Diagnosing The Cause Of Vomiting In Cats
Your veterinarian will begin by performing a thorough physical examination of your cat. They will check your cats hydration status, listen to your cats heart and lungs, palpate your cats abdomen for any internal abnormalities , and perform a complete nose-to-tail examination.
Based on these physical exam findings, your veterinarian will recommend appropriate diagnostic testing for your cat. Initial testing may include blood tests, fecal parasite testing, urine testing, and/or abdominal radiographs . If these screening tests do not provide a diagnosis, your veterinarian may recommend more targeted testing. Advanced testing for vomiting may include an abdominal ultrasound, a hypoallergenic diet trial , or surgical biopsies of your cats intestines to look for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Determining the cause of vomiting often requires multiple rounds of testing, but this is essential to determine the best treatment plan for your cat. You may be referred to a veterinary specialist for portions of this diagnostic workup, depending on what testing your cat needs.
Chronic And Acute Vomiting In Cats
Throwing up can be separated into two broad categories: chronic and acute vomiting. Chronic vomiting means throwing up with some regularity for a long period of time. The cat usually only vomits once or twice with each occurrence. When a cat who usually doesnt vomit starts vomiting, thats the acute type. This is generally a concern for you and your veterinarian only if the cat vomits multiple times. The diagnostic workup and treatments for acute and chronic vomiting can differ, as does the urgency of when to bring the cat to the veterinarian.
More urgent care is usually required for a cat with acute vomiting. The exception to this is a cat who has only vomited one to three times and is otherwise normal. If the cat still wants to eat and does so without continuing to vomit, is acting normal and seems comfortable, she does not need to be brought to a veterinary hospital unless you know that she ate something toxic.
A chronically vomiting cat should still be seen by a veterinarian, but its not urgent if the cat is still eating and keeping food down, is not showing signs of weakness and seems comfortable. If these things are not true, a chronically vomiting cat is either an acutely vomiting cat or is having an acute crisis of whatever is causing his chronic vomiting.
What Is Acute Cat Vomiting
Acute vomiting refers to a sudden vomiting episode that lasts for 1 to 2 days. Cats with acute vomiting dont usually have other symptoms.
Acute vomiting is a relatively benign condition that more often than not resolves on its own, without treatment. In other words, most acute vomiting episodes are self-limiting.
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Cat Vomiting: When To See A Vet
- Fact Checked
Vomiting in cats is not a minor symptom. Although cat vomit can be harmless in some instances such as the digestive tracts inability to process a foreign substance, or cat hairballs getting stuck in their throat, it could also mean your cats health is in serious risk. In fact, if their condition worsens or becomes chronic, they are at high risk of becoming dehydrated or having normal body functions compromised.
If your cat is vomiting and you do not know whats causing your cat to become sick and their issue only worsens, its time for medical attention.
This article will cover everything you need to know about what causes cats to vomit and when its time to seek professional help. The better you are prepared for this kind of situation, the faster you will be able to treat your furry companion. By educating yourself and keeping a close eye on your cats health, you will be able to be an informed and dependable pet owner throughout your cats life.
The most important thing you can do is to try to identify the cause of his issue. If it is apparent that they consumed too quickly or is caused by a minor complication, it usually means they will be okay. On the other hand, if you assume your cat might have consumed a poisonous substance or his vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms, it is highly advised to seek professional help.
Should I Call The Vet If My Cat Throws Up
You should call your veterinarian right away if:
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Your cat vomits more than two to three times in a row.
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Your cat has other symptoms, such as not eating and diarrhea. If your cat is also having diarrhea, it will be difficult to keep them hydrated without seeing your veterinarian.
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Your cat does not eat or drink for 12 hours and has vomited several times in a row.
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Your cat has already been diagnosed with an illnesses . This is an emergency, and your cat should be seen immediately, as this could mean that their disease is progressing. Early medical intervention is necessary in these patients, as they can become dehydrated very quickly.
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Your cat has vomited a worm. You need to deworm your cat and any other animals in the household as soon as possible. It is also important to keep the environment clean and scoop the litter boxes several times a day to ensure that your pets do not get reinfected.
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How To Prevent Your Dog From Throwing Up Blood
Because there are so many different things that could make your dog throw up blood, theres no way to fully guarantee itll never happen to him. However, according to Fischer, there are things you can do to keep your pup as safe as possible, like:
- Keep a close eye on him when hes playing with his toys to make sure he doesnt swallow anything.
