My 13 yo cat gags/vomits right after she starts purring

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
Hello,

My cat Emily started gagging / vomiting right after she starts purring.  I took her to the vet and they took blood (will have those results tomorrow) and xrays were clear.  When they palpated her abdomen she expelled gas ("tooted" for lack of a better word) which the vet said is very uncommon in cats. So she must be taking in the air when she gags. She does sound a little nasally to me but her lungs are clear.

   She is eating and drinking without vomiting.  It just happens after she starts purring........ I feel so bad for her. The few times she did come by me and I started petting her she began to purr then gag.   She has been hiding under the coffee table vs out and about as usual.    Any thoughts?   The next step would be an ultrasound of the abdomen  and cost is an issue as its $650.00.
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Doesn't sound good.... and the hiding is concerning also.... That is s clear sign of pain/discomfort :(
What is she eating? :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
I have 3 cats  - - - 2 adults and one kitten (6 mo.) They get EVO grain-free hard food but I  introduced Pro Nature grain free Duck formula about a week ago. I have been mixing the 2 with a 3 to 1 ratio and will gradually increase the duck formula over the next few weeks.

They also get soft food occasionally as a treat (the kitten gets it every day at night) and the soft food is also grain free by Wellness. I give them Greenies cat treats for her teeth.

She just ate some of the hard food and is sitting next to the couch by me now. I don't want to pet her as I don't want her to start gagging :(
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Did the gagging start after you introduced the new food?

Have you tried having her on wet only?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
Well I started introducing the new food last week Monday. She just started the gagging last night so it could be the new food. I guess I just assumed that  since I have been mixing the two with the larger ratio the old food and since its been over a week that the new food was OK  - -  see what happens when I assume - UGH.

I just wanted to make sure that kitten was getting all the nutrients she needs to grow as I cannot separate her from the other two for feedings. She has a fit as she wants to be out with the other cats and will not eat.  In a perfect world I would give her food targeted towards a kitten and leave the older two (13 & 12) on an adult Sr. food.  None of them are outdoor cats and the one older cat (Hannah) is chubby

I am going to pull it up and give all 3 just the old kibble and a serving of soft food.  

This might seem like a dumb question....... if she does have gas/air in her intestines is it safe to assume it will resolve itself (ie she will "toot")?

In searching the web and stumbled across a post from a cat owner with symptoms similar to Emily's.  Someone mentioned maybe a flair up of feline herpes as vibration from purring causes the mucus membranes that were inflammed from the virus to become agitated?  Anyone heard of this?  I know they say L-Lysine can help with herpes flair ups I have just never had a cat with this before.
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
The very first thing to do is to immediately remove the new food and go back to the foods with which she was ok. EVO is an all stage food, so the kittens will be fine....
Also, for everyone's benefit, the more wet food you give them, the better - wet food is healthier on their systems all the way around, especially on your old kitties kidneys.

An all wet diet would be the best way to go :nod:

I never heard Herpes having anything related to digestion.... but I might be off.....
I am fairly confident this is due to the new food..... If you remove it, it should resolve itself....
:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
Thank you!  They love the soft food vs the kibble anyway so they will be happy with that change :) 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
So my sweet Emily is not any better - - I removed all of the new food and only the old EVO food is out.   She is still doing the cough/gaging - -  I took her to the vet on Tuesday and she had no fever and her lungs were clear. Blood work was fine as were chest x-rays  I just don’t know what to do for her......... I started her on the Enisyl-F Oral Paste last night (L-Lysine) in the event that maybe it was herpes flair up.  The kitten is new to the house - has been there 3 months. However due to worms, mites and a mystery rash that caused her hair to fall out (remedied by 4 sulfur-lime baths over 4 weeks).  She was in quarantine for 6 weeks. 

I just don’t know what to do - -  I am so worried and very upset to see her like this.   I did forget to mention that she is on prednisone due to IBS that’s why I have the grain free diet.  The EVO I feed is the low-carb weight management feed so that’s why I began mixing the ProNature in as I know the kitten needs the calories whereas the 2 older cats do not (they are both a little chubby).

