Cat Vomits when fed more than a little food

catman513 · Feb 12, 2012

By trial and error, I have narrowed this down to where the cat has to be fed about a level tablespoon of wet or dry food every hour and a half or so, otherwise he will vomit it up. If he is fed twice in short order, or allowed to eat more than a small amount, out it comes. It doesn't matter if it is wet or dry, cheap or expensive food. It all about the volume.

So I am going to set up a timed feeder for a tablespoon every hour an a half or so round the clock.

He is a three year old Siamese pure bred. I assume he has a very small stomach. I can't imagine surgery for an eating problem like this, but would not rule it out if anyone has heard of such a thing.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

orientalslave · Feb 12, 2012

Thowing up after eating even small amounts isn't normal for any cat, purebred or not. Have you been to the vet about this?

catman513 · Feb 12, 2012

When he was a year old the vet looked at him and couldn't find anything wrong.

rafm · Feb 12, 2012

Have you spoken with his breeder? That is definitely not normal and feeding on such a stringent schedule may be difficult long term.

The breeder needs to know about this issue so they can see if others from the litter are having similar problems.

And when you say that the vet couldn't find anything wrong, was an ultrasound performed, or at a minimum an X-ray. Without either of those tests happening, I would be reluctant to say there isn't something more serious going on.

catman513 · Feb 12, 2012

Well, the breeder was not very helpful when I contacted her last. I think the bottom fell out for her health and finances and it seemed as though she was more needy than helpful.

I got to thinking after the last post and realized that he did not get an Xray or Ultrasound last time. I use a mobile vet for the shots and minor matters and was not at the clinic. I think I'll take him in tomorrow. I don't think my vet has CT or MRI imaging. I wonder if I should start with one who does? They do have Xray there.

Thanks.

StefanZ · Feb 12, 2012

Right, its apparently place for a fully equipped vet clinic, not just a free time practicioner.

I had met with such, some human virus infections, with immediate throwing up of anything eaten or drink, you can held them up with a tea spoon of pedialyte every 10-15 minutes... There is thus no dehydration nor exhaustation....That virus is usually going over by itself in several days.

But this here is nothing such, you had it at least two years. Nay, it is NOT normal.

Good luck!

rafm · Feb 12, 2012

CT or MRI is very expensive and only very well equipped and specialized vet offices will have them. When we were going to have an MRI for our dog it was going to cost $2,000.

Start with an X-ray or ultrasound.

violet · Feb 12, 2012

This piece of information talks about the diagnostic tests that might be necessary with a problem like this.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21764618

From what I know, vets are quite reluctant to do invasive testing unless they absolutely don't have any other choice.

Also, they advise feeding canned food rather than dry because dry can further irritate the esophagus.

catman513 · Feb 13, 2012

He is at the vet now. He had an Xray and blood test. Awaiting results of those. the vet did say that chronic inflammation is often the cause and it is treated with prednisone. Pancreatitis also a possible cause, but doubtful here because of the absence of bile in the vomit. More later. Many thanks.

PS: Jack will get a CT scan or an MRI if the vet suggests it. I can't buy him a car or send him to college, so why not.

PPS: Confirm on invasive testing. They will do an endoscopy if the blood and Xray are unhelpful. Again, a specialist must do these. Not even the full service vet. I'd like to take him to Childrens Hospital but I don't think they would have a sense of humor about it.

I guess I should put up a photo. I hope that here is ok:

brandy rowe · Feb 13, 2012

What a pretty boy! My kitty Mario has IBD and I'm narrowing down certain allergens in her diet. (the vet had to do tests and an endoscopy).

She's in pretty much the same boat. She can only eat a tablespoon of kibble every hour or she vomits also. She's on prenidolone, but it's a steroid and bad for kitties - can cause diabetes so you'll want to not keep him on it long. I'm trying to wean Mario off of it but I have to find out exactly what is causing her upset tummy first

Good luck - let us know what you find out!

What food do you feed him?

catman513 · Feb 14, 2012

Xray yesterday showed no growths or obstructions. Waiting for blood work.

Thank. He is pretty and very very affectionate.

I am feeding him Evo right now because of its much higher nutrition and fat to volume. He won't eat raw meat, fish or poultry eggs or milk. He won't even eat a bit of bacon or ham from the hand (not that I would feed him that sort of stuff). He's a picky eater.

brandy rowe · Feb 14, 2012

Oh poor guy - I hope it's not serious!!

I think most kitties with GI issues are picky eaters - my girl definitely is! She won't eat any people food (ham tuna etc) at all!

gardenandcats · Feb 14, 2012

I have owned Siamese for the past 34 years. Right now I have 4 two have vomiting issues they both have had all the test run that need to be and nothing was found to be wrong. Both I find that if i feed the small amounts they do ok but let them eat more then a couple of tablespoons and up it comes. One only eats canned won't touch any dry. the other eats either..I just have found it best to feed small amounts and hope for the best. they are both good weight and no other issues. I have other Siamese that tend to vomit more then the nromal cat and have yet to find any health problems. I wonder if its the siamese breed.

