04/24/2026
Fox had always been a collector. Not of toys or treats—but of hair ties. The tiny, stretchy treasures were simply irresistible to a curious orange cat with a talent for mischief. One by one, they disappeared… as if by magic.
Until one day, Fox didn’t feel quite like himself.
After being seen at an urgent care, Fox was referred to East Carolina Animal Emergency (ECAE) for further evaluation. His family knew something wasn’t right—and they were absolutely correct. Imaging revealed the truth behind the missing hair ties: they were tangled together inside his GI tract, creating a dangerous obstruction.
What followed was a different kind of adventure for this orange explorer.
Our surgical team stepped in, carefully and methodically removing each hair tie—one after another—freeing his intestines from the stretchy trap. It was delicate, meticulous work, but Fox handled it like the brave boy he is.
And the best part?
Fox is now back home, feeling so much better, and (we hope) officially retired from his hair tie collecting days.
His story is a reminder that even the smallest household items can turn into big emergencies—especially for clever cats who like to keep their own “collections.”
We’re so grateful the urgent care team helped get Fox where he needed to be, and that his family trusted us with his care. And we’re incredibly proud of this handsome orange boy for his strength through it all. 🧡
Moral of the story: If your cat is a known collector… it might be time to start counting what’s missing.
