Vomiting in Cats
Vomiting in cats can have several causes. From the simple consequence of eating too much too fast to something more serious, the causes can be pretty varied. Usually, a cat will vomit whenever he has eaten something that he found disagreeable or maybe he just ate too much. But vomiting can also be associated with systemic or gastrointestinal disorders.
Some causes
The following are some potential causes for vomiting in cats. If left untreated or if the cause is too severe, vomiting can become acute.
- Diet (change in diet or food intolerance)
- Bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract
- Foreign bodies (hairball, toys)
- Toxins or hazardous chemicals
- Intestinal parasite
- Pancreatitis
- Viral infections
- Certain medications
When the vomiting in cats is pretty frequent, we could be before a case of chronic vomiting. Some of the causes of chronic vomiting are:
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Colitis
- Gastrointestinal ulceration
- Diaphragmatic hernia
- Liver or kidney failure
- Intestinal obstruction
- Heartworm infection
- Parasite
- Severe constipation
- Lead or other metal’s toxicity
- Gastric or intestinal tumors
There could be so many things that can be causing vomiting in cats that it is hard to diagnose the real cause. But at home, you should be aware of the signs that accompany vomiting:
Watch for:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Blood in vomit
- Weight loss
- Change in appetite
- Frequency of vomiting. If your cat vomits but moments later he is eating normally, then it probably only was a minor obstruction.
Treatment Options
If you have noticed that your cat’s vomiting is not within the normal range, you should take your cat to the veterinarian. Depending on his clinical history and particular symptoms, the vet will run some tests.
The first thing to do is to withhold food and water at least until the vomiting has stopped. After that, water is introduced slowly along with a bland diet. Feed your cat soft food, the same way you would feed a sick baby.
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