Vomiting in cats is not a specific disease; it usually is a sign of a number of different diseases. At the Animal Clinic at Thorndale, our doctors first determine whether the cause of vomiting is more likely to fall into a particular category of causes. These are:
- Vomiting caused by a disorder outside the gastrointestinal tract (systemic disease). Examples of systemic diseases include liver failure, kidney failure, thyroid disease, heartworms, and diabetes mellitus.
- Vomiting caused by a disorder within the gastrointestinal tract or abdomen. Examples of these disorders include intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, inflammatory diseases of the stomach and/or intestinal tract, and cancer.
Clinical Signs
Initially, it must be determined how ill the cat has become as a consequence of the vomiting. When the vomiting has led to more serious problems, any of the following might be noted, and indicate your cat should be seen by your veterinarian.
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- High fever
- Depression
- Bloody vomiting
It is always better to err on the side of caution with cats, especially because they so often can appear normal to an owner when significant disease is present. The frequency of vomiting, type of vomitus, willingness to eat or drink, and the signs above can all be an indication of a more serious concern.
Causes
As noted above, the source of the vomiting (systemic cause vs. gastrointestinal tract) must be determined.
Many cases of vomiting are self-limiting after a few days and the cause may never be determined. Less commonly, vomiting may result from a serious illness. Even when vomiting is caused by mild illnesses, it may lead to death of the animal if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and electrolyte losses.
Diagnosis
If vomiting is associated with several of the above signs, a series of tests may be performed in the hope that a diagnosis will be made. A complete physical examination and history about the cat’s diet, vaccinations, life style, play toys (string containing objects, plastic bags, yarn and thread) thirst, and appetite are all integral to a diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests may include radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, abdominal ultrasound, blood tests, endoscopic examination and possibly biopsies of the stomach and intestinal tract, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include special medications, diets, and/or surgery.
Treatment
In some cases, such as a sudden onset of vomiting, the cause is self-limiting and only supportive care is needed. In this instance, treatment might involve fluid and electrolyte supplementation, medication for nausea, limiting oral intake of food and water, special dietary restrictions, and supplements.
In more serious or protracted cases of vomiting, the animal may need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous administration of fluids, antibiotics, medication for nausea, and observation. It is important to prevent dehydration from developing while additional diagnostics or treatments are underway. Foreign body obstructions require immediate surgery as perforation of a bowel may be imminent.
Prognosis
The prognosis is dependent upon identification and treatment of the underlying cause for the vomiting. In some instances, the problem will be self-limiting or caused by a treatable disease. In other cases, vomiting is a sign of a more serious underlying disorder.
For the less serious cases, we expect improvement within 2-4 days. Only a veterinarian will be able to determine whether your cat needs immediate intervention and hospitalization. Even when thought originally to be a less serious case, if improvement is not seen or the cat continues to deteriorate, please contact us at the Animal Clinic at Thorndale, 610-873-4091, immediately.