What are Gastroenteritis?
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea. Although it’s normal for your cat to vomit or have diarrhea on occasion, if it is happening repeatedly within a short time frame, this signals something more serious. Cats can become severely dehydrated if their gastroenteritis is not properly treated, so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Gastroenteritis describes the inflammation of your cat’s stomach and intestines, or the gastrointestinal tract. It can be caused by something as minor as a change in your cat’s diet to more serious issues such as infections, pancreatitis, and intestinal blockages.
Gastroenteritis Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Cats
Gastroenteritis disrupts the functioning of your cat’s gastrointestinal tract and causes discomfort. You may notice your cat acting sluggish or lazy, with little to no energy. Besides lethargy, some of the other symptoms you may observe include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry heaving
- Gagging
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
Causes of Gastroenteritis in Cats
A cat’s stomach and intestines can become irritated and inflamed for a number of reasons. Some of the underlying causes will require treatment by a veterinarian, while others can be treated at home. However, you will need to bring your cat to the vet to determine the cause. Gastroenteritis is most commonly caused by:
- Dietary changes
- Reaction to medication
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pancreatitis, or other abdominal disorders
- Bacterial infection
- Exposure to toxins
- Blockages
- Virus
- Parasitic infection
Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis in Cats
To determine what is causing your cat’s gastroenteritis, the vet will need to perform tests to eliminate as many causes as possible. As soon as you arrive at the vet’s office, it’s important to give the vet information on your cat’s diet and medical history. If your cat has just started to take a new medication or eat a new cat food, don’t forget to bring this up in the consultation. Vets will also need to know if it’s possible your cat has been exposed to anything toxic in your home. For example, if you accidentally left a household cleaner out where your cat could reach it or sprayed pesticides in your yard, it’s important to let the vet know.
After collecting all of this information from you, the vet will most likely perform a complete blood count test, urinalysis, and blood chemistry profile. These tests will help the vet identify any abnormalities in the cat’s health. For example, if a bacterial infection is the cause, the vet will see an elevated level of white blood cells in the complete blood count test. The vet may also perform an ultrasound on the cat’s abdomen to determine if there are any blockages that could be causing the cat discomfort.
Treatment of Gastroenteritis in Cats
The treatment of gastroenteritis in cats will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. First, the vet will focus on stabilizing your cat if the tests reveal the cat is severely dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance due to vomiting and diarrhea. If the diarrhea and vomiting is ongoing, the vet can also administer medications that will disrupt stomach and intestinal activity.
If a bacterial or parasitic infection is the cause, medication will be prescribed to your cat. However, if it’s a virus, you will have to wait for it to pass since it can’t be treated with medication. Medication will also be administered if the cause is pancreatitis or hyperthyroidism. However, it’s important to note the vet will most likely require that you wait about 24 hours before giving the first dose of medication. During the first 24 hours, the treatment will focus on putting a stop to the vomiting and diarrhea. If you don’t stop the vomiting before you administer medication, chances are your cat will throw up a pill not long after you give it to him.
Most gastroenteritis cases can be treated with medication. However, your cat will need surgery if the cause of the gastroenteritis is a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
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Recovery of Gastroenteritis in Cats
After your cat is rehydrated and given medication to slow down his gastrointestinal tract, he should begin to immediately feel better. If the symptoms go away, the vet will most likely not need to see your cat again. However, if after 48 hours, your cat is still exhibiting gastroenteritis symptoms, you should have him reevaluated.
The vet may ask that you adjust your cat’s diet while he recovers from gastroenteritis. You may need to cut back on the food you give your cat for the first 24 hours and then slowly begin to reintroduce him to very bland food that won’t upset his stomach. The vet may also tell you to limit the amount of water your cat drinks for the first 24 hours. But, do not make these decisions on your own—always ask a veterinarian what is right for your cat.
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Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 336 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
Top
Gastroenteritis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Short hair cat
Ten Years
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting, Diarrhea
My cat has been vomiting bile and has diarrhea. This has been going on for only today, and yesterday he was very much "normal". Today he won't eat, but seems alert, isn't avoidant of the other cat or us, but is definitely not as energetic as usual.
