Dealing with a cat who vomits can be unsettling for any pet owner. If you’re asking yourself, “Why My Cat Keeps Vomiting?”, you’re in the right place to understand more about this common feline issue. Vomiting in cats isn’t always a cause for immediate panic, but persistent or severe vomiting definitely warrants attention. This guide will walk you through the potential reasons behind your cat’s vomiting, what different types of vomit might indicate, and the diagnostic and treatment options your veterinarian might recommend.
Decoding Your Cat’s Vomit: What Does It Mean?
The appearance of your cat’s vomit can offer initial clues, although it’s rarely a definitive diagnosis in itself. Observing the characteristics of the vomit can give your vet a starting point for investigation. Here’s a breakdown of what different types of cat vomit might suggest:
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Yellow Vomit: Often containing bile, yellow vomit can be a sign of liver issues. However, it’s also commonly seen when a cat vomits on an empty stomach. Sometimes, it can simply mean your cat ingested something yellow.
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Clear Vomit: Clear vomit can indicate regurgitation, possibly originating from the esophagus or simply an empty stomach. It might just be stomach fluids.
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White, Foamy Vomit: Similar to clear vomit, white and foamy vomit is frequently associated with regurgitation or vomiting from an empty stomach. The foamy texture comes from air mixing with stomach fluids.
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Blood in Vomit (Hematemesis): The presence of fresh, red blood in the vomit signals bleeding from somewhere in the upper digestive tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. This is always a serious sign and requires veterinary attention.
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Coffee-Ground Vomit: Vomit that looks like coffee grounds indicates digested blood. This is a sign of bleeding in the stomach, often associated with stomach ulcers. It’s crucial to seek veterinary care immediately if you observe this type of vomit.
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Brown, Smelly Vomit: This type of vomit can be due to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but it can also simply result from your cat eating something brown and, well, smelly. The odor can be particularly foul due to digested blood or fecal matter if the vomiting is severe.
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Undigested Food in Vomit: Seeing undigested food in your cat’s vomit suggests that the food hasn’t properly moved from the stomach. This can occur due to food intolerances or allergies, gastrointestinal obstructions, or any condition causing irritation in the upper digestive tract. Noting when your cat last ate is vital in this case. For example, if your cat hasn’t eaten in a day and vomits undigested food, it could point to a serious issue like an obstruction or a motility disorder.
Alt text: A concerned cat owner observing their sick cat lying on the floor, highlighting the worry associated with feline vomiting.
Veterinary Examination: The First Step to Diagnosis
If your cat is persistently vomiting, a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian is the next essential step. Your vet will check for various signs, including:
- Abdominal Pain: Palpating the abdomen can reveal tenderness or discomfort, indicating potential inflammation or other issues.
- Abdominal Masses: The vet will feel for any abnormal lumps or masses in the abdomen that could be tumors or other growths.
- Foreign Bodies: They will check for any obvious foreign objects, sometimes even checking under the tongue for strings or linear foreign bodies, which are common in cats.
- Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss can be a significant indicator of underlying health problems contributing to vomiting.
- Heart Murmurs: Heart conditions can sometimes be linked to gastrointestinal symptoms, so listening to the heart is part of a complete exam.
- Enlarged Thyroid Gland: Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats that can cause vomiting, and an enlarged thyroid gland can be a telltale sign.
- Fever: A fever can indicate infection or inflammation, which could be causing the vomiting.
This physical exam, combined with your detailed history of your cat’s vomiting episodes, will guide your veterinarian in determining which diagnostic tests, if any, are needed to understand why your cat keeps vomiting.
Diagnostic Tests: Uncovering the Reasons Behind Vomiting
Depending on the initial examination findings, your veterinarian might recommend several diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause of your cat’s vomiting. Common initial tests include:
Abdominal X-rays and Blood Work
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X-rays (Radiographs): Abdominal X-rays are often the first line of imaging. They can reveal crucial information such as:
- Abnormalities in organ size and shape.
- Foreign bodies that are radiopaque (visible on X-rays).
- Tumors or masses.
- Constipation or intestinal blockages.
- Other structural abnormalities not detectable during a physical exam.
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Blood Work and Urinalysis: A complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry panel, along with a urinalysis, are vital for assessing overall organ function and detecting metabolic disorders. Blood work can help diagnose:
- Organ dysfunction, particularly of the liver and kidneys.
- Endocrine disorders like diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism, both of which can cause vomiting.
- Exposure to certain toxins, although specific toxin tests are often limited.
Urinalysis, performed alongside blood work, is essential for diagnosing conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections, all of which can manifest with vomiting.
Alt text: A veterinarian gently taking a blood sample from a calm cat, representing a common diagnostic step when a cat keeps vomiting.
Advanced Imaging and Procedures
If initial tests are inconclusive, or if they suggest more complex issues, further diagnostic steps may include:
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Barium Study: A barium study involves giving the cat barium sulfate, a contrast agent, orally or via a feeding tube, and then taking a series of X-rays. This helps visualize the gastrointestinal tract in motion and can identify:
- Foreign bodies that are not radiopaque.
- Motility problems within the intestines.
- Obstructions or strictures in the digestive tract.
