What is Vomiting With Bile?
Bile is a yellow or green substance produced in a cat’s liver, which aids in digestion of food. Vomiting with bile in cats can be an alarming condition for both the feline and the worried owner. Vomiting with bile may be especially difficult for an owner to recognize, given that animals are likely to clean up after themselves, unless you manage to catch your cat in the act of vomiting. This can make it difficult to determine exactly how long the condition has been occurring. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that can occur with bile vomiting in order to determine when veterinary intervention is necessary.
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Symptoms of Vomiting With Bile in Cats
Vomiting with bile typically occurs in the morning or early evening, when a cat’s stomach is empty, although it can also happen at any time. Here are the main symptoms to watch for:
- Long term occasional vomiting
- Vomiting that occurs with bile which may be yellow or green and/or foamy. There is normally not a large amount of liquid
- Weight Loss
- Disinterest in Food
- Excessive Drooling
Types
Vomiting can take many forms, and it’s important to distinguish the various types to know when a serious condition exists that warrants a trip to your local vet.
- True Vomiting. Vomiting is accompanied with nausea and a cat may drool and refuse food. Some will lick their lips and may be depressed for a few hours. The abdomen forcefully contracts before and during a vomit. Your cat may gag and retch.
- Regurgitation: Regurgitation is when undigested food is brought back up from the stomach. There are no abdominal contractions and a cat is not nauseous. There are several potential causes including eating too quickly. Bile should not be seen.
- Hairball: Hairballs are regurgitated or cleared from your cat’s stomach in a manner that may seem similar to vomiting. They cat may heave for several moments attempting to clear the hairball and may also bring up a small amount of stomach fluid or regurgitated food with the hairball due to the aggressive coughing.
Causes of Vomiting With Bile in Cats
In many cases, the exact cause of vomiting with bile, is unknown. However, there are several conditions that can cause the condition and that should be ruled out by your veterinarian. Common causes may include:
- Intestinal Inflammation
- Irritation of the Stomach Lining (gastritis)
- Pancreatitis
- Cholangiohepatitis
- Improper Diet
- Parasites
- Infection
- An obstruction
- Liver Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Toxin ingestion
- Cancer
Diagnosis of Vomiting With Bile in Cats
The first thing your veterinarian will do in order to diagnose the cause of bile vomiting is ask for your cat’s history concerning the condition. It is therefore important that you document the number of times, frequency and approximate start date of the vomiting. Additionally, you should collect a stool and urine sample if possible and supply your vet with the brand and specific recipe of any commercial cat food given.
After reviewing the history of your cat, your vet may then opt to perform several diagnostic tests to rule out serious, life threatening conditions. These tests may include liver and kidney assessment via a urinalysis, a full blood profile including white blood cell count analysis, and a thorough physical exam. Your vet may also perform imaging studies such as x-ray or ultrasound to examine motility of the contents of the stomach or any potential obstructions.
Treatment of Vomiting With Bile in Cats
On some occasions, vomiting with bile in your cat will subside on its own. In cases where the condition is ongoing, there will be various courses of treatment depending on the underlying cause. In the event of food causes, your vet may prescribe an approved cat food formula for animals with inflamed stomachs or food sensitivities. They may also alter the amount or frequency of your cat’s meals.
If food or diet alterations don’t alleviate your pet’s symptoms, the veterinarian may prescribe certain drugs such as antibiotics for infections or digestion affecting drugs to increase the ability of your pet to digest food or to reduce the amount of bile in the digestive system. Probiotics may also be recommended to help restore the levels of good bacteria in your cat’s digestive system.
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Recovery of Vomiting With Bile in Cats
The prognosis will depend on the underlying condition.
Stomach conditions can take time to fully heal and your cat’s entire digestive system will often times need to reset and regrow important balances of good bacteria. In the case of prescription medicine, it will be important to complete the entire regimen in order to fully resolve the condition.
For food-based treatment, following the recommended course of meals and sticking with a consistent diet should help relieve signs quickly. Alteration of the course of feeding, if followed, will provide lasting results. Most cats with this condition will respond well with maintained treatment, whether dietary or prescription based.
Courses of ant acids may be given for several weeks and it is important not to miss a dose.