I know her immune system is suppressed because of the prednisone.  She has been on it for 13 months now.  This is the 1st time has shown any signs of being sick since starting it. She would be susceptible to the herpes virus if the kitten has it............................ any suggestion, thoughts etc. please. 

Like I said I am VERY upset and worried. I do not have children or a significant other so my animals ARE my family. 
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
[SIZE=10pt]So my sweet Emily is not any better - - I removed all of the new food and only the old EVO food is out.   She is still doing the cough/gaging - -  I took her to the vet on Tuesday and she had no fever and her lungs were clear. Blood work was fine as were chest x-rays  I just don’t know what to do for her......... I started her on the Enisyl-F Oral Paste last night (L-Lysine) in the event that maybe it was herpes flair up.  The kitten is new to the house - has been there 3 months. However due to worms, mites and a mystery rash that caused her hair to fall out (remedied by 4 sulfur-lime baths over 4 weeks).  She was in quarantine for 6 weeks. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]I just don’t know what to do - -  I am so worried and very upset to see her like this.   I did forget to mention that she is on prednisone due to IBS that’s why I have the grain free diet.  The EVO I feed is the low-carb weight management feed so that’s why I began mixing the ProNature in as I know the kitten needs the calories whereas the 2 older cats do not (they are both a little chubby).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10pt]I know her immune system is suppressed because of the prednisone.  She has been on it for 13 months now.  This is the 1st time has shown any signs of being sick since starting it. She would be susceptible to the herpes virus if the kitten has it............................ any suggestion, thoughts etc. please. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]Like I said I am VERY upset and worried. I do not have children or a significant other so my animals ARE my family.  :sweat: [/SIZE]
Hun, you need to give a little time...... These upsets can take a week or a couple of weeks to clear up when they happen......
Give it a little time, and let's see what happens....
Meanwhile, I would make sure she is taking a good probiotic, out of stress, and just keep going for a little while to see if things go back to normal. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
Thank you Carolina - I am just so worried as she seems miserable. She is usually so outgoing and wants to cuddle. Since this has started she just wants to be left alone.  Even the kitten is avoiding her which worries me as animals always can sense sickness in others.  Can you recommend a good probiotic? 

 I give them to my horse but have never given them to cats.  I did start them on omeg6/3 with brewer's yeast a month ago.

She is not at all happy about getting the L-Lysine - I got it from the vet vs over the counter as it's suppose to be more palitable. Tell that to emily as she is not buying it :)
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
[SIZE=10pt]Thank you Carolina - I am just so worried as she seems miserable. She is usually so outgoing and wants to cuddle. Since this has started she just wants to be left alone.  Even the kitten is avoiding her which worries me as animals always can sense sickness in others.  Can you recommend a good probiotic? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] I give them to my horse but have never given them to cats.  I did start them on omeg6/3 with brewer's yeast a month ago.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]She is not at all happy about getting the L-Lysine - I got it from the vet vs over the counter as it's suppose to be more palitable. Tell that to emily as she is not buying it :)[/SIZE]
Here is the Probiotic I like the most: [B]Proviable-DC[/B]
Here is a better solution for the Lysine, IMHO: Now Foods L-Lysine Powder
Just sprinkle/mix on her wet food, it has absolutely no taste..... No reason to give her a paste..... IMHO. Plus, this is cheap and it goes a LONG way....

Now, here is the thing..... if she is THAT miserable...... then I would take her to the vet :dk:
However..... make SURE to explain you had a change of food..... especially in IBS kitties this can cause major issues.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

3catsforme

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
22
Purraise
0
Thanks - I did bring her to the vet on Tuesday  - -  blood work, x-rays were all fine. No fever & of course the adrenaline was pumping she was not wheezing, hoarse or gagging/vomiting while there. So the vet said the next step would be an ultrasound as it could be that the IBS has now manifested to cancer L...
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
[SIZE=10pt]Thanks - I did bring her to the vet on Tuesday  - -  blood work, x-rays were all fine. No fever & of course the adrenaline was pumping she was not wheezing, hoarse or gagging/vomiting while there. So the vet said the next step would be an ultrasound as it could be that the IBS has now manifested to cancer[/SIZE] [SIZE=10pt]L[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]...[/SIZE]
Did you tell the vet you had just changed her food?
 
Top