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Ultrasound: Abdominal ultrasound provides a detailed view of the internal organs. It’s excellent for assessing the architecture of organs like the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and intestines. Ultrasound can also guide biopsies of these organs for definitive diagnosis if needed.
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Endoscopy: Endoscopy involves using a flexible scope with a camera to visualize the inside of the stomach, upper intestines, or colon. It’s highly useful for:
- Detecting and sometimes removing foreign objects in the stomach that X-rays might miss.
- Examining the lining of the stomach and intestines for inflammation, ulcers, or tumors.
- Collecting biopsy samples of the gastrointestinal tract for microscopic examination.
Exploratory Surgery: When Necessary
In cases of persistent vomiting where other diagnostics are inconclusive, or when a serious condition like a foreign body obstruction is strongly suspected, exploratory surgery might be necessary. This is considered both a diagnostic and potentially therapeutic procedure.
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Acute Vomiting: In acute cases, especially if a foreign body is suspected but not confirmed by imaging, surgery might be urgently needed to locate and remove the obstruction.
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Chronic Vomiting: For chronic vomiting, exploratory surgery allows for a thorough examination of the entire intestinal tract and other abdominal organs. During surgery, biopsies can be taken from the:
- Intestines
- Stomach
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Lymph nodes
- Any other abnormal-looking tissues
These biopsies are crucial for diagnosing conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal cancer (lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, etc.), or non-gastrointestinal abdominal diseases affecting the digestive system.
Surgery versus endoscopy is often debated. Surgery allows for a full thickness biopsy and assessment of the entire GI tract and other organs, while endoscopy is less invasive and typically less expensive. Recovery from endoscopy is also significantly faster than from exploratory surgery. However, surgery provides a more comprehensive diagnostic view in certain complex cases.
Treatment Options for Vomiting Cats
Treatment for a cat who keeps vomiting is highly dependent on the underlying cause. While specific treatments vary widely, some general approaches are commonly used:
Fluid Therapy
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Subcutaneous (SQ) Fluids: For mild cases of vomiting without significant dehydration, subcutaneous fluid administration (fluids given under the skin) can be beneficial. It helps to:
- Flush out potential toxins.
- Maintain hydration, as vomiting cats are often mildly dehydrated from fluid loss and reduced water intake.
- Address mild dehydration and prevent it from worsening.
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Intravenous (IV) Fluids: In cases of moderate to severe dehydration, weakness, or when the cat is unable to keep down oral fluids, IV fluid therapy is often necessary. IV fluids are administered directly into a vein via a catheter, allowing for:
- Rapid rehydration.
- Administration of larger volumes of fluids.
- Better absorption compared to subcutaneous fluids in severely dehydrated animals.
While IV fluids are more effective in severe cases, they are also more expensive and require hospitalization.
Anti-Emetic Medications
Anti-emetics are medications specifically designed to stop vomiting. They are a cornerstone of symptomatic treatment for most types of vomiting in cats. These medications:
- Help control vomiting, reducing further fluid loss and discomfort.
- Can alleviate nausea and abdominal discomfort associated with vomiting.
- May improve appetite by controlling nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes, stomach protectants like famotidine (Pepcid) or sucralfate may be used, although their effectiveness in cats is debated. They are generally safe and may provide some benefit in certain cases. Pain medication might also be added if anti-emetics alone don’t provide adequate pain relief.
Dietary Management
Dietary changes are a critical component of managing both acute and chronic vomiting in cats.
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Acute Vomiting: For acute, uncomplicated vomiting, a temporary switch to a highly digestible diet is often recommended. Examples include:
- Prescription diets like Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy, Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d.
- Bland homemade diets such as plain, cooked chicken (no skin or bones) or meat-based baby food (ensure it contains no onion or garlic powder, which are toxic to cats).
These bland diets are gentle on the digestive system and easier to digest. However, they are not nutritionally complete for long-term use and should only be used for a few days.
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Chronic Vomiting: For cats with chronic vomiting, dietary changes can be both therapeutic and diagnostic. A food trial with a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diet can help identify food sensitivities or allergies. Prescription diets or limited-ingredient diets are essential to ensure nutritional completeness and balance during a food trial. It’s crucial to maintain the cat on the new diet for several weeks (typically 8-12 weeks) to assess its effectiveness in controlling vomiting.
Alt text: A healthy cat happily eating from a food bowl, representing the goal of dietary management to resolve vomiting issues and ensure proper nutrition.
Prednisone and Other Medications
In cases where inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is suspected as the cause of chronic vomiting, or in certain other inflammatory conditions, prednisone (a corticosteroid) might be considered. However, prednisone is not a first-line treatment and is typically used after other causes have been ruled out or when specific diagnostics point towards IBD.
Important Note: Prednisone has significant side effects, including increased thirst and urination, increased appetite, potential immune system suppression, and muscle weakness. It can also worsen certain conditions like pancreatitis, diabetes, and kidney disease. Prednisone should never be used without veterinary guidance and prior diagnostics.
If blood work and X-rays are normal, and further diagnostics are declined due to cost or other reasons, a trial of prednisone might be discussed with your veterinarian as a potential treatment for presumed IBD. A thorough discussion of the risks and benefits is crucial before starting prednisone therapy.
In conclusion, if your cat keeps vomiting, it’s essential to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. While it can be concerning, understanding the potential reasons and available options can help you provide the best possible care for your feline companion.
