My Cat Is Vomiting
Help, My Cat Is Vomiting!
Vomiting in cats is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the cat and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in cats, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.
What is vomiting?
Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.
Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, or hairballs), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.
How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?
Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.
Causes of vomiting
The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.
However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:
1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)
2. Stomach ulceration
3. Stomach cancer
4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)
5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)
Possible causes within the intestine include:
1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)
2. Worms
3. Inflammatory bowel disease
4. Intestinal cancer
Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:
1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)
2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity), especially FIP (feline infectious peritonitis)
3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
4. Kidney failure
5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)
6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)
Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.
Treatment of vomiting
Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the cat is only vomiting occasionally, is active and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some cats with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.
For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the cat for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the cat should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as soft canned food, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.
Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly. Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as cats can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.
Managing the vomiting cat
There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting cat:
1. Identify the underlying cause
2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner
In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.
A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the cat is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).
The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the cats rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the cat is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the cat for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the cat closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.
If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.
The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.
The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the cat gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.
Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting
1. Stomach protectants and antacids
These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).
2. Metoclopromide
This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to cats that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.
3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)
These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.
4. Antihistamines
Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.
5. Domperidone
Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.
6. Maropitant
This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.
Frequently Asked Questions
- QUESTION:
Why is my cat vomiting his food?
We have 2 cats: a male who grazes a little at a time (as far as we know) & a younger female who eats as much & as fast as she can constantly. We noticed for a few months that one of our cats would occasionally vomit up the dry food but it was completely whole & not yet digested. We thought it was the female since she eats so fast & so often, but this morning I heard one of the cats vomiting & found out it was our male cat & the vomit was whole, non digested dry food.We give them about a half cup each day of dry food which they may or may not eat all of & we give them a quarter of a small canned food at night every other day. The male loves the can food but usually doesn't eat all of it, while the female will eat all of hers & finish his (when he's done). I don't know why he's vomiting since he only eats when he's hungry & doesn't eat fast or that much.
This doesn't happen very often, but I would say at least a month. Could this be caused by a hairball (he is very fluffy) or is he sick? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Side note: he acts fine before & after vomiting. He is still just as playful as he has been & I haven't noticed any temperament changes.- ANSWER:
- QUESTION:
What does my cat vomiting and losing hair mean?
My 4 year old cat, who we took in from being outside in December is vomiting at least once a day right after his meals. This has been happening for at least a month. He is also losing alot of hair. He does NOT have bald patches, but we are constantly finding large tufts of hair all over the house. We have to vacuum everyday. He has always been a very fluffy cat and still is but seems to be losing alot of his thickness. At first we thought it was because he didnt need all his fur since he was now inside but it hasnt stoped. Are the two of these things put together any sympotoms for anything? If not I need some advice on both.- ANSWER:
It is really hard to know what is exactly going on. I always recommend that if anything is out of the ordinary with your pets you need to see a profession that can give you the right advice for the condition.Don't delay your cat is quite clearly unwell and Alopecia (Hair loss) can be a result from sickness, stress or skin conditions.
Be a responsible owner and get it checked out
- ANSWER:
- QUESTION:
Is FortiFlora probiotic supplement effective in treating cat vomiting?
My vet suggested Purina FortiFlora probiotic supplement to treat my cat's chronic vomiting. But when I looked it up online, the product descriptions only specify its use for diarrhea. Is the vet just trying to make a sale or could that actually be an effective treatment for vomiting?- ANSWER:
He's not completely offbase. Probiotics can be used to help with digestive issues. Doesn't necessarily matter which end it's coming out of.So he's not completely offbase, although probiotics is only one option.
For digestive issues, it's best to find a food that agrees with your cat. Then you don't have to rely on any supplements to provide the basics for him.
But if it comes down to needing something, then you can try probiotics or you can try digestive enzymes. DE's help cats digest all the extra carbs that are put in inferior cat foods.
From my blog:
Probiotics:
1. Jarrow Pet Dophilus (powder) http://www.cheapvitamins.com/Product/Pet-Dophilus-2oz.aspx?gclid=CPm3-8Sxo5EC...
2. UAS Labs Probioplus DDS (capsules) http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=1695
3. Vitamin Shoppe Ultimate 10 Probiotic (capsules) http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=VS-2164
4. MultiAcidophilus with FOS - 4 billion active cells, non dairy (Natural Factors) http://www.luckyvitamin.com/068958018409.html
5. Sedona Labs, iFlora Multi-Probiotic Powder
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=7408&at=0
6. Garden of Life Primal Defense
http://www.garden-of-life.biz/primal-defense.phpProbiotics can aid with digestion. They can be useful when dealing with gas or loose stool. Per my new vet, probiotics are a good thing to add to any cat's diet. She recommends using them only 2-3 times per week rather than daily, and not necessarily in the recommended amount (meaning less not more).
When you start using them, you should add just a pinch to the food, and then gradually increase that if the cat is tolerating it without any smelly side effects.
Dosage: I'm not measuring it, but I guess I add about 1/4 tsp. I dispense this 3 days per week.
My vet also suggested varying the brands from time to time. As you finish one bottle, try another.
How to choose: My vet also suggested not using one made for humans only because it may not be the right kind of bacteria. Avoid Saccharomyces boulardii which is from yeast. It should be dairy free, contain more than one type of bacteria, have a high number of organisms and few additives. The first two listed above are the ones I've chosen to use. They were recommended by the users in Whole Cat Health. The other two were also suggested by users of that group, but not as highly.
For digestive enzymes, Dr. Goodpet is a good brand. Get the one that doesn't have lactose. Prozyme is another good one. Actually, this might be the one that has lactose....but there's a variety that doesn't.
- ANSWER:
- QUESTION:
Why is my cat coughing/choking and vomiting a white foamy substance?
I woke up this morning to the sound of my cat making a terrible retching noise. I've heard cats vomit before but it never sounded like this, kind of a like a combination of choking and coughing. She retched a couple of times without anything coming out, but the third time she retched, some white, foamy stuff came out of her mouth. I watched her for about another hour to see if she was ok and she seemed fine so I left for work. When I came home from work she seemed ok at first but then she did the retching thing after I'd been home about an hour. There was no vomiting that time, but she looked like she was about to.Does anyone know what might be causing this? I looked into her mouth/throat but didn't see anything in there. There is nothing in the vomit, no food or hair or anything, it's just white and foamy/mucousy. She is 2 years old and up to date on her shots. Do I need to get her to a vet right away or will it be OK to wait for a few days and see if this keeps recurring?
