What Are the Treatments for Cats That Are Vomiting?
Seeing your cat vomit can be traumatic. As his owner, you wonder what you can do for your feline companion. There are some things you can do to help him feel better, but remember, cats that are vomiting can be seriously ill or they can simply be suffering from indigestion. Finding the cause is essential as you work to make your cat more comfortable.
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Identifying Vomiting
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According to Pets Health, a website maintained by the Columbia Animal Hospital, cats frequently regurgitate, and this requires no treatment and is not a cause for concern. Regurgitating is not preceded by heaving, does not contain digested food and bile, and happens almost instantly after eating. Vomiting is characterized by the presence of bile, heaving, and bits of undigested food. True vomiting causes abdominal muscle contractions, retching, gagging and a forceful ejection of the stomach contents.
Causes of Vomiting in Cats
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Identifying the cause of vomiting, if possible, will help determine the most appropriate treatment. According to Dr. Mike Richards of vetinfo.com, cats often vomit because they overeat. Sometimes a cat vomits because of a reaction to something in the diet, such as a new food or the ingestion of a foreign object. Parasites also can cause vomiting, as can hairballs. More serious causes of vomiting are heatstroke, renal failure, infections, liver disease and pancreatitis. Only a vet can diagnose non-dietary causes of vomiting.
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When to Seek Medical Care
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An occasional bout of vomiting in cats is not cause for concern. However, repeated vomiting is a condition that should be diagnosed by a qualified veterinarian. Also, any time a cat that is vomiting appears lethargic and as if he is in pain, a call to the vet is in order. If the cat has a bloated abdomen, the vomit is foul smelling, or it is accompanied by diarrhea, call the vet. If you suspect your cat has been poisoned, take him to the vet immediately.
Treatment at Home
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Once the vet has ruled out any serious medical condition, treat your cat's vomiting at home by adjusting his diet. According to Veterinary Associates, a Tulsa, Oklahoma, veterinary services provider, owners should withhold food for 24 to 36 hours to allow whatever is in his system to clear. Then, introduce mild food, starting with 50 percent rice and 50 percent boiled boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If the cat tolerates this well, introduce his regular food gradually until he is back on his normal diet.
Medical Intervention
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Medical intervention may be necessary to help vomiting cats. If the cat has ingested something, like a toy or piece of string, it may need to be surgically removed. If the vomit will not stop, an injection can calm the cat's stomach and lessen the vomiting. If the vomiting has an underlying cause, like a parasite, cancer or infection, then the cause will be addressed first. If none of these treatments works, but the cat continues to vomit, the vet probably will recommend switching the cat's food to one that is low in fat and easy to digest.
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- Photo Credit Agata Urbaniak
