Most likely, all cat owners have seen their cat occasionally vomit. It most cases, it is an isolated event and not a cause for alarm. The cat perhaps ate too quickly or got too playful too soon after eating. But, if your cat vomits frequently, there may be a serious cause that needs medical attention.
Signs Your Cat Should Take a Trip to Radford Hills Animal Clinic
No matter how much your cat may resist being put in the carrier for a trip to Radford Hills Animal Clinic, chronic vomiting may be a symptom of a serious medical condition for which medical treatment is available.
Watch for any of these other symptoms so you can provide us with as much information as possible to help in the diagnosis and treatment.
- Lethargy.
- Blood in the vomit or stool.
- Diarrhea.
- Changes in appetite, either an increase or decrease.
- Changes in water consumption.
- Signs of dehydration.
- Weight loss.
- Any recent changes in your cat’s habits or activities.
- Any medication your pet may be taking or any changes in the cat’s diet.
Although non-cat owners often ask how you can tell if a cat is lethargic, cat owners can generally tell the difference in their cat’s behavior and know when it is acting normally by sleeping many hours a day and a cat that is no longer playful, lacks energy, and may even seem depressed.
Possible Medical Conditions that can Cause Chronic Vomiting
There are a number of known causes of chronic vomiting. Some are more serious than others and we will likely need to do some diagnostic tests in order to determine the cause and order appropriate treatment.
The most common causes of chronic vomiting are diseases of the intestinal tract and the stomach. There also may be a disease in other organs, such as the pancreas and gallbladder, that allow toxins to accumulate in the blood and signal the brain vomiting center.
When your cat is chronically vomiting, this also means it is not getting the nutrition it needs to sustain life and is likely losing weight. Chronic vomiting can also lead to the cat inhaling the vomit which can block the airways and lead to upper respiratory problems and even pneumonia.
There are a number of causes for chronic vomiting. Some of the more serious ones include:
- Pancreatitis.
- Various types of cancer, including lymphoma.
- Diabetes.
- Ulcer.
- Various organ failures, like liver and kidneys.
- Viral infections.
- Bacterial infections.
Diagnosis and Treatment If Your Cat Vomits Frequently
Since chronic vomiting is a symptom of an underlying disease, treatment depends on the proper diagnosis. This will involve blood tests and possibly x-rays. After diagnosis, our Doctors will recommend treatment for the underlying condition.
Some treatment options may include:
- Changes in your cat’s diet.
- Certain medications that will control the vomiting.
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is discovered.
- Corticosteroids to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
- Surgery, if a tumor is determined to be the cause.
- Medications for treating specific causes of the chronic vomiting.
- Chemotherapy to treat cancer.
If your cat is experiencing chronic vomiting, do not wait. Contact Radford Hills Animal Clinic for an appointment as soon as possible.