I'm pretty sure she doesn't have rabies. She is an indoor cat and her behavior is normal other than the retching. I did get a kitten a few weeks and the cat has been licking her a lot so she is probably ingesting more hair than she is used to, so hairballs could be the problem.
My cat is eating and drinking fine, meowing like normal (she's a talker), basically acting like nothing is wrong. I decided not to take her to the vet last night because she really seemed to be doing OK, and if I took her to the vet every time I worried about her for some reason she would be there at least once a month (I'm a worrier). I'm starting to think the white foamy stuff might have had white cat hair in it and I just thought it didn't because I expected to see black hair. The cat is black but my new kitten is white so this would support the theory that she is coughing up hairballs because of licking the kitten so much. None of my past cats have really gotten hairballs so I'm not sure what they would look like. Are they generally wet or dry? Mostly hair, or hair mixed with other stuff?- ANSWER:
Check her temperature with a rectal thermometer (if you are brave). Make an appointment if she is lethargic, she has bloody or very loose stools and has little to no appetite or has a temperature above 103. Normal temp is between 100 and 102.I doubt this is a huge cause for concern, especially if she is acting normally and is eating and drinking. You can always call the vet and ask their opinion on the matter.
My cats have always let me know in some way when they are really sick. Their personality really changes and it becomes obvious that there is an issue.
- ANSWER:
- QUESTION:
What is the treatment for a cat with a vomiting problem?
My mom's cat vomits a lot. She took him to the vet a few years ago and they said that he had a sensitive stomach. She has tried many different cat foods and he continues to vomit.- ANSWER:
It really depends on how much 'a lot' is.
Also, is the puke digested and in a pile or undigested and in a tube shape and covered with a mucus coating?
The first (the digested one) is true 'vomit' and is a rather violent projection from the stomach.
The second is actually 'regurgitation' and comes from the esophagas.
Why is knowing the difference important? It can help the vet figure stuff out.Hairball puking usually occurs within an hour of eating- is a 'regurgitation' (undigested) puke, and does NOT have to have hair in it. It can happen up to twice a week and be normal.
questions to answer: Does the cat also have abnormal pooping (diarrhea, constipation) or peeing (not peeing enough or peeing more than he should? Is the cat too sleepy/lethargic/lazy? Is the cat losing weight?
Cat vomit can be caused by 'kitty gorging' or eating too fast. Cats swallow alot of air when they eat. Kittens tend to do this the most and get nasty farts from it, and then grow out of it and learn to eat more slowly, but sometimes they don't and a 'gorgeing cat' is made. Does this cat rush eat/over eat? If so, you may want to check into a metered feeder and dole out small meals 3-5 times a day. At the same time, slowly transition over to something like Science Diet Hairball Formula, or use the same food and add in something like Vetmax Hairball Gel.
Vomiting can be caused by IBD- this has to be diagnosed by a vet through a biopsy of the intestine. We didn't have to get this done so I don't know anything about it. You can look it up if you want to know more or ask your vet about it.
Regurgitation can also be caused by a hole in the esophagus or a flaw in the esophagus or a blockage in the esophagus.
There are a few others that I'm forgetting but hopefully that helps
- ANSWER:
Feline Digestive Problems
Cat Bad Breath: Steps you Can Take to Cure Feline Halitosis
Does your cat suffer from bad breath (also known as 'feline halitosis')? If so, you know how uncomfortable it can be when friends who visit are repelled by your cat's breath. Even more important than the social implications, however, is the fact that feline halitosis can be an indication that your cat may be suffering from some dental or digestive disorders.
Any changes in your cat's diet can create digestive problems for your cat, so this should be the first consideration. If you've modified your cat's diet, a change back to its original dietary regimen may resolve the problem.
If your cat's diet has not changed, the next step would be to check inside your cat's mouth. Bad breath is most often caused by the uncontrolled growth of bacteria in the mouth. This is true for humans as well as for our canine and feline companions. When we chew our food, bacteria in the mouth break down the proteins in our food, and this in turn causes sulfur and other chemicals to be released into the air through our breath. Ordinarily, it's the smell of the sulfur that is so offensive.
So where does this excessive bacteria come from? It is generally the direct result of poor oral hygiene, resulting in the growth of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This can be a problem for cats as much as it is for humans.
When your cat's bad breath is rooted in its dental hygiene, look for those cat foods and special treats that contain enzymes whose purpose is to prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat's teeth. You can also have your cat's teeth cleaned professionally by your veterinarian, but this strategy provides only a short-term solution. To prevent the problem from recurring, you will need to make some modifications to its diet. Your vet may suggest other approaches as well, such as prescribing an antibacterial mouth spray to prevent the onset of gingivitis (gum disease).
A more proactive approach would be to periodically brush your cat's teeth. There are special toothpastes and brushes made for this purpose, including electric tooth brushes, which are the most effective in preventing the buildup of tartar. If possible, this would be a good habit to develop while your cat is still young.
The best time to clean your cat's teeth is shortly, but not immediately, after a meal. Wait for about half an hour or so after the meal so that your cat does not associate mealtime with having its teeth brushed. Such an association would create some anxiety around eating, and possibly cause it to not eat properly or to develop digestive problems.
If your cat's halitosis does not stem from either a change in diet or from a buildup of tartar and/or plaque on the teeth, then the problem may in fact be much more deeply rooted. There may be a more serious dental issue such as a tumor, an abscess, or other types of dental disease. Feline halitosis can also be a symptom of other non-dental diseases, such as kidney or liver disease, lung cancer, or feline leukemia. Your vet can help you make these determinations and provide you with the best course of action. Exhibiting bad breath is no more normal for a cat than it is for a human, so it's imperative to take appropriate action if your cat suffers from this problem.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
What canned cat food is out there that is similar to i/d feline cat food?
My kitten is allergic to most foods sold in stores, but found i/d feline cat food and we have not had a problem since. the price of the food though is .80 per can, and I am having trouble affording it. Is there any cat food out there that works for digestive problems but is cheaper then the i/d food? Even at a store or online?Thank you for the help!