I tried many different brands of foods. Didn't matter what brand just how much they eat at one time.. and spent large amounts of money having test run and never found anything that would cause it..Hope you find the cause keeping my fingers crossed for you.

catman513 · Feb 14, 2012

That is very helpful to hear. Jack is very active and healthy looking and so far all of the tests have been normal. Waiting on pancreas test.

Since I became more aware of this problem and have been feeding strategically, he has gained 2 pounds to 9.5 pounds. If all truns out normal I will try a timed feeder to get the eight or so feedings a day I have been doing.

Thanks again to all.

caramelblond · Feb 14, 2012

Hello,

Your guy is quite regal looking, beautiful. My mom's cat used to have a vomiting problem from the time he was about a year old until he was four. We thought it was hairballs but the vomit didn't have hair in it half the time. Long story short, he had an allergy to grain products and after researching this issue we switched him to a grain free diet and, thank goodness, he hasn't vomited since, except for an unrelated illness. Has he always been on the EVO or is this new. Like they said above, wet is better than dry. You are probably correct, the children's hospital may look at you funny.

My Buddy is being treated for hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis and possible IBD. It is a learning game, lots of research and questions so I know what you are going through. Everyone here is great and gives wonderful help. Good luck with your guy.

Janice and Buddy

catman513 · Feb 14, 2012

Caramelblond said:
Hello,

Your guy is quite regal looking, beautiful. My mom's cat used to have a vomiting problem from the time he was about a year old until he was four. We thought it was hairballs but the vomit didn't have hair in it half the time. Long story short, he had an allergy to grain products and after researching this issue we switched him to a grain free diet and, thank goodness, he hasn't vomited since, except for an unrelated illness. Has he always been on the EVO or is this new. Like they said above, wet is better than dry. You are probably correct, the children's hospital may look at you funny.

My Buddy is being treated for hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis and possible IBD. It is a learning game, lots of research and questions so I know what you are going through. Everyone here is great and gives wonderful help. Good luck with your guy.

Janice and Buddy

Many thanks. Those are the three suspects my vet was looking at after ruling out growths and obstruction per the Xray: "hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis and possible IBD." He was satisfied by a physical exam of the thyroid, but is still working on the other two.

I think this calls for another photo:

catman513 · Feb 18, 2012

Well, no pancreas problem. So, endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach or just try feeding reduced portions? I'm going to think about it pretty carefully. I didn't like the anesthesia or the recovery from the Xray.

Any thoughts?

ldg · Feb 18, 2012

What a beautiful boy! Regal is definitely the word!

I'd just like to make sure I understand what's already been done: blood work and x-ray, right? And you have results back - everything looks fine. No pancreatitis, liver function fine, and you're waiting on thyroid results?

IBD can only be confirmed by the biopsy, though if it's IBS, I don't think you get a conclusive answer. I'll ask Carolina to check into this thread, as she knows about IBD and IBS.

One of our kitties has recently been having issues with throwing up after some meals, and her appetite has strangely been waxing and waning. We know she was constipated, which may have started this, and caused her to feel nauseous. We had an x-ray done to see if she was blocked. Nothing showed up. Since the situation hasn't resolved, we're having an ultrasound done next to see if anything turns up that couldn't be seen on an x-ray. As her blood work was great, the vet is thinking a potential partial blockage. Maybe she ate some plastic or something? That doesn't show up on x-ray. If the ultrasound is clear, then we move on to a barium study, to see how things are passing through her. It means we have to leave her at the vet for about 8 hours.

The vet mentioned trying metronizadole. It's an antibiotic used for many internal parasites, but primarily it has anti-inflammatory properties, and if inflammation is the issue, it would help. Of course... if there is inflammation, I'd like to know what's causing it. But it's an option in the arsenal. Not sure when, or if, we'll try it.

We haven't talked about where to go from there...

Just thought I'd share the steps we're taking with our girl.

Vibes for your beautiful boy - and you! :vibes:

just mike · Feb 18, 2012

What a gorgeous boy he is

I have 2 Snowshoe cats that I adore. I'm really sorry you guys are going through all this.

Going to the vet is the best possible medicine in this case and I hope they get to the bottom of the problem. I have not read the rest of the thread yet so maybe a resolution has already been found. But I had to comment on the picture

just mike · Feb 18, 2012

gardenandcats said:
I have owned Siamese for the past 34 years. Right now I have 4 two have vomiting issues they both have had all the test run that need to be and nothing was found to be wrong. Both I find that if i feed the small amounts they do ok but let them eat more then a couple of tablespoons and up it comes. One only eats canned won't touch any dry. the other eats either..I just have found it best to feed small amounts and hope for the best. they are both good weight and no other issues. I have other Siamese that tend to vomit more then the nromal cat and have yet to find any health problems. I wonder if its the siamese breed.

I tried many different brands of foods. Didn't matter what brand just how much they eat at one time.. and spent large amounts of money having test run and never found anything that would cause it..Hope you find the cause keeping my fingers crossed for you.

That is interesting to know Garden. My 2 Snowshoes have no eating disorders at all. But they are not pure Siamese. Snowshoes are are a recognized breed but are a Siamese/DSH mix. I sure have my fingers crossed for Jack too.

Cat Vomits when fed more than a little food

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