Multiple cats got sick all at once

My parents have 9 cats 4 adults 2 of which had 5 kittens the adults are between 1-2 years roughly and the kittens are under 6 months last night 2 adults and 3 kittens got sick suddenly they started puking through the night and are now starting to vomit red randomly throughout the day.

I have thrown out their old food and replaced it. 8 of the cats sleep with my parents 1 sleeps separately he got sick despite the separation, I have given the cats fresh bottled water and am feeding them wet food currently. I want to know what could have caused it as I believe it had to be either food or environment related as well as a solution and how to help them recover I do not have the ability to take them to a vet myself currently. 2 affected cats are male 3 female.

Are there any suggestions or tips you can give me to handle this? They usually eat dry food mixed with wet food and just dry food at night we give them meow mix.

First, let me welcome you to TCS.   I wish it were under better circumstances!  

Unfortunately, we really can't tell you what caused it since we aren't vets, however your theories certainly sound reasonable to me.  However, your cats need to see a vet as soon as possible.  The red in their vomit is probably blood and that could be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.  Vomiting also can lead to dehydration which might require sub-q fluids.

Are you unable to get them to a vet because of transportation or finances?  If transportation is a problem, consider calling a mobile vet to come to the house.  If finances are a problem,  there is a list of resources at the end of this post.

Am I right in understanding that they are still eating?   One thing that might help steady their stomachs is to withhold food from them for a few hours.  After that feed them small quantities of a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and rice.  Give them several small meals a day.   Keep giving them liquid to help prevent dehydration.

The following might give you some helpful information on vomiting in cats:

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/vomiting-in-cats/390

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientEd/vomiting.aspx

For no/low cost vet care, you do have some options.  

If you are in the US: 

Check out VCA Animal Hospitals.  They are located in locations around the country and offer a free first exam.  It is pretty basic, but you would only have to pay for medication.  http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/offer

The Humane Society of the United States:  http://www.humanesociety.org/animal...ry_care.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/    Has a list of national resources as well as resources broken down by state.

Prince Chunk Foundation: Provides help with food and vet care.   856-302-6373  http://www.princechunkfoundation.org/veterinary-care-assistance.php

Best Friends  Provides help with vet care:   http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets

The Pet Fund:  Provides help with vet care:   http://thepetfund.com/   

Red Rover:  Provides small grants for vet care:    https://redrover.org/      https://redrover.org/redrover-relief-grants

Modest needs:  Funds a wide variety of small emergency needs,including vet care:    https://www.modestneeds.org/    

Ask the vet about a payment plan.  If he or she declines, CareCap is an organization that works with vets to try and set up a plan:    http://www.carecap.com/thepetfund/for-pet-owners

Go Fund Me:  a personal request for help:  https://www.gofundme.com/lp/welcome-4?pc=fb_pp_ga_120115_atconq_w22&gclid=CN6YqfrP2coCFcwWHwodg4YOsA

CareCredit:  A health care credit card that covers vet   http://www.carecredit.com/faqs/basics/

Consider also contacting a free on-line vet and asking about OTC medications for nausea. Never give a cat medication for humans unless recommended by a vet.   Here are a few on-line vets:  I've never used them so can't specifically recommend them - just letting you know of the option.

http://www.petcoach.co/

http://web-dvm.net/askthevet.html

http://www.vetlive.com/free-veterinary-advice-ask-an-online-vet-for-free/

Read the article below for some more ideas for low/no cost vet care:
[article="32915"]No Money For Vet Care How To Find Help And Save Your Cats Life  [/article]
Please keep us updated on your parents' cats well-being.  I hope they recover quickly.  

I have been using a syringe to give water to the cats to keep them hydrated. one of our cats has had an issue with not drinking enough during heat and would start to puke blood so I've had to deal with a similar issue. the main issue is finances.

on further observation 2 of the cats are vomiting blood and the others are not one of which had the previously mentioned puking problem I believe something in the food may have caused the damage but I'm not sure to what extent. The ones who aren't puking blood are still eating the ones who are have stopped eating entirely. Thank you for the help I attempted to contact an online vet but they tried to charge me before so I didn't think I could find a free one.

Corpsey said:

I have been using a syringe to give water to the cats to keep them hydrated. one of our cats has had an issue with not drinking enough during heat and would start to puke blood so I've had to deal with a similar issue. the main issue is finances.

on further observation 2 of the cats are vomiting blood and the others are not one of which had the previously mentioned puking problem I believe something in the food may have caused the damage but I'm not sure to what extent. The ones who aren't puking blood are still eating the ones who are have stopped eating entirely. Thank you for the help I attempted to contact an online vet but they tried to charge me before so I didn't think I could find a free one.

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Well, it would not surprise me if some of these on-line vets are really scam artists.  That's what always worries me about anything that says "free."  In fact, the third on-line vet I mentioned calls itself free and then right away says there is a charge - I just noticed that.    I'll stop suggesting that one.  

  Try the VCA animal hospital free first visit.  They might not get you in right away, unfortunately,  because the free visit doesn't cover emergencies.  

Don't let them go longer than a few hours without food, since they have already lost so much by vomiting earlier.  Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease if they go without eating for more than a couple of days.   You might need to syringe feed those who won't eat.  If you reach that point, try getting some garlic/onion free turkey or chicken baby food.  Many cats can't resist this.  

You said you suspect the food.   I checked for recalls on Meow Mix but didn't see any, although Meow Mix doesn't have the best reputation from a nutritional standpoint.  

I really hope your cats pull through.  

I actually checked recalls immediately this morning I didn't see any either but I did find a number of similar complaints which made me more suspicious, we had to throw out food that had been recalled once before as well which was also causing the cats to get sick. I can't say I control the food provided but I can make suggestions and if it requires more time than cost I can typically handle it as I work at night but don't have access to a vehicle during the day.