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ANSWER:
Have an honest discussion with your vet. They are more interested in your pet's health than making money. If the only reason your kitten is on it is allergies, she may be able to eat another type of food. I believe ID has chicken in it, so Natural Balance limited ingredient chicken formula may work for her.http://www.petfooddirect.com/product/12163/Natural-Balance-Grain-Free-Limited-Ingredient-Chicken-&-Green-Pea-Canned-Cat-Food
Although I've sent a link from Pet Food Direct, canned food can be heavy and expensive to ship by the case, so you should check around and see if you can find it locally (if your vet says it's okay). I believe Petco may carry it. The larger cans are usually the least expensive. If you switch, please do so gradually, adding a little bit of the new food each day over the course of a week or two until the cat is just eating the new food.
Good luck to you!
Edit: If the ID does indeed contain pork as Cat Lover says, then it's true that a duck and pea or venison and pea food would be your best choice. Natural Balance makes that also.
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QUESTION:
Digestive problems for mature 13 year old cat...?
I’m inquiring about my 13 year old cat, who lives indoors, is obese, & has a history of pancreatitis. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis 5 yrs ago, & has been doing well since. However, over the past few months I have noticed he has been vomiting more often. This is something he has done on occasion, but it is becoming more frequent, and I’m concerned. Should I look into changing his food to something that would be easier to digest? He is currently eating (has all of his life) Science Diet Adult Light. I was researching Prescription Diet r/d Feline, or perhaps a SD for mature cats. He has never had any problems with hairballs. As far as his condition, he is himself, doesn’t appear to be in any pain. Also, if I decided to change his food, even if I make the transition from old to new slow, will that possibly make him worse?
Any help or advice you could provide would be helpful and appreciated. I plan to discuss any major changes with my vet, I am simply researching and gathering info.
I agree, taking him to the vet would be the best and most logical option... but he is not the best patient by any means. It will stress him out so much, I will only do that as a last resort. Honestly, he is the worst patient, the entire place has to hold him down just so the vet can examine him. When he was younger, he had to be fully sedated to be declawed! I'm looking into other options first, and of course if this continues, I will consult with his vet who knows his history, and I'm sure will also do his best to try to treat him outside the office.-
ANSWER:
I do recall reading that cats with this condition are going to do better with simpler foods.And I know from my own experience with a cat who has funky digestion that a grainfree food with no fillers is going to be best. Actually that's best for any cat, but it really helped clear up Poppy's problems (loose stool and obesity).
Science Diet is actually very bad food - if you read the ingredients you'll be shocked at what's in there. On top of that, dry food is not a good choice for any cat, but for yours it's going to be worse because it's of necessity full of fillers.
I believe your cat will thrive on a grainfree canned food - or better yet a raw meat diet. But if your vet has been selling you SD, then I'm quite sure he'll fill your head will all kinds of garbage about raw feeding. So let me just say this - most vets are severely mis- and uninformed about proper cat nutrition. I won't go on about feeding raw, but if you want to learn more about its benefits, let us know. There are many of us out here who can tell you all about it.
So back to the canned food. Hopefully your vet has enough sense to agree that a grainless canned food will be of benefit to your cat. See the link below for suggestions on the better brands. You won't find these in your vet's office but they are sold in your better pet stores.
Not only might your cat do better on these foods, they'll probably help him lose a few pounds.
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QUESTION:
Any advice on smelly cat feces?
I have a 6 1/2 year old female cat who has the worst smelling feces, ever. She is currently eating the best food possible -- Innova EVO.She has always had smelly feces...no matter what food she was fed, whether it was canned or dry, it didn't matter.
She had been to the vet recently because she had some problems with her anus and some skin problems around that area. They have checked her anal glands, they have checked everything...have done a fecal sample and everything turned out to be alright.
She never covers her "mess" in the box and now that she has a skin issue on her butt, she has to use pelleted litter, so we're using Yesterday's News since I can't stand Feline Pine (the smell is so strong).
We give her a digestive supplement to help her digestion as she's always had digestive problems. (She has had a long history with vomiting, diarrhea...she has almost every symptom of Feline IBD).
Please do not recommend feeding a raw diet to me. I have tried this before and she will not eat it. I did a very slow and easy transition and she never caught on to it. She enjoys her dry food once per day and occasionally canned food. Also please do not tell me to change her diet (food wise or amount wise) ...she is on a certain food diet for her digestive problems.
Is there anything I can do to help her feces smell less? I understand that all poop stinks...it's natural...but the other members of my household are becoming tired of smelling it.
Thank you.
Okay, I'm not asking how to make her litter box smell better. I am asking how to help her feces smell less.-
ANSWER:
Ive been told that you can take it to the vet and they can squeeze out the anal glands when that happens.the arm and hammer litter deoderizer powder works great when yuu sprinkle it on the litter too.
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QUESTION:
I gave my cats the wrong food what do you think will happen?
I have a cat with digestion issues and this morning I was really tired accidentally fed him my other cats food which is raw rabbit and natural balance limited ingredient duck and pea. In return my other cat which normal eats that got feline i/d can and dry, a tablespoon of pumpkin 1/4 tsp of clay apple pectin and pro-biotics do im not so much worried about the cat with digestive problems I know what will happen, hes gona get the squirts, but what do you think will happen to my other cat who normally eats raw food?
Because my cat has almost no intestinal lining and in general I listen to my vet to help ease his digestive system and he can not handle raw food right now.-
ANSWER:
nothing will happen ..you love your cats so much thats why you are worried:) but if anything happens(i dont think that) run to the nearest vet
..good that you care that much
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QUESTION:
What is wrong with my cat? Digestive and skin inflammation?
Obviously, something is wrong with my cat, but the vet tells me that they don't know what it is. I have exhausted my financial resources, and the next visit to the vet may be the last as I am considering putting her to sleep. Please help!Symptoms Present:
7 yr old Domestic short hair
10+ patches of bloody skin lesions on the underside of the torso, inside of her legs, and under armpits
Two week period of excessive vomiting (four times a day) and loss of appetite
Abnormally large, putrid smelling feces
Behavior depressed and withdrawn
Weight Loss from 14 lbs to 10 lbs over a 9 month periodBehavior:
Only cat in the household
Indoor cat
Noticeable excessive grooming
No history of health problems
Previous vet visit before symptoms started in February was a teeth cleaning procedure
Ruled out Feline Leukemia and FIV with blood tests
Food: Prescription Diet d/d Venison and Green Pea (no people food)
Litter: World's Best Cat Litter (corn meal based)-
ANSWER:
I'm really sorry about your cat. Your question intrigued me, and I have been sitting here with three years of notes and internal medicine texts to see if I could find any sort of answer for you. Unfortunately, I've not had a lot of luck so far, but I have got a few questions for you.Something I am interested to know- did your vet attempt all the workup themselves, or did they offer you specialist referral? If not, though consultation & workup is probably not an option for you now if you've exhausted your resources, I wonder if your vet can send her whole history say to a uni vet school hospital and see if they can come up with any answers.
