Cat vomiting can be an isolated episode caused by an upset stomach. However, chronic vomiting can be an alarming symptom of a more severe disease. Cat vomiting can be treated, but the focus is to treat the underlying cause and stop vomiting. Special attention must be paid to the hydration of a cat that is vomiting, because dehydration can be severe and may even be fatal in weaker cats or kittens.
Diagnosing Cat Vomiting
Before applying any treatment you need to look into your cat’s condition. If your cat is vomiting and has no other symptoms, he is most likely suffering from an upset stomach or simply needs to throw up a hairball. If your cat is less active than usual, this might be a symptom. If there is blood in the vomit, this should also be an alarming sign.
Lack of appetite, weight loss, fever, diarrhea and pale gums are also symptoms that need to be looked at by your vet. The vet will gather all symptoms and run some blood tests, perform an ultrasound and determine what might be wrong with your cat.
Antibiotics for Infections
Gastrointestinal infections can cause your cat to throw up. Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. Antibiotics are administered for 7 to 10 days, on average.
Activated Charcoal
If the cat is vomiting due to poisoning, the vet will immediately administer some activated charcoal. The charcoal is meant to absorb the toxins from the cat’s stomach before they enter the bloodstream.
Anti-Nauseants
If the cat has an upset stomach or intestinal problems, the vet may prescribe anti-nauseants, which will calm your pet’s stomach or intestinal tract.
Dewormers
In many cases, chronic vomiting is caused by parasites that lodge in the pet’s intestine. Parasites will also cause diarrhea and are sometimes visible in the cat’s stool. A vet can easily detect the parasites and prescribe treatment. Dewormers will eliminate these parasites.
Fluid Therapy
Cats that vomit often need fluid therapy to prevent dehydration. The fluids will be administered under the skin of the cat or directly into the veins.
Surgery
Vomiting can be triggered by the ingestion of an object such as a toy or beads. Don’t try to remove these objects at home, as you may end up hurting your cat. In case your pet doesn’t cough up the object, go to the vet.
The vet will try to extract the foreign object from your pet’s throat with tweezers, but in some cases surgery will be needed. After the removal of the foreign object, the cat will be healthy again. Failing to remove the object can cause breathing problems and even death.
Pain Medication
If your pet is in pain, the vet will prescribe pain medication on top of the usual treatment.
Vomiting is not a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Consequently, the treatment options will vary according to the underlying cause. More severe conditions that can cause cat vomiting include liver and kidney disease, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), cancer and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).