Vomiting is the involuntary and forceful expulsion of some or all of
the stomach contents by reversal of peristalsis, the normal muscular
contractions of the stomach.
Cats can vomit for a variety reasons. Sometimes your cat will have
simply eaten something that disagreed with him, other times vomiting
will be a sign of a greater problem. If your cat vomits only once
chances are he ate something, overate something, was stressed, or has
some other simple and one-time problem. However if your cat is vomiting
chronically and/or has other symptoms (lethargy, diarrhea, not eating)
then the vomiting could be a sign of a larger problem. Don't wait until
your cat has been throwing up for an extended period of time before
consulting your vet. If your cat does have a more serious illness
causing the vomiting this may waste precious treatment time. Also when a
cat doesn't take in enough food or keep down enough food to sustain
itself the body must use its fat stores for energy. Cat's bodies are not
very efficient at processing fat stores and thus fat can accumulate in
the liver. This can lead to hepatic lipidosis. Thus anytime your cat is
vomiting for more than a day or two consult your vet.
Some things that could cause vomiting include:
Overeating
Food poisoning
Eating bacteria infested food
Worm infestation
Hairballs
Ulcers
Cancer
Diabetes
Viral disorders
Infectious diseases
Kidney or liver problems
Stress
Treatment:
If your cat is vomiting frequently or chronically take him to the vet
at once. Your vet will do a thorough examination to isolate the cause of
the vomiting. If your cat simply has a sick stomach from eating
something that didn't agree with him or from overeating you may want to
limit food for 24 to 36 hours, or feed him smaller meals for a few days
and see if the problem persists. However if your vet does find an
underlying problem your vet will determine the proper course of
treatment based on the diagnosis.
Precautionary measures:
Keep your cat on a simple, healthy diet. Limit overeating and eating
too much table food and treats. Cats, like humans, need roughage. So you
may want to grow some kitty grass for your cat to eat. This will keep
your cat's digestive tract in check. Keep your cat in a low stress
environment. And keep your cat well groomed and brushed. This will limit
hairballs, a common cause of vomiting.
advice on this article is for your knowledge and information only. It
is not a substitute for a veterinary appointment or an actual diagnosis
for your pet. If you feel your pet has a health or behavior problem
please consult your veterinarian immediately for specific advice
tailored to your individual pet.
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