How did her symptoms present- did she have the gastrointestinal signs first, or the skin lesions? Has she got skin lesions other than the bloody patches, e.g. hairloss, or are they relatively well defined.
Do you think it is possible that the skin problems are entirely due to her excessive grooming, or were the signs starting to appear before she started to overgroom?
I'm assuming that she has had full blood profiles and the like done- were any of these abnormal, and if so, what were the abnormalities? Also, has she had any diagnostic imaging done (x-ray, ultrasound)?
One of my thoughts was an allergic or immune-mediated problem. Has she ever been tried on cortisone (prednisolone)? Although not 'gold standard medicine', if she hasn't been and if you are close to the point of euthanising her, it would be worth a try.
The only other thing that occured to me was that occasionally some internal cancers can cause skin problems due to distant affects of the tumour (called a paraneoplastic syndrome). This is pretty rare, and probably less likely given the weight loss (I would expect far greater loss more quickly), but is one of the reasons that I ask whether there was any imaging done.
I'm really sorry that I couldn't be more helpful. Take care, and I sincerely hope that you find an answer soon. Please feel free to email me if you want to.
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Cat Tails
Understanding Your Cat: Cat Body Language
We like to think of our cats as our fur-children, even though they really can't speak to us. Or can they? Cats may not be able to talk to us but they can communicate through body language. Did you know that if your cat wags her tail it's not a sign of happiness - she's actually annoyed?
Here's a few more body language clues to help us discover what our cats are really trying to tell usa
Calm & Content:
Cats who are in a calm and happy state of mind hold their ears alert and pricked. Their tails are still, held either straight up, or relaxed. If your cat is really relaxed, she'll gaze at you with half-lidded eyes. If she flutters her eyes at you, it means she trusts you and feels safe. Another way to tell if your cat is happy is if she kneads her paws.
If your cat lies down on her side or back and exposes her belly, she's letting you know that she's happy, and wouldn't mind if you came over to give her some love. Often this means she's inviting you to rub her tummy. But be careful - not all cats like belly rubs. The ones that don't will soon let you know by grabbing your hand and giving a quick bite.
Pleased to See You:
When your cat is happy to see you, she'll greet you with her tail held straight up. She'll rub her face against you, using the scent glands in her forehead, chin and whiskers to 'mark you' as part of her territory. She might also purr, but surprisingly, purring isn't always a sign that your cat is content.
Why do cats purr, anyway?
Kittens are able to purr by the time they're two days old. It's their way of communicating with their moms. As cats grow older, they continue to purr to indicate happiness. But did you know that cats also purr when they're sick or anxious? Some animal experts believe it's a form of self-soothing, like when a person hums to stave off nerves. Cats also purr to show submission to another cat, or to indicate friendliness.
Hunting, Curious & Playful:
When your cat's in stalking or hunting mode, she'll drop her body low to the ground. She'll keep her tail down, while the tip twitches. Just before she's about to pounce, she might wag her butt.
If your cat is mildly curious about something, she'll hold her tail at half mast and slowly switch it from side to side. An upright tail curved to one side or held in a 'question mark' means your kitty's excited, and might be ready to play.
Wants Something:
You'll know when your cat wants something from you - whether it's food, affection or clean litter - when she leans into your legs with her whole body. Some cats will even do a little hop as they rub your legs. This is kitty language for, aHey, you up there! We need something down here!a
Annoyed:
It's easy to tell when a cat starts to get annoyed. When your cat's fed up or had enough petting, she'll flick the end of her tail back and forth. When she's really annoyed, she'll lash her tail back and forth. If she thumps her tail, watch out! She's really upset. Growling and swiping at you with her paws also are a result of extreme kitty annoyance.
Fear & Aggression:
When your cat is afraid, she tries to make herself look smaller. She tucks her tail close to her body and hunkers down into a ball before backing away. She'll lay her ears back sideways and her pupils will be dilated.
If she's afraid but on the defensive, she'll bare her teeth and expose her paws as she confronts the threat in a sideways stance.
Aggressive cats look like aHalloween cats.a They try to look as scary and intimidating as possible by arching their backs and puffing up the fur along their hackles and tails. This is known as piloerection. Your cat will also pull her whiskers back, with her paw raised and ready to swat, while her tensely-curved-tail will lash from side to side.
Hissing is an obvious sign of a fearful or aggressive cat. If she's ready to bite, she'll show her teeth, and give low warning growls.
Although these behaviors should generally help you decipher what your cat is thinking, every cat is an individual with their own personal nuances and body language. Taking the time to figure out what your cat is really trying to say will deepen your bond with one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
how can i effectively remove cat tails from my pond?
I am looking for an environmentally safe and effective way to remove the cat tails from the ponds on my property. I would like to remove most or all of them as they are overpowering the pond.-
ANSWER:
Just remove the cats and the tails will come out with them!!
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QUESTION:
How to remove Cat Tails from a pond?
We have a whole bunch of cat tails that need to be removed. Is there any kind of weed killer that will kill the cat tail but wont harm the fish?-
ANSWER:
It's a dirty, hard awful job, but you gotta do it. I do a better job with hip boots and gloves. If the pond has a natural bottom, you have to remove them by hand or as the previous poster says, a rake. Weed killer will kill everything. And those cattails return year after year. If you can get them ALL out, it will be easier for you next year when not so many return.
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QUESTION:
why does cat tails grow in a pond?
my pond has cat tails in it we live in mid missouri
whats the best way to get rid of them-
ANSWER:
because their roots will only grow in standing water. they can never dry out or they'll die. they prefer from 1" to 1' of water, and they grow best in a swampy mire where the water is either stagnate or very slow moving.
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QUESTION:
Anyone know where to buy good looking cat tails?
I been trying to find a decent looking cat tail for a costume, but I am not finding any good ones, I want it to be at least long and furry, I found long ones but they aren't furry looking.If you list any sites, please list only ones that are trust worthy.
Thanks~
I am not talking about the plant...-
ANSWER:
LOL what a weird dilemma.
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QUESTION:
why do cats tails go big and thick when they run into a dog or a cat that they dont like?
yesterday my friends brought over their new puppy and our cats tail got so bushy and she was really tense and her pupils were massivewas she scared, or angry?
