Possible Intestinal Obstruction?

Okay, so, for roughly 48 hours now my 10 month old kitten, Button, has been vomiting. Sometimes he goes on for about ten minutes, and then has a 6-7 hour break, and then he'll start again. The vomit is yellow bile and there's about a tablespoon of it... after he's finished vomiting up the bile, he'll throw up some yellow foam, as well. He always drools right before vomiting, and drools a little none-the-less too, but a few members told me that that's probably because he feels nauseous?

Anywhooo, we managed to contact a vet, though he's in another city and specialises in larger animals, not cats and dogs etc. We talked to him none-the-less and told him all of butty's symptoms (due to him being in another city we didn't want to take Button to him... + my mum is too lazy to do that eURGH. Anywho, he said that it sounds like he's got food-poisoning, though how on earth that happened is beyond me. There isn't anything that he possibly could have eaten! Though my Mum does say that he licks the plaster/paint off of the wall sometimes, but that's a habit that Indie put into him The only other thing I can think of is that he possibly ate some sort of bug? But other than that I'm honestly REALLY unsure if it's food poisoning...

Also, the vet prescribed some medicine. He told me to give Button Flagyl and Galvinate until his symptoms clear up. I looked them both up online and I can't believe that Flagyl actually has side-effects that are ALREADY Button's symptoms I'm mad that the vet's prescribing a anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic when he hasn't even checked Button over at all! ARGH and on top of all this my mum is admant to stick with this vet... I'm just. Going. To. Scream.

Also, is Flagyl often prescribed in cases of vomiting? I read that it's for anti-diahhrea but Butty isn't pooping at all... what about Galvinate? Any experiences with that?

Imo the vet didn't ask ANY of the right questions. All he did was ask his symptoms and ask his age? Shouldn't he ask if he is an indoor or an outdoor cat? Or how often he's been vomiting? Or how much? I'm probably just over-reacting but mmmmmmmm

Anyway, what I personally thing is wrong with Button is that he are something that he shouldn't have and maybe that's causing some sort of blockage. This is because he isn't using his litter-box either, and I know how dangerous it can get if a cat doesn't pee, or poop for that matter... so what I'm asking is will it be possible to feel the 'thing' that's blocking his gut if I feel around his stomach a little? Maybe if I can show my mum proof that he hasn't been food poisoned, then maybe she'll switch vets?

Though I did give the Flagyl yesterday, because my Mum was nagging me to do so even-though I was pretty iffy about it. He was fine for a while (though he foamed at the mouth A LOT as soon as it went in his mouth) and he didn't puke for the rest of the day? I continued drop-feeding him chicken broth, but he still didn't have any interest in actual boiled chicken... I'll probably make a puree soon and see if he manages to keep that down.

I think that he's keeping food down. If they keep it down for a few hours that's good right? I think? But he DID vomit again last night under the bed. But it's only once as far as I can see! And no foam this time, either! Could the Flagyl be working? Or did he still puke because of a possible intestinal obstruction? Please respond soon! I've been up for two nights in a row trying to make him better!

Honestly, I think Button needs to actually see a vet for a diagnosis ASAP.  if it is an obstruction, that is a medical emergency and not something anyone can treat over the phone or at home.  

I'm sorry not to be able to give other advice, but I genuinely think your cat has to see a vet.

I know he does. But my Mum is pretty sure that the Flagyl will work... I'm terrified for him and I just don't know what to do! Even if I do manage to pursuade my mum to get him properly seen, the Emergency clinic doesn't open till 11am!! It's not even 5am now!!

Flagyl is often given even without diarrhea, it is an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is often given.  My IBD kitty that is prone to constipation has had a few rounds of it.  The stuff is extremely bitter so your kitty will drool a lot when you give it to him.  Many people put it in an empty gel cap so kitty won't taste it.

Given your kitten's age an obstruction really needs to be ruled out.  If he were older I would say it is some kind of digestive issue but cats at this age are still prone to eating things that they shouldn't eat.

Denice said:

 
Flagyl is often given even without diarrhea, it is an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is often given.  My IBD kitty that is prone to constipation has had a few rounds of it.  The stuff is extremely bitter so your kitty will drool a lot when you give it to him.  Many people put it in an empty gel cap so kitty won't taste it.

Given your kitten's age an obstruction really needs to be ruled out.  If he were older I would say it is some kind of digestive issue but cats at this age are still prone to eating things that they shouldn't eat.