- Keep treats and table scraps to a minimum to avoid giving him an upset stomach.
- Keep toxic things like antifreeze, bleach or medications somewhere he cant get into them.
- Stay on top of his parasite prevention.
- Make sure hes up to date on his vaccines.
- Bring him to the vet for yearly checkups.
If your dogs throwing up blood, it can be pretty scary. But the good news is that now you know what to do about it if it happens, and you can get your dog on the road to recovery ASAP.
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If Your Cat Is Unable To Urinate
If your cat cannot pass urine, that is an emergency! You should contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. This is an issue almost exclusive to male cats. Male cats can become blocked if crystals or stones become lodged in their urethra. It is very rare for a female cat to be blocked. Female cats may strain to urinate if they have a urinary tract infection, crystals in their urine, or bladder stones. They should still be examined as soon as possible, but it is rarely an emergency.
Symptoms your cat may have a urethral blockage or an inflammatory process making urination difficult or painful:
- Straining to urinate but producing no urine
- Sitting in the litter box and vocalizing while attempting to urinate
- Licking at their genitals frequently
- Vomiting and lethargy
Complete blockage of the urinary tract in a cat can cause death in 3 to 6 days or even sooner and is an immediate emergency.
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Food For Cat With Vomiting:
A cat can vomit for several reasons. If your cat vomits chronic and acutely, you should diet. Try to give your food that is easily digestible and has high energy. Providing human food such as meat flavored baby food or boiled to the cat. These are not the complete food for the cat but they can help.
If changing the diet does not improve the situation you should contact your vet as soon as possible.
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About Dr Sarah Wooten Dvm Cvj
A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and printanimal health publications. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience insmall animal veterinary practice. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.
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When Does A Cat Vomiting Need Veterinary Attention
Most cat owners have experienced the unpleasant sensation of cat sick between the toes on a nighttime bathroom trip, or as a nice addition to your favourite rug. Vomiting is the active expulsion of stomach contents, which in cats can be violent, and may have many causes. It needs to be differentiated from regurgitation: where food is brought up with minimal effort from the oesophagus before ever reaching the stomach.
You may see warnings signs such as drooling, swallowing, licking their lips more, or hiding away. Short-term vomiting consisting of one or two episodes, or lasting less than 24 hours, in an otherwise healthy cat is usually nothing to worry about.
What Can I Do If My Cat Is Being Sick
If your cat has been sick once or twice but otherwise appears well:
- Remove food for two hours, but continue to provide water
- After this time, try offering a teaspoon of their usual food or bland low-fat cooked food such as chicken or white fish
- If they keep this down, offer small amounts every few hours for thenext 24 hours
- Then go back to your usual routine
If this does not resolve the sickness and you are concerned about your cat vomiting repeatedly, call your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vet Now emergency clinic or 24/7 hospital immediately.
You should also contact your vet if:
- Your cat cannot keep water down
- Has blood or unusual material in her vomit
- Has pale or cold gums
- Is displaying signs of listlessness, diarrhoea, fever, or another illness
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What Do I Do If My Cat Is Sick
If your cat is sick once or twice but appears otherwise well, remove their food for a few hours, then feed small amounts of a highly digestible food such as chicken, or a prescription diet from your vet. Allow them constant access to a small amount of water. After 24 hours go back to your usual routine.
Can I Treat My Cats Vomiting At Home
There are no over-the-counter treatments that can be given at home to prevent or treat feline vomiting. Many human medications are toxic to cats, which can result in problems that are even worse than the vomiting that you are trying to treat. Resist the temptation to use home remedies. Instead, involve your veterinarian and follow their recommendations.
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When To Take Your Cat To The Emergency Vet
Is your cat in the middle of a crisis, leaving you unsure of what to do next? Or are you just trying to do some research to help you better understand how to care for your feline friend if anything unexpected should happen? As a cat owner, you dont want to think about having to rush your pet to the emergency vet. However, this is sometimes an unfortunate necessity, and its good to know which conditions and situations might require a trip to the emergency vet in the middle of the night.
Check out the information below to educate yourself on cat emergencies. Understand that this list is not a comprehensive one, but it does cover most of the basics and should give you an idea of how to respond if something is going wrong with your cat. This information can help you prepare for the worst, even though you will hopefully never have to face this type of situation.