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ANSWER:
She was scared!! when they arch up like that many people think they are being aggressive but really they do it out of fear.
If their eyes stay small and their ears go back however that means they are going to be aggressive, Its all about the face in cats whereas in dogs its about the body.
Cats fur goes up weather they are scared or gonna attack, it makes them look bigger (and possibly less scared)! Just watch her face and then you will know!!
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Sea Kittens
Canine Assisted Therapy and Hospice by the Sea Boca Raton Florida
Canine Assisted Therapy, (C.A.T.), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in August of 2009 to address the need of companionship for those in schools, nursing homes, hospice, assisted living, and hospitals. Since the inception of the organization detailed background checks have been performed on all C.A.T. volunteers; no other dog certification organizations in Broward and Palm Beach counties have been so diligent.
After August 1st these other organizations and the organizations that invite volunteers into their facilities, may lose their licensure because the new law requires that people who care for children, the elderly, and disabled in Florida undergo stricter background screening requirements.
The law which passed unanimously by the Legislature this past session was signed by Gov. Charlie Crist at the end of May. It applies to employees and volunteers at day care centers, assisted living facilities, home health care agencies, and others working with children and vulnerable adults.
Recognizing that Canine Assisted Therapy is compliant with the new law ensures that the most vulnerable residents are protected. Canine Assisted Therapy encourages volunteers to continue making a difference in the lives of children, elderly, and the challenged members of our community. The organization's founders also want to make sure these facilities are following the letter of new law in bringing these wonderful dogs (and their owners) into their buildings and property.
Debra M. Berger is the Executive Director of C.A.T. recently noted, "We are thrilled to have many new volunteers because other therapy organizations are unable or unwilling to comply with the new law. We are also receiving many requests from facilities requesting our services because we are the only pet therapy organization that will be able to visit patients unaccompanied by a staff member."
Facilities C.A.T. currently serves:
Ann Storck Center - Fort Lauderdale
Avante at Boca Raton - Boca Raton
Bennett Elementary School - Fort Lauderdale
Bethesda Memorial Hospital - Boynton Beach
Boulevard Rehabilitation Center - Boynton Beach
Chatworth at PGA - Palm Beach Gardens
Children's Diagnostic and Children's Center - Fort Lauderdale
Chris Evert Children's Center - Fort Lauderdale
Coral Ridge Elementary - Lake Worth
Cypress Run Education Center - Pompano Beach
Gilda's Club of South Florida - Fort Lauderdale
Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center - Hollywood
Homewood at Freedom Pointe at the Village - The Villages
Hospice by the Sea - Boca Raton
Independence Hall - Fort Lauderdale
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida - Davie
Manor Care Health Services - Plantation
Meadowlark Inn Assisted Living - Royal Palm Beach
Medicana Nursing and Rehab - Lake Worth
Memorial Regional Hospital South - Hollywood
Pompano Rehab & Nursing - Pompano Beach
Springtree Rehabilitation and Health - Sunrise
ThereaPeeds, Inc. - Davie
United Cerebral Palsy - Fort Lauderdale
Williamsburg Landing - Fort Lauderdale
Willow Brooke Court at St. Andrews - Boca Raton
Due to this new legislation, C.A.T. is adding additional Broward and Palm Beach facilities each week.
C.A.T. (www.catdogs.org) headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, provides certification and placement of therapy dogs and their handlers into nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools and where there is a need for the companionship of a dog. C.A.T. has a Pack Reader Program to assist grade school children to improve their reading skills by reading to dogs. C.A.T. has also recently launched the Teen Corp Program in Oxford, Florida where teens work with their dogs to train and prepare them for therapy work. C.A.T.'s certification is valid and recognized throughout the United States.
Canine Assisted Therapy was founded with the sole mission to provide a network of qualified, dependable, caring Therapy Teams committed to delivering a therapeutic benefit through the use of dogs to both children and adults who need comfort, companionship, or the unconditional love that only a dog can provide. C.A.T. is distinguishable from other pet therapy organizations because of the extensive testing of the dogs to insure proper temperament for therapy work, placement of volunteers in facilities, and overall support of volunteers.
Canine Assisted Therapy
Joanne Jurgle
Asst. Director
954-319-3170
Cat Uti Symptoms
Effective Cat UTI Treatment
Effective Cat UTI treatment Urinary tract infections can be quite dangerous in the case of your feline friend. The very fact that these infections are rarer and less noticeable make them that much more dangerous. In most cases, unless you are looking for it, you may simply miss the symptoms at an early stage.
As a result, cat UTI treatment usually begins in the later stages of the disease. This means that in most cases, the discomfort and the infection are already well advanced by the time treatment begins.
In very severe cases of cat UTI treatment options may be restricted to western or conventional medicine, at least for immediate relief and control of the infection and the related discomfort. However, in milder cases, or for long term treatment and control, alternative, natural or homeopathic remedies might be a good option.
These holistic methods of treatment use natural, herbal, remedies to eradicate the very source of the problem, while approaching the issue of pain relief with a much softer and healthier approach. They also do not have any of the harmful side effects of strong antibiotics or pain killers. They are much milder and cause infinitely less harm to the system.
Although cat UTI is not really a very common problem, some 10% of vet visits may be because of related problems. Cat UTI treatment is often delayed or even completely overlooked, causing the ailment to be added to the list of silent killers. There may not be any obvious symptoms, and in the time before you notice anything, the infection can travel up to the kidneys causing severe problems, or even death!
In the severe extremes, take the cat to your vet and have it put on a course of conventional antibiotic and pain control treatment. The usual causes or cat UTI are bacterial or fungal infections and antibiotics are quite efficient in reducing the pain and discomfort as well as in suppressing the symptoms of the disease. Immediate relief and an almost magical recovery curve have made conventional treatment quite attractive.
However, there is a very real problem with conventional medicine that might be worth considering. For one thing, they are short term fixes, designed to ease the current situation only. For long term relief, and prevention of relapses, natural and homeopathic methods of cat UTI treatment might be more suitable and effective. In addition, the regular overuse and abuse of traditional antibiotics has created many antibiotic-resistant strains of common bacteria. As a result a course of antibiotics is no longer any guarantee for a cure.
As a result, more and more pet lovers have come to rely on a more holistic approach to cat UTI treatment either as a complementary method of therapy alongside conventional treatment or as a fresh approach to treatment. Homeopathic and natural remedies can be taken for long durations without side effects, and can effectively root out the very cause of the infection.
