Why does older cat throw up

This includes:. A chemistry and CBC general blood tests to screen for diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes. Abdominal radiographs to rule out larger tumors or foreign bodies that might be causing an obstruction. If these tests are normal, and your cat is acutely vomiting, your veterinarian will likely recommend supportive treatments with anti-nausea medications. Cats that vomit from hairballs can be placed on a special high-fiber diet along with a medication to help ease the passage of hairballs.

If your cat continues to vomit or has a history of chronic vomiting, further testing would be indicated as described below:. Gastrointestinal panel: This will test the pancreas enzymes to rule out pancreatitis. It will also look at cobalamin and folate to determine if there is evidence of malabsorption in the small intestines. Abdominal ultrasound: This imaging modality is very sensitive at identifying smaller foreign objects that x-rays cannot. This ultrasound looks at the pancreas and helps measure the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.

It will also help rule out any enlarged lymph nodes that can sometimes be seen with cancer. Chest x-rays: These may be recommended if it is not clear whether your cat is vomiting, regurgitating, or coughing. Chest x-rays are also recommended in older cats to rule out evidence of cancer. In some cases, the diagnostics come back normal or do not provide a definitive diagnosis. This can be seen if the disease is at the cellular level of the small intestines.

Your veterinarian may try a new diet prior to obtaining biopsies in the event that this is related to a food allergy. Home Diseases A-Z. Published: January 28, Have you started any prescribed or over-the-counter medications? What diet, including all treats, is your cat on? Do you have other cats in the house, and if so, are they also vomiting? How often is your cat vomiting, and what does the vomit look like? Is your cat still eating? How long has your cat been vomiting? Gastrointestinal Causes of Cat Vomiting Dietary indiscretion Foreign bodies Parasites Diet hypersensitivity Inflammatory bowel disease Constipation Cancer Ulceration Toxin ingestion ethylene glycol, chocolate , pesticides , etc.

Blood Blood can be seen with ulcerations, or if your cat vomits several times in a row, this can cause an irritation of the stomach lining and esophagus because of the increased acid. Worms The most common type of worm seen in cat vomit is roundworms. Food Cats who eat too much or too fast can vomit food, and it typically it appears in a tubular shape. Hairballs Cats can occasionally vomit hairballs , especially cats who overgroom or cats with long hair.

Brown Liquid This is usually indicative of digested blood further down the intestinal tract and can be seen with ulcerations, foreign bodies, or even hairballs in the intestines. Green Vomit If your cat is throwing up green vomit, this usually indicates that the food or substance was brought up from the small intestines. Mucus Mucus is typically seen if your cat is regurgitating and not vomiting. Your cat is vomiting and not eating. Your cat is vomiting and constipated.

Your cat is vomiting and having diarrhea. Your cat is vomiting and sneezing. Your cat is vomiting and drinking a lot. The most common food allergens in cats are beef, fish, and chicken.

Other ingredients can lead to allergies as well. Cats with food allergies are treated with special diets containing ingredients they haven't been exposed to before. Sudden vomiting can also be caused by poisoning, which is an emergency.

There are several sources of toxins in the average home:. Feline inflammatory bowel disease is another cause of vomiting. This disease can occur anywhere in a cat's intestinal tract, including the stomach gastritis , the small intestine enteritis , or the large intestine colitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which is part of the endocrine and digestive systems. Cats with pancreatitis show vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, fever, and an unwillingness to drink water or eat.

C hronic kidney disease CKD is common in older cats. Kidneys filter waste from the blood. They balance nutrients and play a role in controlling blood pressure. Signs of CKD include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, weight loss, and increased water consumption.

While CKD is a progressive disease, earlier intervention can lead to better outcomes. Diabetes is another endocrine disease. As with pancreatitis, vomiting is a common and often one of the first signs something is wrong.

Other signs include increased thirst, hunger, and urination as well as weight loss and muscle weakness. Frequent vomiting along with increased appetite and weight loss are also indicators of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system.

Additionally, your cat's fur may appear as if it's not being groomed as normal. Hepatic lipidosis is also known as 'fatty liver disease'. While not a primary cause of vomiting, persistent vomiting can lead to hepatic lipidosis. This disease can be fatal. However, it's often reversible, provided it's quickly diagnosed and treated.

Although hairballs are common in cats, they're no laughing matter. This disease occurs as a result of excess inflammation in the intestinal wall.

The cause is not always known, but the disease can become very severe in some cases, particularly if not treated early.

Some cats may actually have a form of cancer in their intestinal walls. This is called intestinal lymphoma and chronic vomiting is a symptom. All of these conditions can be treated, especially if diagnosed early.

Some of them can even be cured. Vomiting Julia Cardillo T Vomiting in cats is not a normal behavior. Hairballs Hairballs are not normal. Chronic Issues Associated with Vomiting Cats that are known to vomit on a regular basis are likely to also have a medical issue. If you are feeling uncertain about the amount of vomiting your cat is experiencing, talk to your veterinarian. Start a calendar at home where you document every time your cat vomits. This will allow you to determine how often the vomiting is occurring.