Vomiting in cats is not a serious issue if it happens once in a while as a single episode. However, if the vomiting is repeated, then it is not to be ignored and the cat should be taken to veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can determine the cause and the treatment.
Some of the symptoms which may indicate that the cat’s vomiting is more than a momentary discomfort are unlikely behavior patterns, such as increased or decreased energy levels, blood or hair in the vomit or the complete loss of appetite.
The visit to the veterinarian consists of a quick review of the history of illnesses, a physical examination and maybe some routine tests.
The doctor also checks if there are any side effects to vomiting, such as diarrhea and he or she also inquires about the vaccines and the diet.
During the physical examination, the doctor will be able to conclude if the cat has fever, it’s dehydrated or if there are some obstacles in the mouth or stomach, such as foreign objects.
Only when all this is done will the doctor be able to perform the tests. They start with blood works which are carried out to check the damage that the vomiting has possibly caused to the liver or kidneys and also the signs of anemia, dehydration or infection. Radiographs and X-rays search for some kinds of obstacles or the presence of foreign objects, as well as tumors. However, the device which gives the most precise information is the ultrasound.
If all these fails, there might be a necessity to perform exploratory surgery in order to inspect the intestinal tract. Even though this surgery requires hospital stay, it is indeed the most detailed and exact way to diagnose the problem.
Since the vomiting is not an illness itself, but always a symptom of something else, the most important thing is to discover the underlying condition and deal with it first. After that, the veterinarian will easily sort out the consequences of vomiting, such as dehydration, by inserting sterile electrolyte solutions with a syringe.
Conditions like infections and irritated stomach are treated less with antibiotics and anti-nauseants while problems such as swallowing foreign objects or tumors entail surgical interventions.
All in all, although vomiting is most likely to be an insignificant and easily treatable issue, it is important to react straight away. No matter which underlying condition is involved it is best to treat it immediately before further complications could arise.
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