A course of strong antibiotics, or surgery, can be last resort options for immediate relief from severe symptoms. Milder infections can benefit from natural cat UTI treatment and these alternative methods also prevent future relapses and recurrences.
Wet Kitten Food
Should Cats Drink Milk
In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than good.
While milk might seem like a natural choice for your cat, the truth is that cow's milk offers no nutritional value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in many. The reason is that most cats develop intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. This means that they are unable to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive problems.
Some people think that cats need to have milk in order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not true. In fact, cow's milk does nothing to meet a cat's nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do not usually have the opportunity to drink cow's milk.
As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for any cat, and should never be given in place of food OR in place of water. Replacing a cat's food or water with milk can cause your cat to become malnourished.
Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, milk should never be given in place of food, but as a treat.
If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for meals. Even if you feed this "cats milk" on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and fresh water should always be available. Another option for lactose intolerant cats is to give lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores.
In addition to cat's milk, there are a lot of other ways to treat your cats to special food.
If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is important to you.
Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a variety to keep her from becoming bored with her food. Another version of this is to pour the water from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as an occasional treat.
Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, and you will see row after row of treats. While most of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that treats should be given as such, and should not be fed to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy weight gain.
Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the milk they need is their mother's. The mother's milk is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow's milk. Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten's mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a substitute that should be available at your local pet store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk substitute several times a day. While the pet store personnel can probably answer most of your questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the kitten is getting exactly what it needs.
The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn't going to hurt.
Cat Trees Cheap
How to Choose the Best Cat Scratching Trees for your Cat
Is Your Cat Scratching Up all your nice Furniture?
Tips before you Buy a Cat Scratching Tree Or Cat Furniture!
First of all, when thinking of buying a cat scratching tree, you should determine which cat scratching tree would be best for your cat.
This all depends on your cats size, your cats climbing abilities and your cats age.
What size cat scratching tree is good for kittens? What is better for cats? Huge Cat scratching trees or small cat scratching trees? For kittens, I recommend you to buy a small, wide cat scratching tree, since most little cats (especially kittens) are careless and jumpy and can easily fall of a tall cat scratching tree and get hurt.
Make sure when buying a kitten scratching tree, that your cat tree doesn't have narrow, high ledges that the kittens can fall off... Therefore, I recommend to buy a great, fun, wide scratching tree for kittens and cats that is safe and provides lots of entertainment!
How will the Cat scratching tree entertain my Cats and Kittens?
By playing, jumping and scratching cats and kittens have a GREAT time on cat scratching trees.
Not only do cats ENJOY to be high up on a tree, (like in nature) but they also enjoy the fun of climbing up a cat scratching tree, scratching up thecat scratching tree and playing catch-me if you have 2 or more cats.
For almost all cats, (especially kittens) it is recommended to have many hanging mice and cat toys on the cat tree, so that especially the young kittens will get loads of entertainment, since they often get bored and restless.
If you have a BIG cat, you might want to get her/hima large cat scratching tree so that she will have plenty of room to climb and scratch and be able to exercise him/herself on the cat scratching tree.
You don't want a fat cat do you?
For older, lazier cats, a climbing tree with more room, more ledges for them to hang of and sleep on and more places to scratch.
What Color Cat Scratching Tree Matches My home best?
When getting a cat scratching tree, you can mostly choose what color you want it in too.
Try choosing a color that will best match your house.
If your walls and furniture are light, then you can take a lighter cat scratching tree.
However if your walls and chairs are dark wood, you might want to choose a dark cat tree.
WARNING: Never buy a cat scratching tree that doesn't have a cover/material over the ledges.
This means that there is no material covering the wood. This is cheaper but worse and dangerous for your cat since splinters can get into it's paws and injure it! Also, a cat tree without any covering material is ugly, plain and unpleasant for your cat to sit on.
Therefore, buy a good cat scratching tree that has a material covering to it!
Here's a recommended site for cheap cat scratching trees.
For more Cat Articles and a Fun CatLovers Community click here:http://catlovingcare.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Where can I find cheap cat trees and furniture?
I'm looking for a site that is reputable and trustworthy.-
ANSWER:
im normally good at answering these but im sorry i have no clue xx
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QUESTION:
Where can I find cheap cat trees?
Cat likes high places and I want to put one by a window so he can watch wildlife.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3088315I like this one but it cost a lot.
Well I live in an appartment and I can't really build anything on the balcony or start stealing tree branches from the courtyard.-
ANSWER:
When we bought ours it was but considering all three cats love it, it was way worth the money. They've used it since day 1. It's about 5' tall (tallest perch is about as tall as half way up the window), all the posts are covered with sisal (and since we got it I haven't caught my cats scratching in any other place besides their other scratching mat), it has 3 tiers and they can all perch on it at the same time without fighting. The kitten likes it especially since she can swing at the older cats and then hide under the perch so they can't get her back!The thing will last for MANY years even with wear and tear. Considering the money I spend on all the other toys I've bought over the years its not anymore expensive per day than those toys. If you figure it out, our cat tree costs us about 20 cents a day for the first year.
I always balked at the prices but since getting this one, it's worth it. I didn't want to pay over and it fit our budget and space requirements nicely. We got ours from Pet Valu where my daughter works.
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QUESTION:
Places to buy super cheap cat trees/condos?
I went to petsmart and they are to expensive for me, so is walmart..-
ANSWER:
They are all expensive. Do you have a saw, hammer, and nails? Make one! You just need some plywood from the hardware store, and cheap carpet! You could probably make a really big one for -. Heck you can take old boxes and make fun places to play. I even gave you a site for paper bag fun. I doesn't have to be pretty. They don't care. Sisal rope rap it tightly around a pole makes a great scratch post! Hope this helps. Hope you kitties have fun!
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QUESTION:
Where can I get cheap "cat trees" in the Sacramento, CA area?Places like Petsmart and Petco all have them, but they're just too expensive. Know of anywhere else?
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ANSWER:
Hi there...consider using your local Sacramento Craigslist pet section. Here's the direct link: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pet/ People post ads for free or low price cat items every minute on a daily basis so be sure to check back often.
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QUESTION:
Where can I find a good, cheap cat tree/ cat condo?
