Is my cat sick?

[Welsh Dog]

I've had a little female cat since she was a kitten. She was feral and
abandoned under a bush by her mother so we took her in, bathed her to
kill off the fleas and had her spayed... that was 4 years ago.

She's not exactly 'friendly' most of the time, preferring to come and
go as she pleases tho *is* friendly with my 12 year old daughter,
allowing only her to carry her, and sleeping on her bed during the
day.

After a few years insisting on only eating 'Whiskas, we tried her on
Purina dry food which she really took to and refuses to eat anything
else we give her (tho is till partial to birds lizards, mice etc she
catches herself). She has fresh water available of course but
otherwise that's all we give her.

Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.

She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.

Should we be worried??

Welshdog

[Gandalf]

Post by Welsh Dog
I've had a little female cat since she was a kitten. She was feral and
abandoned under a bush by her mother so we took her in, bathed her to
kill off the fleas and had her spayed... that was 4 years ago.
She's not exactly 'friendly' most of the time, preferring to come and
go as she pleases tho *is* friendly with my 12 year old daughter,
allowing only her to carry her, and sleeping on her bed during the
day.
After a few years insisting on only eating 'Whiskas, we tried her on
Purina dry food which she really took to and refuses to eat anything
else we give her (tho is till partial to birds lizards, mice etc she
catches herself). She has fresh water available of course but
otherwise that's all we give her.
Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.
She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.
Should we be worried??
Welshdog

I had a cat that did that simply from eating too fast. It took quite a
while for TED to figure this out.

It started (and not right away...of course!) when I had to stop free
feeding her, as she had grown decidedly round.

So when I gave her her measured food, she inhaled it with all haste, and
then, a few to 10 minutes later, threw it up again. But, not every time,
of course.

It hindsight, this seems obvious. But at the time, it certainly wasn't.

But, in any case, I would still take the cat to the vet, immediately, to
be certain your cat does not have a digestive ailment of some kind.

This sort of thing can be an early indicator of several possibly serious
conditions. The earlier it is caught and treated, the better.

Eating wildlife, while instinctive for a former feral, leaves them VERY
susceptible to parasites, and many other illnesses.

I hope it is something as simple as what afflicted my cat.

The 'cure' was to divide her food into two equal portions, and give them
to her about 15 minutes apart.

She almost never threw up again, after that, and lived to 16 or 17 years
old. (I got her as an young adult, without knowing her exact age.)