Vomiting With Bile Average Cost
From 389 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Top
Vomiting With Bile Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
kitten
Four Months
70 found this helpful
70 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My kitten is throwing up green bile
Dec. 17, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
70 Recommendations
Bile can be vomited when there is no food in the stomach to throw up. It can have a wide range of causes and should be looked into by a vet if it is continuing and/or she seems unwell.
Dec. 17, 2020
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american shorthair
Eight Months
53 found this helpful
53 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
I treated my cat with a new flea powder a few days ago. He has since started vomiting yellow/brown liquid and sometimes foam. I washed it off yesterday but he still vomiting again this morning. He's drinking and barley eating. Should I be concerned?
Dec. 12, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
53 Recommendations
Vomiting and a reduced appetite can have many causes including an infection, intestinal obstruction, toxicity, parasites etc.
While a vomit or two may be normal if a cat is otherwise well, as the vomiting has continued and he isn't eating, he should see a vet.
Dec. 12, 2020
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cat
Two Years
72 found this helpful
72 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
My cat has been puking at least twice a day for the past three days. It started clear and today has become yellow/green but still very clear. This started out of nowhere and as far as I can tell he hasn't gotten into anything recently
Oct. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
72 Recommendations
I'm sorry to hear this.
Vomiting like this can have multiple causes such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, toxic ingestion, parasites, an obstruction etc.
I would offer a bland diet such as chicken and rice and ensure they are up to date with their wormer.
Do check around the home for any potential toxins such as plants or cleaning products.
As the vomiting has persisted, I would bring them to the vet for a check over.
Oct. 25, 2020
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Bengal
Three Years
55 found this helpful
55 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loss Of Appetite
My cat is sleepy and not eating and vomited bile one time since yesterday , should I wait to see if he gets better or take him to the vet ASAP?
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
55 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If he is lethargic and not eating, I think that it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian, as that is not normal behavior for a cat. Cats can get intestinal infections, parasites, or foreign bodies, and they will be able to examine him and see what might be going on to cause this.
I hope that all goes well for him.
Sept. 30, 2020
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Domestic long hair cat!
Eight Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting Green Stuff
My cat is about 8 years old and started vomiting up Green Stuff for about 2 days! I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow, but I'm very worried!
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I hope that he feels better and that all went well with the veterinary visit.
Oct. 8, 2020
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Unknown
Baxter
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss Of Appetite
Meowing Like He’S In Pain
My cat Baxter has been throwing up for days now and I don’t know what to do. To my knowledge he hasn’t gotten into anything he wasn’t supposed to. We did change his food a little bit a couple days ago but since then I’ve only given him what I normally give him. He won’t touch it. He sits in front of the water bowl but will not take a drink. Before he throws up he meows like he’s in pain. He hides from us and isn’t acting like himself at all. We went to the vet twice and they said to do an X-ray and blood work it would be 1,000 and I don’t have that at all right now. He’s gotten 2 shots of some medicine that’s supposed to stop the vomiting but he comes home and throws up hours later. I also have been giving him this syrup that he was prescribed for the vomiting and he throws that up as well. I’m worried and at this point I have no money left. Any advice helps
BSH
Tootie
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Larger Appetite
Hello, my 6 y/o British short hair has always been known to be sick possibly once a month. But recently she’s being sick maybe 5/6 times a day. After she’s sick she’s extra affectionate and like she’s hungry again always wanting food. She has a healthy appetite and No issues with going to the toilet but the vomiting is concerning. She seems to eat less than normal before she’s sick, but sometimes she’ll be sick without eating. I can’t tell if she’s bloated as she’s previously been overweight but seems to have Slimmed down. not sure if it’s a diet issue (coeliac? Even though the food hasn’t changed for over 6 months) or a gastro issue. Will be taking to the vet as soon as possible too.
Feline
Luna
3 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vocal
Warm Ear
Vomited Once Warm Ears Vocal
My cat vomited a yellowish liquid and I believe it has something to do with a food that didn’t sit well but she is still very active and is eating normally,I haven’t noticed anything too strange since that incident but I’m still very worried
Vomiting With Bile Average Cost
From 389 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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