I am getting a cat soon and I would like to know where I can find a cheap playhouse/scratching post. She will be an indoor only cat (with the exception of being on a leash outside) so I need to provide her with plenty of stimulation, scratching posts, toys, and safe things to climb on. Where can I find or make these things for cheap?-
ANSWER:
PetEdge and Drs. Foster Smith online both have some really cute cat trees that are well priced. Shipping's a bit high but they still end up being substantially cheaper than buying one at PetSmart or Petco whose prices are pretty ridiculous.I have four cats and I don't have a cat tree. I have two scratching posts and a couple of sisal scratchers that hang on door knobs. So you don't necessarily have to get them the big tree to scratch on. Those take up a lot of space.
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Cat Vomiting
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Cat with Hyperthyroidism Vomiting - 3 Ways to Help Your Cat
If your cat has hyperthyroidism problems, you must face it as soon as possible in order to get her life back to normal. It is hard breaking, but the cats don't have a happy life in these occasions and they are not even aware what is going on with them.
This is the part where you can help in order to prevent or stop the cat with hyperthyroidism vomiting and many other symptoms. Helping your cat would be much easier with only one symptom to face, but this is not the case, so every detail must be considered.
1. The disease - when it comes to cat with hyperthyroidism vomiting, it is important to realize what actually can cause it. Cats with this problem usually eat more than normally, and they start vomiting right after the meal. If you have more cats in the house, the sick one will practically rob the food from other cats; they just don't know when to stop. Some researches shower that the abnormal thyroid usually affects the brain system and the cats can't control themselves when it comes to eating.
2. Food balance - you must control what your cat eats, especially if she is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. That requires making normal portions for every meal and adding all important nutrients. If your cat is constantly hungry, she will get angry and nervous, so it would be better giving her small portions every three hours in order to deceive her hunger.
3. Medications and remedies - when the hairball is the only one to blame for vomiting, there is nothing much to do except brushing, but when it's about a cat with hyperthyroidism vomiting or it is related to kidney problems, the vet should prescribe the medications. Some remedies you can add to the food by yourself, but only the vet will know what medication combinations are allowed in such a serious condition. However, it's more about trying to resist the heavy than adding more treatments to the whole process.
The cat with hyperthyroidism vomiting can be also understood as some kind of defence mechanism your cat is trying to develop. She doesn't feel good, and she can't tell you that, so there must be a way to show that. All changes that might happen to older cats are equally important, and they can lead to some early solution and spare your cat some unpleasant treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
cat vomiting?
How do I treat cat vomiting? My cat vomited twice today. If this helps, he was outside before he started vomiting.-
ANSWER:
Many cats eat grass while they are outside. Just today, my cat was outside and later i had to clean up vomit from him. It is just a natural reaction. If it becomes more serious(3 or more times a day) you may want to take him to a vet. I hope this helps!
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QUESTION:
Cat vomiting?
My male cat (totally indoor) is about 1 year old. He vomits 2-3 times a week which seems unusual. I know that cats may vomit because of hair balls. Apart from vomiting he looks OK. I tried with a vet. He was first put on a prescription diet. It worked for sometime and then started vomiting again. Then the vet suggested to give pepsid liquid which was of no use. His blood and faecal sample tests came negative.
Anyone experienced a similar problem? Please advice.Thanks
Anil
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ANSWER:
Yes, i have a young kitten, too. I would recommend making sure he hasnt eaten any foreighn objects, like string or something. Then i would make sure his litter is clean. If it continues, he might have a tumor or something. Hope this helps!
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QUESTION:
What does my cat vomiting and losing hair mean?
My 4 year old cat, who we took in from being outside in December is vomiting at least once a day right after his meals. This has been happening for at least a month. He is also losing alot of hair. He does NOT have bald patches, but we are constantly finding large tufts of hair all over the house. We have to vacuum everyday. He has always been a very fluffy cat and still is but seems to be losing alot of his thickness. At first we thought it was because he didnt need all his fur since he was now inside but it hasnt stoped. Are the two of these things put together any sympotoms for anything? If not I need some advice on both.-
ANSWER:
It is really hard to know what is exactly going on. I always recommend that if anything is out of the ordinary with your pets you need to see a profession that can give you the right advice for the condition.Don't delay your cat is quite clearly unwell and Alopecia (Hair loss) can be a result from sickness, stress or skin conditions.
Be a responsible owner and get it checked out
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QUESTION:
How can i stop my cat vomiting on my carpet?
My cat has the wonderful habit of coming back into the house and vomiting all over my new carpet. He's always done this but in our previous house he would run into the kitchen and be sick on the lino which made the clean up easier. Now that we've moved to a new house he's happy enough to chuck up wherever he happens to be at the time, which has included my armchair and the window sill.
Does anyone have a way of encouraging him to go to a particular spot to be sick?
We've had him to the vet who says he's healthy enough. If we keep him inside he's not sick so we think he's eating something he shouldn't be when he's out. Thanks for your answers anyway. Maybe i'll invest in hardwood flooring!-
ANSWER:
As soon as he comes in, quarantined him until he throws up.
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QUESTION:
Is FortiFlora probiotic supplement effective in treating cat vomiting?
My vet suggested Purina FortiFlora probiotic supplement to treat my cat's chronic vomiting. But when I looked it up online, the product descriptions only specify its use for diarrhea. Is the vet just trying to make a sale or could that actually be an effective treatment for vomiting?-
ANSWER:
He's not completely offbase. Probiotics can be used to help with digestive issues. Doesn't necessarily matter which end it's coming out of.So he's not completely offbase, although probiotics is only one option.
For digestive issues, it's best to find a food that agrees with your cat. Then you don't have to rely on any supplements to provide the basics for him.
But if it comes down to needing something, then you can try probiotics or you can try digestive enzymes. DE's help cats digest all the extra carbs that are put in inferior cat foods.
From my blog:
Probiotics:
1. Jarrow Pet Dophilus (powder) http://www.cheapvitamins.com/Product/Pet-Dophilus-2oz.aspx?gclid=CPm3-8Sxo5EC...
2. UAS Labs Probioplus DDS (capsules) http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=1695
3. Vitamin Shoppe Ultimate 10 Probiotic (capsules) http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=VS-2164
4. MultiAcidophilus with FOS - 4 billion active cells, non dairy (Natural Factors) http://www.luckyvitamin.com/068958018409.html
5. Sedona Labs, iFlora Multi-Probiotic Powder
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=7408&at=0
6. Garden of Life Primal Defense
http://www.garden-of-life.biz/primal-defense.phpProbiotics can aid with digestion. They can be useful when dealing with gas or loose stool. Per my new vet, probiotics are a good thing to add to any cat's diet. She recommends using them only 2-3 times per week rather than daily, and not necessarily in the recommended amount (meaning less not more).