Sadly, she wet to the Bridge in on 6/9/1999. I miss her, every single
day :(

~~~~~~~~~~~~ >^..^<

"Life without cats would be only marginally worth living."
-TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie.

Every day is a treasure with Kenzie; I try to treat them that way. There
will only be so many, and then there will never, ever, be any more.

How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven.
- Robert Heinlein
Thank you for rescuing a feral kitten would certainly have died, without
your love and care.

[Welsh Dog]

<snip>

Post by Gandalf

Post by Welsh Dog
Should we be worried??

I had a cat that did that simply from eating too fast. It took quite a
while for TED to figure this out.
It started (and not right away...of course!) when I had to stop free
feeding her, as she had grown decidedly round.
So when I gave her her measured food, she inhaled it with all haste, and
then, a few to 10 minutes later, threw it up again. But, not every time,
of course.
It hindsight, this seems obvious. But at the time, it certainly wasn't.

This cat is slim and highly strung... no fat anywhere on here! :)

Post by Gandalf
But, in any case, I would still take the cat to the vet, immediately, to
be certain your cat does not have a digestive ailment of some kind.
This sort of thing can be an early indicator of several possibly serious
conditions. The earlier it is caught and treated, the better.
Eating wildlife, while instinctive for a former feral, leaves them VERY
susceptible to parasites, and many other illnesses.

Parasites from eating wildlife didn't occur to me to be honest.... so
yes you're probably right.

Looks like she's off to visit the vet.

Welshdog

[wendy]

Post by Welsh Dog
<snip>

Post by Gandalf

Post by Welsh Dog
Should we be worried??

I had a cat that did that simply from eating too fast. It took quite a
while for TED to figure this out.
It started (and not right away...of course!) when I had to stop free
feeding her, as she had grown decidedly round.
So when I gave her her measured food, she inhaled it with all haste, and
then, a few to 10 minutes later, threw it up again. But, not every time,
of course.
It hindsight, this seems obvious. But at the time, it certainly wasn't.

This cat is slim and highly strung... no fat anywhere on here! :)

Post by Gandalf
But, in any case, I would still take the cat to the vet, immediately, to
be certain your cat does not have a digestive ailment of some kind.
This sort of thing can be an early indicator of several possibly serious
conditions. The earlier it is caught and treated, the better.
Eating wildlife, while instinctive for a former feral, leaves them VERY
susceptible to parasites, and many other illnesses.

Parasites from eating wildlife didn't occur to me to be honest.... so
yes you're probably right.
Looks like she's off to visit the vet.
Welshdog
--
News and views... for people like youse!!
Australian Opinion
(http://australianopinion.com)
Not as strange as it looks!

Keep on the lookout for tapeworm segments. The cat could get a tapeworm if
it ingests rodents or fleas. I had a cat years ago who used to throw up
whenever she had a tapeworm. In her case that was the only noticeable
symptom as her fecal exam came back negative. She had to barf up a worm
before the vet would prescribe Drontal for her.

W

[Kyla =^..^=]

"Gandalf" ...

On Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:06:16 +1100, Welsh Dog <>

Post by Welsh Dog
I've had a little female cat since she was a kitten. She was feral and
abandoned under a bush by her mother so we took her in, bathed her to
kill off the fleas and had her spayed... that was 4 years ago.
She's not exactly 'friendly' most of the time, preferring to come and
go as she pleases tho *is* friendly with my 12 year old daughter,
allowing only her to carry her, and sleeping on her bed during the
day.
After a few years insisting on only eating 'Whiskas, we tried her on
Purina dry food which she really took to and refuses to eat anything
else we give her (tho is till partial to birds lizards, mice etc she
catches herself). She has fresh water available of course but
otherwise that's all we give her.
Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.
She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.
Should we be worried??
Welshdog

I had a cat that did that simply from eating too fast. It took quite a
while for TED to figure this out.
It started (and not right away...of course!) when I had to stop free
feeding her, as she had grown decidedly round.
So when I gave her her measured food, she inhaled it with all haste, and
then, a few to 10 minutes later, threw it up again. But, not every time,
of course.
It hindsight, this seems obvious. But at the time, it certainly wasn't.
But, in any case, I would still take the cat to the vet, immediately, to
be certain your cat does not have a digestive ailment of some kind.
This sort of thing can be an early indicator of several possibly serious
conditions. The earlier it is caught and treated, the better.
Eating wildlife, while instinctive for a former feral, leaves them VERY
susceptible to parasites, and many other illnesses.
I hope it is something as simple as what afflicted my cat.
The 'cure' was to divide her food into two equal portions, and give them
to her about 15 minutes apart.
She almost never threw up again, after that, and lived to 16 or 17 years
old. (I got her as an young adult, without knowing her exact age.)
Sadly, she wet to the Bridge in on 6/9/1999. I miss her, every single
day :(

You gave him some very good advice Gandalf.
I'm glad she lived so long and I'm so sorry she went to The Bridge,
and knowing you as I do, the pain still lingers.
You gave her a wonderful life:)
(((((((((((Gandalf))))))))
Kyla

~~~~~~~~~~~~ >^..^<
"Life without cats would be only marginally worth living."
-TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie.
Every day is a treasure with Kenzie; I try to treat them that way. There
will only be so many, and then there will never, ever, be any more.
How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven.
- Robert Heinlein
Thank you for rescuing a feral kitten would certainly have died, without
your love and care.

[studio]

Post by Welsh Dog
Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.
She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.
Should we be worried??

It's not uncommon for cats to throw up once a week, but it should be
monitored as best as possible.

You have to look at the vomit to see if it has fur in it.
If it does; then Petromalt or "hairball formula" cat food should help.

If no fur;
allergic reactions to the food are suspect.
Switch brands, or change her diet.

[Welsh Dog]

<snip>

Post by studio

Post by Welsh Dog
Should we be worried??

It's not uncommon for cats to throw up once a week, but it should be
monitored as best as possible.
You have to look at the vomit to see if it has fur in it.
If it does; then Petromalt or "hairball formula" cat food should help.
If no fur;
allergic reactions to the food are suspect.
Switch brands, or change her diet.

Tried switching brands... and varieties with the same brand and she
was worse then ever!