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Alright, thankyou for letting me know! I was worried about his foaming, he really doesn't seem to like it at all! I've got it in the syrup form, poor Butty
And I know I can't shake off the niggling feeling that it IS an obstruction. The only symptom that he hasn't got for an obstruction is that he isn't vomiting up poop and he isn't vomiting after eating (he isn't eating at all, without me having to force-feed him!) Seeing as he's keeping the force-fed chicken broth down, could this mean that it WAS just food poisoning or should I still push Mum to take him in to a vet properly?

Kittens Mom said:

 
I'm curios if this vet has ever seen your cat. It's very unusual for a vet to prescribe over the phone unless you have an established vet/client/patient relationship.

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That's the vets over here for you! I'm unsure if he's actually even properly qualified... I'm not sure, and Mum won't give me a straight answer I wish that I had more help with handling Butty and making him healthy again... I'm struggling and I'm doing everything I can to keep him hydrated and nourished. But with limited supplies in this country, it really is hard

It could be a blockage, it could be an infection, it could be food poisoning. There is really no way to tell unless you can get your cat to a vet. He needs to eat or he's at risk of getting much sicker.

I am going through a very similar thing right now with Fonzy. 

For about a month he's been vomiting on and off. It's been a mix of food, hairballs and grass.  Thinking it was just hairballs i really knuckled down with my brushing - but the vomiting continued (no more hairballs tho!) 

Last week it really amped up tho. Several times per day.  It also changed from his food to stomach acid and bile (The smell.. omg!!!)    So we took him to the vet.  Blood and Urine tests ruled out diabetes.   Vet thought maybe food allergy?  He has crystals so is on a special diet and we only had 1 brand for that until recently over here in Australia.  So we switched him to the second brand.  Seemed ok for 2 day's - then the vomiting returned with high intensity.

Took him for an Ultrasound.  Everything looked good but was told his intestines were dilated and had fluid.   They wanted to do exploratory surgery as the next step.  

After getting him home from the Ultrasound he was upset with me (generally is after a Vet visit - but he comes around generally the next day or so).   He hid under the couch all night. Had my partner help the next morning to lift the couch.  Pulled him out and took him to bed (Cuddle spot)  but he'd have none of it and jumped off and curled up under the bedside table.  HE seemed really lethargic.  Like slow to get up and move.  Thought maybe he was exhausted from the big day - because the urine test was only suggested after the blood test we raced him to the emergency vet very early that morning due to him vomiting a lot during the night - and they needed the pee test to rule out diabetes. I did not want to take any chances that he may have been crashing / diabetes. 

This morning when checking his food / water bowl - he had barely eaten or drunk anything - which was strange as he had pee'd 3 times and it seemed to be for a decent amount.   He was still really lethargic and he vomited once more this morning  (You should see my house - white patches everywhere!!  I dump bicarb soda onto it immediately after removing the chunky stuff. It absorbs it all for the most part then you can just vacuum it out and light spot cleaning after. )  

I called the Vet and described his behavior / not eating much food or drinking.  They agreed with my concerns and wanted to get him in ASAP for surgery.   Have since called for an update - No foreign body's in his intestines. They are taking a biopsy.  

I was hoping to hell it would have been string or something - at least it would have made sense and been fixed then / there.    I still don't know what's going on with my baby boy  

Fonzy was not given any medications for the vomiting.  My vet is really good - they do not play guessing games!!   Hell they even pushed back other peoples appointments so they could get him in for surgery ASAP too.  

FonzysMuM said:

 
I am going through a very similar thing right now with Fonzy. 

For about a month he's been vomiting on and off. It's been a mix of food, hairballs and grass.  Thinking it was just hairballs i really knuckled down with my brushing - but the vomiting continued (no more hairballs tho!) 

Last week it really amped up tho. Several times per day.  It also changed from his food to stomach acid and bile (The smell.. omg!!!)    So we took him to the vet.  Blood and Urine tests ruled out diabetes.   Vet thought maybe food allergy?  He has crystals so is on a special diet and we only had 1 brand for that until recently over here in Australia.  So we switched him to the second brand.  Seemed ok for 2 day's - then the vomiting returned with high intensity.

Took him for an Ultrasound.  Everything looked good but was told his intestines were dilated and had fluid.   They wanted to do exploratory surgery as the next step.  