When you start using them, you should add just a pinch to the food, and then gradually increase that if the cat is tolerating it without any smelly side effects.
Dosage: I'm not measuring it, but I guess I add about 1/4 tsp. I dispense this 3 days per week.
My vet also suggested varying the brands from time to time. As you finish one bottle, try another.
How to choose: My vet also suggested not using one made for humans only because it may not be the right kind of bacteria. Avoid Saccharomyces boulardii which is from yeast. It should be dairy free, contain more than one type of bacteria, have a high number of organisms and few additives. The first two listed above are the ones I've chosen to use. They were recommended by the users in Whole Cat Health. The other two were also suggested by users of that group, but not as highly.
For digestive enzymes, Dr. Goodpet is a good brand. Get the one that doesn't have lactose. Prozyme is another good one. Actually, this might be the one that has lactose....but there's a variety that doesn't.
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Feline Ibd Diet
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
Chronic cases of diarrhea in cats are a familiar headache for many veterinarians. Symptoms can wax and wane over a period of time, which can complicate the veterinarians assessment of the response to treatment in some cases. Many, though not all of these cats, will have inflammatory bowel disease (IDB). This article will focus on how a veterinarian is able to diagnose IBD, and what the treatment options are.
There are many possible underlying causes when a cat presents with vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss:
1. Parasites (worms)
2. Viral disease (Coronavirus, Leukaemia virus)
3. Bacteria (Salmonella, Campylobacter)
4. Protozoa (Giardia, Tritrichomonas)
5. Dietary (food intolerance, food allergy)
6. Cancer (lymphoma, adenocarcinoma)
7. Inflammatory bowel disease
8. Hormonal or metabolic (hyperthyroidism, kidney failure)
9. Drug or toxin induced
10. Motility disorders
The veterinarian should take a full history from the owner, to avoid spending time and money on unnecessary testing. Factors to be considered are age, diet, appetite, worming history, weight change and the nature of the vomiting or diarrhea. It is important to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation, which is usually an esophageal problem, and to differentiate small intestinal diarrhea from large intestinal diarrhea by the frequency and consistency of the feces.
The veterinarian will then carry out a full clinical examination, before embarking on a basic approach to the diagnosis as follows:
1. Blood and urine tests to rule out disease elsewhere in the body which has a knock on effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Bacterial culture of the feces to rule out Salmonella & Campylobacter
3. Parasite check on the feces to rule out worms
4. Xrays to rule out an obstruction by a foreign body or a tumor
5. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen to measure gut wall thickness
6. Bland prescription diet for 4-6 weeks (e.g. Hills Z/D, Royal Canin Sensitivity Control)
7. Intestinal biopsies via endoscopy or surgery.
IBD is a diagnosis of exclusion, so all of the differentials previously mentioned must be ruled out in order to make the diagnosis.
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
IBD is a term used to describe the inflammation of one of the layers in the intestinal wall. This swelling of the gut wall may occur with many other intestinal diseases, but when no cause of the inflammation is found after doing thorough testing as described above, the condition is described as idiopathic IBD (essentially, IBD of unknown cause). IBD is thought to be an overreaction to bacteria or dietary ingredients within the gut.
Are certain types of cats affected more than others?
Any age of cat can be affected, and pedigree breeds may be more commonly affected than domestic shorthair cats.
What are the treatment options once IBD has been diagnosed?
DIET
Many cats can be managed by diet alone in the long term. Diets can be hypoallergenic, high fiber or low residue. Sometimes all three of these types of food need to be trialed before the most effective one is selected. Cats are often resistant to dietary trials, and this is the main reason why many cats are given drugs to treat their IBD, the cat will just not eat the specific diet.
Hypoallergenic foods usually contain a new protein source that the cat has not encountered before such as capelin & tapioca, duck, venison or hydrolyzed protein. Diets high in fiber are recommended for colonic disease.
DRUGS
Drugs are a last resort, if the cat is still showing symptoms despite various food trials or if the cat refuses to eat the prescription diet.
Options are:
1. Anti inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs
Prednisolone, a corticosteroid given at 2-4mg/kg, is the most effective drug.
2. Budesonide
This is also a steroid, with fewer side effects on the rest of the body but it is unlicensed.
3. Chlorambucil
Sometimes given in addition to a steroid if the steroid alone working.
4. Metronidazole
This reduces the number of bacteria in the gut, so theoretically will reduce the triggering factor for the inflammation.
5. Cyclosporine
Normally used in dogs, this modifies the immune system. It has only been tried in a small number of cats, with mixed results.
Feline Acne Chin
Acne Remedy
What are the things you do to be rid of acne? What treatments have you tried so far? Popping zits and covering them with make up is not proper acne care, on the contrary, such practices will aggravate the condition, bringing even more troubles to deal with. Strict hygiene rules, patience and commitment to the treatment make the foundation of good acne care that will eventually leave the skin clean, soft and smooth.
An imperative rule for acne care is to always clean the skin gently. The myth of scrubbing the tissues in order to eliminate the oil surplus is false since you'll only aggravate the problem. The basic medical piece of advice here is to wash the skin with warm water and a mild cleanser with a pH similar to that of the skin. Two products that seldom fail for the matter are glycerin and herbal soap. When acne is extended the face area alone, then, make sure to to clean the skin from jaw to hairline well.
Make a rule not to touch your skin except for the moments of cleaning and other special acne care routines. It is widely recognized that pimples will get worse on the skin portions where pressure is put. For men, shaving could be a problem because one can further harm the skin: usually, if you choose a good razor, shaving should not be an impediment for acne. Soften the beard to make it easier to shave and less uncomfortable for acne.
Do not create an acne care routine based on all sorts of myths or words of mouth. For instance, lots of people believe that sun exposure heals acne. Well, the truth is that it makes the blemishes less obvious because of the color change, but the benefits are only temporary and on the long run, the condition will worsen under the action of the ultraviolets. Moreover, in case you administrate some form of medication for the treatment of acne, sun exposure is counter-indicated because of the higher sunburn risk.
The smart choice of cosmetics is another condition for good acne care. Eye shadows, moisturizers and foundation ought to be water-based and completely oil-free. Moreover, it would even be wise not to use any make up at all particularly if you follow some treatment for red and scaly tissues. This only means that all the skincare products have to match the skin type as well as the health condition.
