Cat vomiting white foam: causes and treatment

Content

• Cat vomiting white foam: gastrointestinal causes
• Cat vomiting white foam: other causes
• Cat vomiting white foam: treatment and prevention

Although many caregivers think that it is normal for cats to vomit frequently, the fact is that acute episodes of vomiting or vomiting recurrent over time are always a reason for veterinary consultation and can have many different causes. In this PeritoAnimal article, we will explain the causes and treatment for cat vomiting white foam.

It is important to note whether the vomiting is acute (many vomiting in a short period of time) or chronic (1-2 vomiting daily or almost, and not remitting) and if, in addition, there are other symptoms such as diarrhea as they are information which must be passed to the veterinarian.

Cat vomiting white foam: gastrointestinal causes

The simplest reason behind a cat vomiting white foam is a digestive system irritation, which can have different causes. At the time of diagnosis, as mentioned above, it is important to take into account whether vomiting is sporadic or persistent and whether or not there are other associated symptoms.

Some of the gastrointestinal causes for a cat vomiting foam are the following:

• Gastritis: gastritis in cats can be both acute and chronic and, in both cases, requires veterinary assistance. In a picture of gastritis in cats, there is irritation of the stomach wall, such as when ingesting some substance such as grass, some food, medicine or toxic substances, so poisoning in cats is another cause of gastritis. When it is chronic, it is possible to observe that the cat's coat loses quality. If not treated, it will also be possible to notice weight loss. In younger cats, food allergy can be the cause of gastritis. For all these reasons, the veterinarian must identify the specific cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
• foreign bodies: In cats, the typical example is fur balls, especially during the fur changing season. Sometimes these hairs form, within the digestive system, hard balls known as trichobezoars, which can become so large that they cannot get out on their own. Thus, the presence of foreign bodies can cause irritation of the digestive system, but also an obstruction or even an intussusception (introduction of a segment of the intestine into the intestine itself), in which case surgical intervention is necessary.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: is one of the most common causes of vomiting in cats, and must be distinguished from other diseases such as lymphoma. The veterinarian will be responsible for carrying out the relevant examinations. In these cases, it is possible to notice the cat vomiting white foam and diarrhea, or at least changes in evacuation, in a chronic way, that is, that do not correct themselves with the passage of time.

Finally, remember that one of the best-known infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal system, feline panleukopenia, occurs with profuse vomiting and diarrhea, which in this case is often bloody. In addition, the cat usually has a fever, is discouraged and does not eat. This state means a veterinary urgency.

Cat vomiting white foam: other causes

In some cases, the cause that will explain why your cat vomits white foam it will not be in the stomach or intestine, but in various diseases that affect organs such as the liver, pancreas or kidney. Some of these conditions are as follows:

• pancreatitis: Feline pancreatitis can occur for different reasons and all require veterinary treatment. It occurs acutely or, more often, chronically and can occur together with other diseases, such as gastrointestinal, liver, diabetes, etc. It consists of an inflammation or swelling of the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing enzymes for digestion and insulin to metabolize sugar. Symptoms include vomiting, but also diarrhea, emaciation and poor coat.
• liver failure: The liver performs important functions such as waste elimination and metabolism. Failure to function always causes symptoms, many of them nonspecific, such as cat vomiting white foam that it does not eat or weight loss. In more advanced cases, jaundice occurs in cats, which is the yellowing of the mucous membranes and skin. Various diseases, toxins or tumors can affect the liver, so veterinary diagnosis and treatment are essential.
• Diabetes: Diabetes in cats is a common disease in cats over 6 years of age, characterized by inadequate or insufficient production of insulin, which is the substance responsible for delivering glucose to cells. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and symptoms develop. The most common symptom you may notice is that your cat drinks, eats and urinates more, although it does not put on weight, but vomiting, changes in the coat, bad breath, etc. can also occur. Treatment must be established by the veterinarian.
• Renal insufficiency: Kidney failure in cats is a very common disorder in older cats. Kidney damage can also occur acutely or chronically. Chronic kidney failure cannot be cured, but it can be treated to keep the cat having the best quality of life possible. Therefore, it is essential to go to the vet as soon as you notice symptoms such as a considerable increase in water intake, a change in urine excretion, loss of appetite, dehydration, bad coat, low mood, weakness, mouth sores, breathing with strange odor or vomiting. Acute cases require urgent veterinary attention.
• hyperthyroidism: The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for the production of thyroxine. Its excess implies the development of a clinical picture, especially in cats over 10 years old, which will consist of weight loss, significant increase in activity (you will notice that the cat does not stop), increased food and water intake, vomiting , diarrhea, greater elimination of urine and also more vocalizations, that is, the cat will be more "talkative". As always, it will be the veterinarian who, after carrying out the relevant tests, will diagnose the disease.
• parasites: when the cat vomits white foam and has not yet been dewormed, it may be infested with internal parasites. In these cases, you may also see the cat vomiting white foam without eating or the cat vomiting white foam and diarrhea. All these discomforts are caused by the action of parasites. As we said, this situation is more likely to occur in kittens than in adults, which are already more resistant to parasites. The vet will recommend some of the best products for deworming cats.

If you notice, most of these illnesses have similar symptoms, so it's essential consult the veterinarian without delay. As we have said, cat vomiting is often not normal, and it is necessary to identify the disease causing them as soon as possible to start treatment.

Cat vomiting white foam: treatment and prevention

Once we've exposed the most common causes that explain why a cat vomits white foam, let's go over some recommendations about what you can do to prevent the problem and know what to do in this situation:

• Vomiting is a symptom that you should not leave untreated, so you should visit a trusted veterinarian.
• It's a good idea to write down the symptoms you notice. In the case of vomiting, you should note composition and frequency. This can help the veterinarian reach a diagnosis.
• You must provide a proper diet for your cat's nutritional needs by avoiding foods that might make him feel bad or that might cause allergic reactions.
• It is also necessary to keep it in a safe environment to prevent it from swallowing any potentially dangerous object.
• As for hairballs, it is always convenient to brush your cat, especially during the moulting season, as this way you help to eliminate all the dead hairs that need to fall out. You can also count on the help of malt for cats or specially formulated feed to facilitate the movement of the hair.
• It's important to keep a schedule of indoor and outdoor worming, even if your cat doesn't have access to the outdoors. The veterinarian will give you the most suitable indications according to the specific circumstances.
• If your cat vomits once and is in a good mood, you can wait, observing the feline's behavior before contacting the vet. On the other hand, if vomiting is repeated, if you notice other symptoms, or if your cat is feeling down, you should go directly to the vet, without trying to treat him yourself.
• Finally, from 6 or 7 years of age, it is advisable to take your cat at least once a year to the veterinary clinic for a revisioncomplete which includes exams.This is necessary because in these reviews, it is possible to diagnose some of the diseases we talked about earlier, which allows you to start treatment before the first symptoms appear.

For more information about cat vomiting, check out our YouTube video:

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.