Cat Vomiting: What Medicine Works Best and Fastest?

Cat vomiting is a common symptom, not a disease in itself, but it’s a frequent occurrence in the feline world. Sometimes a cat might vomit once or twice and be back to its usual self the next day. Other times, the vomiting might be infrequent, but the cat becomes increasingly lethargic. So, when should you take your furry friend to the vet?

Vomiting serves as a protective mechanism, particularly in cats. The causes can be physiological or pathological. These include gastrointestinal disturbances, problems with other abdominal organs, systemic or metabolic diseases, and drug poisoning. Pathological vomiting can lead to reduced blood volume, pH and electrolyte imbalances, esophagitis, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition.

Young, unvaccinated cats should be suspected of having infectious diseases. Older cats should be evaluated for kidney dysfunction, tumors, or endocrine issues.

Understanding the Causes of Vomiting

Dietary Issues: Food type, diet changes, or overeating can cause immediate post-meal vomiting. Vomiting undigested or semi-digested food 8-10 hours after eating may indicate gastric emptying obstruction caused by foreign bodies, mucosal hypertrophy, tumors, polyps, or primary gastric motility issues. Vomiting bile-colored liquid in the morning can suggest gastrointestinal reflux syndrome.

Vomit Analysis: Vomit containing undigested food suggests a gastric origin, while digested vomit with bile suggests an intestinal origin. A fecal odor suggests lower intestinal obstruction or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Bile indicates the absence of pyloric obstruction. Blood in the vomit (fresh or occult) suggests gastric erosion or ulcers, tumors, uremia, or ulcers related to adrenal insufficiency or metabolic issues.

A thorough oral examination is important to rule out other problems. Jaundice, uremic breath, ulcers, or linear foreign bodies at the base of the tongue may indicate the root of the problem. These foreign bodies can even enter the intestines, causing blockage and intussusception.

Diagnostic Tests and Considerations

Fever: Indicates infection.

Heart Rate: Slow heart rate or arrhythmia in a vomiting animal can indicate a metabolic disorder (adrenal insufficiency).

Abdominal Palpation: Distension or tympany suggests gastric dilatation or torsion. Check for effusions (peritonitis), masses, or organomegaly (tumors, intussusception, or foreign bodies) and pain (peritonitis, pancreatitis, or intestinal obstruction). Gas or fluid accumulation in the intestines suggests obstruction, often caused by linear foreign bodies leading to intussusception.

Rectal Examination: Provides information on colonic mucosa and stool characteristics. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can cause melena (black, tarry stools). Colitis or obstipation can also cause vomiting.

Neurological Issues: Vomiting of unknown origin may be neurologically related, particularly with vestibular symptoms (nystagmus, head tilt, ataxia). Intervertebral disc disease can cause vomiting due to pain or secondary ileus.

Immediate Actions and When to Seek Veterinary Care

Acute vomiting can be self-limiting and treated symptomatically. Most cases are related to dietary indiscretion. Fecal examination is necessary to rule out parasites. Ethylene glycol poisoning initially presents as acute vomiting, followed by kidney failure, so environmental toxin exposure should be investigated. Unvaccinated young cats should be tested for feline distemper (panleukopenia), which often starts with vomiting followed by diarrhea. Imaging is needed for intestinal gas or fluid accumulation to rule out gastric dilatation-volvulus, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, or obstructions. Severe acute vomiting accompanied by systemic symptoms requires laboratory and imaging tests.

Medications to Consider

While it’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian before administering any medication, here are some common categories of drugs that might be used to treat vomiting in cats, depending on the underlying cause:

Antiemetics: These medications directly address the symptom of vomiting.

Maropitant (Cerenia): A commonly used antiemetic that blocks the action of substance P, a neurotransmitter involved in vomiting. It’s effective for various causes of vomiting.

Metoclopramide: Helps with gastric emptying and reduces nausea.

Ondansetron: A potent antiemetic often used for chemotherapy-induced vomiting or severe nausea.

Gastroprotectants: These medications help to protect the stomach lining and reduce inflammation.

Sucralfate: Forms a protective barrier over ulcers and irritated areas in the stomach.

H2 Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Famotidine, Ranitidine): Reduce stomach acid production.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g., Omeprazole): Also reduce stomach acid production, often used for more severe cases.

Prokinetics: These drugs help to stimulate the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Cisapride: This medication promotes gastrointestinal motility.

Antibiotics: If the vomiting is caused by a bacterial infection.

Metronidazole: Treats anaerobic bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract.

Amoxicillin: A broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used for various bacterial infections.

Deworming Medications: Because some parasites can cause vomiting.

Fenbendazole: It works by binding to the parasite’s beta-tubulin protein, disrupting its cellular structure and function.

Fluid Therapy: Dehydration is a common consequence of persistent vomiting, so intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may be necessary.

Pain Relievers: If the underlying cause of the vomiting is painful.

Buprenorphine: This is a strong opioid pain reliever used for moderate to severe pain.

Digestive Enzymes Aids in breaking down the food in the stomach, and helping the cat digest.

Managing Chronic Vomiting

Chronic vomiting (lasting 5-7 days or unresponsive to symptomatic treatment) requires further investigation. Check for blood in the vomit, and consider the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the presence of gastric tumors or systemic mastocytosis. If vomiting blood, measure serum gastrin levels (elevated in gastrinomas). Image and explore any palpable masses. Routine laboratory and imaging tests can often determine the cause and guide treatment. Special tests for cats include serum viral and heartworm tests, thyroid and adrenal function tests, and bile acid tests.

If non-gastrointestinal causes are ruled out, consider gastrointestinal causes, using endoscopy, contrast radiography, ultrasound, or exploratory laparotomy. Inflammatory lesions are the most common cause of chronic vomiting, such as Helicobacter gastritis or colitis. In cats, inflammatory bowel disease often manifests as vomiting. Endoscopy can diagnose pyloric mucosal hypertrophy, polyps, foreign bodies, or tumors. Gastric emptying obstruction with dilatation can be diagnosed with imaging. Rule out obstructive intestinal lesions (foreign bodies, intussusception, and tumors) before considering gastrointestinal dysmotility.

Additional Therapeutic Strategies

Dietary Management: For food intolerance or allergy, use hypoallergenic prescription diets. Novel protein diets are often helpful in managing food sensitivities.

Surgery: For gastrointestinal foreign bodies, obstructions, or intussusception.

Specific Treatments: For hepatitis, bile duct or gallbladder stones, or pancreatitis.

An Example Case

If a cat is vomiting yellow fluid and has diarrhea, rule out feline panleukopenia first, then focus on treating the gastrointestinal tract.

The Importance of Veterinary Care

It’s crucial to remember that this information is for general knowledge only. Never self-diagnose or treat your cat without consulting a veterinarian. They can perform the necessary examinations, tests, and provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your cat’s specific needs. Prompt and professional veterinary care will ensure the best possible outcome for your feline companion.