Welshdog

[Cats Whiskers]

Well, the dog licking up the cat's throw up is the worst of the two! No,
throwing up is more like getting rid of hairballs. Cats that stay indoors
are prone to becoming constipated. There are hairball remedies at the pet
shop but getting too much will cause the cat to throw up. Some dog food
have hairball remedy in them. So, you have to balance all this. Also
ferral cats are worriers. They are always looking for an escape route when
ever they are being picked up. Also, they are worrying about what you are
going to do if you should pick them up. If you give them a bath, or clean
their ears, etc., they will avoid you for a couple days. But they do want
to be around you so they are forgiving. The worrying never stops and may
cause them to have a nervous stomache and throw up. If you have given it
all its shots, etc., then chances are that there is nothing wrong with your
cat. Take your cat to the Vet.'s to be checked. The Vet. has hairball
remedies also. If nothing is wrong physically with your cat, this may be
normal for your cat to throw up from time to time.

Post by Welsh Dog
I've had a little female cat since she was a kitten. She was feral and
abandoned under a bush by her mother so we took her in, bathed her to
kill off the fleas and had her spayed... that was 4 years ago.
She's not exactly 'friendly' most of the time, preferring to come and
go as she pleases tho *is* friendly with my 12 year old daughter,
allowing only her to carry her, and sleeping on her bed during the
day.
After a few years insisting on only eating 'Whiskas, we tried her on
Purina dry food which she really took to and refuses to eat anything
else we give her (tho is till partial to birds lizards, mice etc she
catches herself). She has fresh water available of course but
otherwise that's all we give her.
Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.
She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.
Should we be worried??
Welshdog
--
News and views... for people like youse!!
Australian Opinion
(http://australianopinion.com)
Not as strange as it looks!

[Spider]

Post by Cats Whiskers
Well, the dog licking up the cat's throw up is the worst of the two! No,
throwing up is more like getting rid of hairballs. Cats that stay indoors
are prone to becoming constipated. There are hairball remedies at the pet
shop but getting too much will cause the cat to throw up. Some dog food
have hairball remedy in them. So, you have to balance all this. Also
ferral cats are worriers. They are always looking for an escape route
when ever they are being picked up. Also, they are worrying about what
you are going to do if you should pick them up. If you give them a bath,
or clean their ears, etc., they will avoid you for a couple days. But
they do want to be around you so they are forgiving. The worrying never
stops and may cause them to have a nervous stomache and throw up. If you
have given it all its shots, etc., then chances are that there is nothing
wrong with your cat. Take your cat to the Vet.'s to be checked. The Vet.
has hairball remedies also. If nothing is wrong physically with your cat,
this may be normal for your cat to throw up from time to time.

Post by Welsh Dog
I've had a little female cat since she was a kitten. She was feral and
abandoned under a bush by her mother so we took her in, bathed her to
kill off the fleas and had her spayed... that was 4 years ago.
She's not exactly 'friendly' most of the time, preferring to come and
go as she pleases tho *is* friendly with my 12 year old daughter,
allowing only her to carry her, and sleeping on her bed during the
day.
After a few years insisting on only eating 'Whiskas, we tried her on
Purina dry food which she really took to and refuses to eat anything
else we give her (tho is till partial to birds lizards, mice etc she
catches herself). She has fresh water available of course but
otherwise that's all we give her.
Problem is that she has taken to regularly throwing up... often just
after eating. This might not be as bad as it sounds since our dogs
clean up after her... except of course unless she has something wrong
with her.
She doesn't throw up after *every* meal... maybe once a week or so...
but it's still a concern and we're wondering what we should do about
it - if anything. Other than this occasional problem... and forgetting
she's 'house trained' now and then... she's pretty much a healthy
animal, if skittish.
Should we be worried??
Welshdog
--
News and views... for people like youse!!
Australian Opinion
(http://australianopinion.com)
Not as strange as it looks!

Occasional vomiting is not necessarily a problem. It may be a hairball
problem; it may be eating too quickly. Try and notice if this happens when
you're late putting down her dinner so that she feels she must gobble it.
On the whole, I wouldn't be too worried about just vomiting.

However, the altered toilet behaviour *is* a concern, and can indicate
urinary disease. Since toileting necessarily involves scent, it is unlikely
that a feral cat in particular (but any cat) would choose to soil and scent
their own indoor territory without good reason. That reason may be some
change in their immediate environment which they feel the need to mark with
scent, or it may be their way of letting you know something is wrong. The
fact that the vomiting has also started, apparently as a new issue, rings
warning bells with me. Do take your cat to the vet and mention both
problems, as you have here. A thorough health check before the vet shuts
shop over Christmas is the best present you could give your cat.

Good luck.
Spider