He has not had a diet change in several years, and eats a urinary diet (due to struvite crystals; We have witnessed him urinate so it is not that). What should we do?
Aug. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
20 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Since he seems to be doing okay otherwise, you may be able to feed him a bland diet of boiled white chicken and boiled white rice for a day or two and see if things resolve. If he continues to vomit or have diarrhea, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian, as he may need treatment. I hope that all goes well for him.
Aug. 7, 2020
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Not sure
Three Months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea Vomiting
My cat is vomiting cleat and foamy
July 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Kittens are prone to parasites and infectious diseases, and they can become dehydrated quickly. If your kitten is vomiting and having diarrhea, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian right away. They will be able to examine your kitten, see what's going on, and get treatment. I hope that everything goes well for your kitten.
July 28, 2020
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short hair
Colsten
4 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Stomach Problems Vomitin
My cat started throwing up Thursday after eating grass. Then on friday he began moaning and throwing up. I took him to vet and they told me that he had a gastric problem. They have him digestive care can food but he wont eat it. He will only eat his kimble but only a little. How long does it normally take to get over gastric issues.
Sept. 24, 2018
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Mixed breed
Fluffy
11 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My cat has been vomiting very frequently this past week(2-3 times a day including in the middle of the night). He does not act any differently though, he does not have diarrhea, he still eats, does not seem to be in any type of pain, and he goes throughout his day as usual. He also drinks water very regularly. He is about 10 to 11 years old and has never had any serious illnesses. Me and my family are hoping you could point us in the right direction of what we should do.
July 24, 2018
6 Recommendations
Vomiting is a vague symptom and may be attributable to many different conditions so it is difficult to narrow in on a single possible cause; infections, parasites, foreign objects, hairballs, poisoning among many other conditions may cause vomiting. Try to withhold Fluffy’s food for around 12 hours and then slowly introduce food to see if it can be kept down; if not you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 25, 2018
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Calico
Snickers
3 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My kitten has been vomiting frequently, nothing has changed in her diet and she hasn’t been exposed to anything. She eats wet/ Sheba and kibble food. I try to feed them at 6am and 6 pm. Not sure what the issue is
July 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
Vomiting is a vague symptom as it is common with many different conditions including infections, parasites, foreign objects, poisoning, medication side effects, stress, dietary intolerance among other causes; try to encourage Snickers to eat a bland meal like boiled chicken chunks with or without a litter rice and see if it can be kept down. If Snickers is still vomiting you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 13, 2018
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mixed
Moosh
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Throwing Up
My cat started vomiting undigested food on Thursday so we put him off food until Friday morning which he did again then he vomited yet again even though I fed nothing more than a teaspoon he throws up his food almost 15 minutes after he eats and throws up bile an hour and a half later I couldn’t get ahold of any vets because we don’t have clinics until I was able to get a vet that night he gave him an antibiotic shot then a shot for stomach worms and a pill he told us to wait an hour and a half and then feed him again which caused him to throw up once again everything he ate. Following that from 1:30 am until 11 am he threw up approximately 10 times all of which were what seemed to be bile and it had blood once in it as well. On Saturday the vet was open and he administered an iv and an antibiotic shot which helped stop the vomiting so after 18 hours we fed him the smallest bit of rice and wet food. Again he did not throw up following that I gave him oral anti biotic 4 hours after he ate and 3 hours have passed and he just throw up again something green with a little bit of rice. The vet says it’s normal but I’m worried its gonna start another pattern of vomiting. As for his level of activity he’s walking around and he seems hungry with an appetite but he’s obviously not his usually playful self.
Persian
Milo
8 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Lethargy
Vomit
Bile Vomiting
Drolling
My cat, milo stopped eating once. I thought maybe he might eat the next day. But it started vomiting. Took him
To the vet. He put 2 injections and an ORS which he later again vomited. He has been on IV since then. And it’s the 4th day i have tried to give him liquid and food but it throws up. What should i do
Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 336 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
