If your beloved cat suddenly vomits, it can be a cause for concern. Upon quickly examining what was vomited, you might find it’s just the usual hairball. At times, you may be unsure whether to observe the situation or take the cat to the vet. In this article, we will introduce the actions that owners should take based on what their cat has vomited.
Cats are prone to vomiting
Even if a cat is in good health, it may vomit. One common reason is hairballs. Cats have tiny spines on their tongues, and during grooming, these spines can trap and swallow hair. While some hair is expelled with feces, if hair accumulates in the stomach and forms a hairball, the cat may feel discomfort and attempt to vomit it out. Additionally, in terms of the structure of the esophageal muscle layer, unlike a dog’s esophagus, which is made almost entirely of voluntary striated muscle, a cat’s esophagus is made up of the upper two-thirds as voluntary striated muscle and the lower one-third as involuntary smooth muscle. This composition makes digestion slower, and it’s more prone to accumulation in the esophagus, leading to regurgitation of food.
When do cats vomit?
Now, let’s explore other possible reasons for a cat’s vomiting. Broadly, the following factors can be considered:
Possible reasons for vomiting
- Discomfort from accumulated hairballs in the stomach
- Dietary issues (ingesting foreign objects, eating too quickly, sudden changes in diet)
- Ingestion of toxic substances or poisons
- Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, renal or hepatic failure, hyperthyroidism, etc.
- Stomach issues (gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric torsion, obstruction in the pylorus of the stomach※1)
- Small intestine issues (parasites, enteritis, intestinal torsion, foreign objects, intestinal obstruction, etc.)
- Abdominal issues (peritonitis, tumors, pancreatitis, organ enlargement, etc.)
- Esophageal issues (narrowing or dilation of the esophagus, tumors, esophagitis, foreign objects, etc.)
- Viral infectious diseases
Pylorus is the exit from the stomach to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), and it may become narrow or blocked due to various reasons.
In addition, stress or a decrease in stomach motility can cause the reflux of digestive fluids such as bile from the duodenum, leading to Vomiting and Regurgitation.
Different types of vomiting: Vomiting and Regurgitation While it may seem similar when a beloved cat vomits right after eating food with vigor or when it moves its belly and regurgitates a hairball with a sound, there is a distinction in veterinary medicine between the mechanisms of vomiting and regurgitation. Since the causes of vomiting in vomiting and regurgitation are different, distinguishing between the two becomes crucial when assessing symptoms. Let’s now explain vomiting and regurgitation separately.
Vomiting
Vomiting refers to the expulsion of stomach and duodenal contents through the mouth, triggered by the stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain due to some underlying cause. After experiencing nausea, the diaphragm undergoes contractions, followed by a downward expulsion of the stomach contents. The material expelled is in a state of partial digestion.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation occurs when there are abnormalities in the nervous system, muscles, or the presence of tumors or foreign objects in the esophagus, causing the material ingested to reflux and be expelled from the esophagus before reaching the stomach. The expelled material is often undigested, and in some cases, it may be re-ingested. Frequent regurgitation, especially of undigested food, may indicate issues such as esophageal dysfunction due to reasons like esophageal dilation, myasthenia gravis, or congenital abnormalities in the young heart’s blood vessels. Regurgitation is characterized by a forward expulsion of material. Worried about a virus in your cat? Rapidly diagnose your pet in minutes with our Feline Coronavirus Antigbody Rapid Test!
In summary, Vomiting refers to the expulsion of material before it reaches the stomach, often from the esophagus, while Regurgitation refers to the expulsion of stomach contents after they have entered the stomach. The distinction between vomiting and regurgitation influences the points to be considered during diagnosis. If you observe pre-vomiting signs in a cat, such as changes in behavior before vomiting, the act of vomiting, and the condition afterward, carefully observe and be prepared for a veterinary visit.
