A bezoar is a mass found in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the stomach. The mass may consist of hair, plant materials, even drugs - and may become so large they may be life-threatening. Learn what causes bezoars, and types of bezoars found in dogs and cats.
The most commonly encountered bezoar in small animals (cats, rabbits, ferrets) is a trichobezoar, better known as a hairball.
The prefex tricho- is of Greek origin, meaning "hair." Another common finding is a phytobezoar, which is a mass consisting of plant materials and fibers, including seeds and skins.
The origin of the word bezoar is also interesting.
From the Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition:A bezoar is a hard mass, such as a stone or hairball, in the stomach and intestines of animals, esp ruminants, and man: formerly thought to be an antidote to poisons.
[C15: from Old French bézoard , from Arabic bāzahr , from Persian bādzahr , from bād against + zahr poison]
Today we know that bezoars are not antidotes to poisons, but can cause serious health problems, even death. Trichobezoars (hairballs) are commonly found in cats who ingest hair while grooming. Dogs can also have hairballs. Long-haired animals and pets who constantly groom themselves, even to the point of baldness (psychogenic alopecia) are more at risk for developing hairballs.
Learn more: Hairballs - signs, treatment and prevention