After getting him home from the Ultrasound he was upset with me (generally is after a Vet visit - but he comes around generally the next day or so).   He hid under the couch all night. Had my partner help the next morning to lift the couch.  Pulled him out and took him to bed (Cuddle spot)  but he'd have none of it and jumped off and curled up under the bedside table.  HE seemed really lethargic.  Like slow to get up and move.  Thought maybe he was exhausted from the big day - because the urine test was only suggested after the blood test we raced him to the emergency vet very early that morning due to him vomiting a lot during the night - and they needed the pee test to rule out diabetes. I did not want to take any chances that he may have been crashing / diabetes. 

This morning when checking his food / water bowl - he had barely eaten or drunk anything - which was strange as he had pee'd 3 times and it seemed to be for a decent amount.   He was still really lethargic and he vomited once more this morning  (You should see my house - white patches everywhere!!  I dump bicarb soda onto it immediately after removing the chunky stuff. It absorbs it all for the most part then you can just vacuum it out and light spot cleaning after. )  

I called the Vet and described his behavior / not eating much food or drinking.  They agreed with my concerns and wanted to get him in ASAP for surgery.   Have since called for an update - No foreign body's in his intestines. They are taking a biopsy.  

I was hoping to hell it would have been string or something - at least it would have made sense and been fixed then / there.    I still don't know what's going on with my baby boy  

Fonzy was not given any medications for the vomiting.  My vet is really good - they do not play guessing games!!   Hell they even pushed back other peoples appointments so they could get him in for surgery ASAP too.  

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I hope Fonzy is feeling better soon! I know how worried sick you must be about him... it really is terrifying when you don't know what's wrong with your baby Your vet sounds super though! Exactly how a proper vet should be, Fonzy sounds like he's in great hands! Could it be a case of IBD? I hope it's nothing too serious and is just a one off thing!

Also, I THINK Butty is doing a little better on his meds? He absolutely HATES them though and tries to squirm away whenever he sees the syringe come out... But he's drinking water on his own now, so!! He still hasn't eaten yet, but he was only sick once last night! I'm hoping that's a good sign, fingers-crossed he's back to his normal self in no more than another day! I'm still feeding him chicken broth through a syringe, too, and he's drinking a lot more of it than before! I'll probably promote him up to a chicken paste, soon.

He's doing ok and is still at the overnight / emergency vet for monitoring.   No fever but he's not eating so they may want to keep him a bit longer - or send him home if they think he is not eating due to stress / wanting to be at home  

They found 3 sections on his intestines that had thickened, and taken samples to find out what's up.  It may be IBD

I'll be looking to change his diet ASAP - get him off the processed things and switch him to this:  http://www.completepet.com.au/     Knowing in Humans how processed foods can cause issues -  im  100% sure the same happens with our furry friends but on a much worse scale as the stuff they do put into their food is often unfit for human consumption.   I don't think it will hurt to try at least.

Fonzy is really passive.  He was rescued from abusive breeders as a kitten. Unsure if it's because of that or because I've completely spoiled him  He does not like tablets but i can give them to him with relative ease. his younger sister is the complete opposite - get it in there, hold her mouth closed gently while rubbing her chin - you can do that for 3-5mins and you think she's swallowed it as she walks off without opening her mouth or anything.   You'll find it on the floor somewhere 2mins later!

How is Buttons doing?    Ohhh - was talking to a workmate yesterday. She said if you give them a drop of Penta-vite it should give them an energy boost and restore appetite.  I may try this - but I will query this with my Vet first beforehand tho.  

Poor Fonzy, I hope he's home and back to his usual self soon!

I think that one of my cats have IBD, Indie, my eldest. He gets the runs with ANY commercial cat food brand it's really strange... but I've since put him on a raw diet and he's been doing great, apart from the odd spout of vomiting every couple of months. But that's just because he eats too fast lmao. You could try talking to your vet about a raw diet? I think that might help!

And Button's improving a lot! The vet prescribed some Flagyl and some Entox-P tablets and those seem to be working. He pooped at least, so I'm guessing that's a good sign! He even seemed a little more interested in his food, though still isn't eating on his own quite yet. He's keeping the chicken paste down though, so I'm really pleased, plus his vomiting is cutting down a lot! He even had a little purring fit today, as he usually does, rubbing his face all over me and everything! He's still a little weak, but there's definately an improvement!