Actions for Pet Owners When Their Pet Vomits:
If you notice any unusual changes in your pet’s behavior, it’s generally advisable to seek veterinary attention. Refer to the following checklist based on the way your pet vomits, and if any of these signs apply, take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Cases Requiring Urgent Veterinary Attention:
It is advisable to seek immediate veterinary attention in the following cases:
- Intense and frequent vomiting
- Vomiting multiple times in a short period
- Lack of energy and appetite persisting after vomiting
- Frequent vomiting with signs of lethargy
- Vomit contains a significant amount of blood
- Vomiting accompanied by diarrhea
- Dehydration with sunken eyes and lack of skin elasticity
- Vomiting continues for several days, even if once a day
- Gradual weight loss despite vomiting
- Presence of foreign objects or parasites in vomit
- Suspected ingestion of toxic substances
When visiting the veterinary clinic, it’s helpful to observe and provide at least the following information for an accurate diagnosis:
Information to Provide to the Veterinarian:
- How many times has the pet vomited? Is it a single occurrence or multiple times?
- When did the vomiting start?
- How much time has passed since the last meal?
- What was the nature of the vomiting (e.g., forceful, retching)?
- Describe the appearance of the vomit.
- How is the pet’s condition after vomiting?
- Are there other symptoms such as diarrhea or fever?
- If possible, bring the actual vomited material to the veterinarian. If not, take photos or videos to show the vet.
When bringing the material, use materials like aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent absorption, as tissues may absorb the content.
Explanation of the main content of vomit and guidelines for the urgency of visiting an animal hospital
Now, let’s explain what the main vomit of a cat consists of. Please use this information as a reference for the urgency of seeking veterinary care.
Clear Liquid: Primarily, it is considered to be a reflux of water or stomach fluids consumed shortly before. It is often caused by stomach discomfort due to stress or excessive stomach acid during an empty stomach. While it often resolves quickly, repeated vomiting can lead to dehydration. If vomiting persists, seek veterinary care promptly.
Yellow Foam: When the stomach is empty, vomiting yellowish liquid mixed with bile can occur due to excess stomach acid. Adjusting feeding intervals and frequency without changing the amount of food can usually resolve the issue. However, if the vomiting continues, it could be an early symptom of hepatitis or kidney disease, so seek veterinary attention promptly.
Green or Green Foam: Vomiting green liquid or foam indicates inflammation of the pancreas or excessive secretion of bile. It can occur when trying to digest foreign objects accidentally ingested or in cases of intestinal obstruction leading to repeated vomiting. Intestinal obstruction, especially, can be life-threatening, so take your pet to the animal hospital urgently.
Hairballs: Periodic vomiting of hairballs is due to discomfort caused by the accumulation of hair in the stomach. Cats with longer fur may vomit more frequently. Increasing brushing or switching to a diet that facilitates hairball elimination can reduce vomiting.
Undigested Food: Rapid ingestion of a large amount of food or drinking can lead to vomiting before reaching the stomach or regurgitation due to delayed digestion. The condition of the vomited food can indicate which organ may be affected.
Foreign Objects such as Strings or Fabrics: Ingesting non-food items can lead to repeated vomiting until the foreign object is expelled. If not all expelled, it may cause damage to the digestive organs, potentially leading to intestinal obstruction. If suspected, seek veterinary care promptly for examination.
Parasites: If you notice something moving in the vomit, there is a possibility of parasitic infection. Parasites are often found in feces as well, so check for their presence. Capture photos or videos of the vomit and take your pet to the hospital immediately. For multi-pet households, consider deworming all cohabiting animals.
Pink Liquid: Pink to red-colored liquid may indicate bleeding in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. It could be from hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or duodenitis. If similar pink-colored blood is present in nasal discharge, consider heart-related pulmonary edema and seek immediate veterinary attention.
Red Liquid to Dark Red-Black Liquid: Bright red liquid suggests internal bleeding, possibly related to gastrointestinal or pulmonary issues. Dark red-black color may indicate a rupture of a tumor in the digestive organs or a severe condition like heart-related pulmonary edema. In either case, urgent veterinary care is essential.
Vomiting is a common sign of various illnesses or health issues in pets. Regular observation and consulting your veterinarian when you notice any abnormalities are crucial, regardless of the urgency.
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In conclusion, Antigenne and its new brand Itgen have made remarkable achievements in the field of pet health and disease diagnosis by virtue of its excellent technical strength, rich product line and high quality service system. In the future, the company will continue to uphold the service concept of innovation, professionalism and attentiveness to provide pet owners with more high-quality and efficient pet health services, so that pet health and happiness will become a better vision for every family.