If Your Cat Has An Allergic Reaction
Luckily most allergic reactions in cats are mild and are not life-threatening. But cats can have severe anaphylactic reactions just like people.
The most common causes of these types of severe reactions are from bee or wasp stings, spider bites, medications, or even vaccines. A true anaphylactic reaction requires absolute immediate attention by your veterinarian or the Animal ER hospital.
Signs of an allergic/anaphylactic reaction in your cat:
- Sudden collapse
- Pale or bluish mucous membranes
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
This is only a partial list of some of the more common cat emergencies. You are the best judge of your pets health. If you think something is an emergency, then it is, and the best thing you can do is call your vet or emergency clinic. They are there to help decide if your pet should be seen immediately. It is always better to be safe and have things checked out rather than wait. It could mean the difference between life and death for your beloved animal companion.
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Is A Cat Throwing Up An Emergency
Vomiting itself is not an emergency condition in cats, but many vomiting episodes within a couple of hours can be. Vomiting has many different underlying causes and can result in dehydration if left untreated. If you are concerned about the amount or frequency of vomiting, call and speak with the vet.
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When Should You Be Concerned About Your Cat Throwing Up White Foam
A single episode of vomiting isnt necessarily serious, as long as your cat is eating well and acting otherwise normally. After a single, isolated episode of vomiting that is not accompanied by any other clinical signs, you can probably hold off on calling your veterinarian. Monitor your cat closely, ensuring that there are no further episodes of vomiting or other signs of illness.
If your cats vomiting persists for longer than 24 hours, or if you notice other signs of illness , your cat needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian.
There are many potential causes of vomiting in cats. Trying to figure out the cause of your cats vomiting by yourself, or through internet research, is likely to be an exercise in futility. A physical examination and laboratory tests are usually needed to determine the cause of a cats vomiting.
In addition to arriving at a diagnosis, your veterinarian can treat potential complications of vomiting. Repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration, requiring fluid therapy for rehydration. Additionally, vomiting cats can develop hepatic lipidosis if they do not eat adequate amounts of food. Your veterinarian can assess your cats hydration, determine whether fluid therapy is needed, and address your cats vomiting to prevent further fluid loss and reduce the risk of hepatic lipidosis.
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Causes Of Cat Throwing Up To Treat At Home
Hairballs can be blamed for the majority of feline vomiting. When a cat grooms himself, he accidentally ingests strands of his own hair. Because the hair cannot be broken down in the feline stomach, it builds up, forming a plug. As a result, the cat will retch, in an effort to pass the hairball.
Hairballs in and of themselves should not be a cause for alarm, so don’t necessarily call a vet. Most cats naturally cough up two hairballs a month. However, if you know that your cat is prone to hairballs and is experiencing constipation, you should visit your vet. This can be a sign that the hairball has become an obstruction in your cat’s bowels.
Vomiting after over-eating or eating too fast is another easily treated cause of throwing up. If your cat is competing with other pets for food, use a separate bowl, or feed your cat at separate times. This will reduce the stress of eating, which allows your cat to eat slowly, removing the impetus to vomit.
A rapid change in diet may cause feline vomiting, because the new food isn’t recognizable. Switch to the older food and gradually introduce the new food, in order to familiarize your cat with the new diet.
Checklist: What To Note & Take To The Vet
If it is time to take your cat to the vet here is a checklist of things to observe, and information to bring with you:-
- What did the vomit look like ?
- When did he/she start vomiting, how many times, and when was the most recent episode?
- Any medication your cat is taking
- Any changes to your cat’s environment
- Any recent changes to your cat’s food/diet
- Any other recent behaviour or health changes
- If your cat has diarrhoea, then bring a sample
- Any recent household spills or accidents
- Any new toys or items of interest they may have
Cats are masters of disguise, particularly when it comes to illness. Your role in noticing the most subtle of changes is imperative to picking up any problems early and can help prevent further illness and discomfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any concerns.
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Blood Or Bile In Vomit
If there is red or black blood in your pets vomit, make an immediate call to the vet. Vomiting blood is not normal and could be related to something more serious.
Dogs sometimes vomit a sticky, foul-smelling green or yellow substance. Its a combination of saliva, stomach contents, and bile from the liver and gallbladder. This is definitely something that requires a visit to the vet.
Both blood and bile in vomit can be signs of an array of health issues, some more serious than others. These include:
- Gastritis from eating garbage