Old kitty repeatedly vomiting

I have a 17 yr old kitty who has always had a hairball vomiting problem. Within the past year she has begun to vomit repeated, mostly after eating her hard food. She has been to the vet twice, and her bloodwork is fine. I stopped feeding her hard food which remedied the problem, but now she has begun to vomit her soft food shortly after eating. She has lost a lot of weight in this past year but she seems happy and active. I can't afford to keep taking her to the vet for more testing and I feel that this problem is a result of aging. I don't know what to do though because it doesn't seem like she is ready to go, yet I don't want to wait until she is suffering to put her down.

Anyone have a similar situation, maybe suggestions?

Originally Posted by cnurach7

I have a 17 yr old kitty who has always had a hairball vomiting problem. Within the past year she has begun to vomit repeated, mostly after eating her hard food. She has been to the vet twice, and her bloodwork is fine. I stopped feeding her hard food which remedied the problem, but now she has begun to vomit her soft food shortly after eating. She has lost a lot of weight in this past year but she seems happy and active. I can't afford to keep taking her to the vet for more testing and I feel that this problem is a result of aging. I don't know what to do though because it doesn't seem like she is ready to go, yet I don't want to wait until she is suffering to put her down.

Anyone have a similar situation, maybe suggestions?

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I know $$ may be tight but sounds like the kitty needs a senior blood panel .. ie kidneys liver pancras

How long ago was bloodwork done? There is unfortunately no way to tell you with any certainty what the trouble is without it. If the blood comes back normal, the vet should look for blockages with an X-ray. It's possible she could have an impacted hairball, which hairball meds will have no effect on, or she may have swallowed some object which is lodged in the intestines.

I think you were wise to start her on canned food - use the highest quality brand you can afford. Dry food can be tough on the kidneys, as well as difficult to digest.

Your cat may have something that will be easily remedied with medication but really, the vet is the only one who can tell you that. Since she is active and happy, yet losing weight, be sure the vet tests for thyroid problems. You'll also want to know her kidney and liver values. 17 is a senior kitty, but she may very well have several good years left to her yet!!! Please try to get her checked out ASAP, because if she's vomiting too much food, she's not getting enough nutrition and that can damage the liver, along with the obvious problem of weight loss.

Please let us know how she's doing.

also dental issues can pop up quickly and affect an older cat's appetite...but I vote for a thyroid issue or kidney changes.