Excesssive Vomiting After Cat Meets New Kitten. Help!!!

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Hello,

I’m having a terrible time this past month and need some advice. My resident Cat Sheldon has been an only child for 5 years (I’ve had him since he was 4 months old). Sheldon is very easygoing.
At the end of September we adopted a kitten (4mo old). They are both neutered male orange tabby’s. We have a large house and because Sheldon was ok with another cat when we Cat sat before I opted to have them meet and roam the house together.
No hissing, lots of wrestling, the kitten is very interested in Sheldon and inturrepts him when he plays, jumps on him and tries to eat his food.
Prior to getting the kitten Sheldon always cuddled with me and slept with me and stopped after the new kitten.
5 days after we introduced the cats Sheldon started acting strange, lethargic and was hiding curled up in a corner in a room no one ever goes in.
This frightened me because Sheldon wouldn’t come out of hiding. We opted to take him into the ER. He was dehydrated but blood panels and X-rays were fine. Tested for diabetes and that was Negative.
After we brought Sheldon home that day he started vomiting- his vomit looks like spit, it’s very thick mucus-y puke. Sheldon also started lip slacking excessively. The next day he spit up about 30 times in just a few hours. I immediately brought him back to the ER and same story- all the tests came back fine and an ultrasound and chest X-ray revealed nothing.
The doctor gave him Cerenia and some antinausea meds and appetite stimulants. He can puke small amounts through the Cerenia but it drastically decreases him vomiting.
Sheldon didn’t get a ton better, the vest suggest that we take him off his meds. And for a week and a half he wasn’t vomiting and was eating drinking and using the bathroom normally.
However, shortly after I came home from work and found 5 of his spit ups on the floor in different areas.
The vet has me scheduled for an endoscopy in a week. I’ve already dropped about $2,000 or more getting him checked out to no avail.
I’ve opted to separate Sheldon from the kitten and today will be taking the kitten to be fostered at my parents house temporarily to see if that helps anything.
I’m grasping at straws and am completely overwhelmed. I hate seeing my boy feeling sick. It’s almost like when he feels sick and movement makes him puke.
I have no idea what to do. The vets have no idea what’s going on and we just keep running these expensive tests. Sheldon used to sleep with me and hasn’t since the kitten came around because the kitten is in bed with us. He seems to be jealous of the kitten. Could jealousy and depression have anything to do with this?
I am completely lost and need some help it’s been an entire month of this and I hate that my boy is feeling so sick! Any insight or help is appreciated! Thank you!!!!
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
It could be stress from the new kitten, I suppose. It could be other things, as well. When you see the vet again, ask about pancreatitis and other things like that, just to make sure your bases are covered.

I'm going to give you a BUNCH of links on stress in cats, and on introducing cats properly, that may well help, also. It's a lot of reading, but it is free!

Six Surefire Strategies To Reduce Stress In Cats
Potential Stressors In Cats - The Ultimate Checklist
Is Your Cat Stressed Out?
You, Your Cat And Stress
How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats
Do Cats Get Jealous? (and What To Do About It When They Do)

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Introducing Cats To Cats

As I said, it is a LOT of reading, but each article has some bit of information that isn't in the others, and I wanted to cover as much ground as possible for you.

Let us know how things go!
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,836
Purraise
13,143
Location
Columbus OH
Stress can cause physical symptoms in a cat but since they started 5 days after bringing in a new kitten I don't think that is what is going on here. It is good that you are getting them separated. Normally a slow gradual introduction is best, usually introducing by scent first then letting them see each other. If you bring the kitten back I would do the slow gradual introduction.

I know these digestive issues can be frustrating and expensive, I have a cat with IBD. If you are in the position to afford it an endoscopy is a good idea. If nothing turns up then I would talk to your vet about IBD. IBD is usually a diagnosis by elimination and could well be what is going on here. The new kitten was either pure coincidence or the stress triggered his first flare, a flare that would've happened at some point any way.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
It could be stress from the new kitten, I suppose. It could be other things, as well. When you see the vet again, ask about pancreatitis and other things like that, just to make sure your bases are covered.

I'm going to give you a BUNCH of links on stress in cats, and on introducing cats properly, that may well help, also. It's a lot of reading, but it is free!

Six Surefire Strategies To Reduce Stress In Cats
Potential Stressors In Cats - The Ultimate Checklist
Is Your Cat Stressed Out?
You, Your Cat And Stress
How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding?
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat
16 Top Cat Experts Share Tips For Dealing With Timid Cats
Do Cats Get Jealous? (and What To Do About It When They Do)

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
Introducing Cats To Cats

As I said, it is a LOT of reading, but each article has some bit of information that isn't in the others, and I wanted to cover as much ground as possible for you.

Let us know how things go!
Thank you so much! I will absolutely look into these links! This is great help! I will keep you updated
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Thank you very much for the helpful links! I will read through all of these. I will keep you updated!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Stress can cause physical symptoms in a cat but since they started 5 days after bringing in a new kitten I don't think that is what is going on here. It is good that you are getting them separated. Normally a slow gradual introduction is best, usually introducing by scent first then letting them see each other. If you bring the kitten back I would do the slow gradual introduction.

I know these digestive issues can be frustrating and expensive, I have a cat with IBD. If you are in the position to afford it an endoscopy is a good idea. If nothing turns up then I would talk to your vet about IBD. IBD is usually a diagnosis by elimination and could well be what is going on here. The new kitten was either pure coincidence or the stress triggered his first flare, a flare that would've happened at some point any way.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Yes, there seems to be about 1,000 possibilities when it comes to cats. We’re slowly eliminating factors. I will definitely look into IBD. We are going to test for pancreatitis during his next visit for good measure as well. Thank you so much for your help!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Please send good vibes our way, Sheldon has still been vomiting and we decided to take him into the ER. They are monitoring him overnight tonight and then performing a scope tomorrow. :(
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
OH dear! Please let us know what is happening as soon as you feel able!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Hello all! Sheldon declined on the 26th and went in for an emergency scope on the 30th. The vet is treating him with prednisolone and Pepcid (every 12 hours) as he suspects it is Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The vet also said that Sheldon had a high lymphocyte count, meaning he cannot rule out small cell Lymphoma. I am considering getting the testing done for Lymphoma to cover all of our bases, though I do not think he shows the signs of Lymphoma.
At first it was a struggle to get Sheldon to eat much but he is eating now. I am feeding him canned food- Hills prescription wet food I/d digestive health. He was always a dry food cat but I heard wet might be better for him?

I did some research and opted to start Sheldon on a prescription probiotic and he has been in that since the weekend. He has improved 10 fold and is almost back to his old self!

I’ve read that high lymphocyte counts is congruent with a type of IBD that is caused by stress. Not sure if anyone has experience with this?

I do not feel like my vet is a ton of help as far as Sheldon’s diet and solutions. He said next week we can decrease the prednisone and the week after that posssibly start him on a steroid with less side effects (starts with a B). I’m so scared and nervous about the IBD diagnosis. Can you share any experience you have and what we can expect moving forward and how I can best help Sheldon? I want his life to be so happy!!
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
We have lots and lots of members here who are dealing with IBD in their cats. Hey, @artiemom, can you give some advice, here?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Thank you!! Anything would help. I just feel so bad for my little guy! I’m also concerned whether or not I should reintroduce the kitten back to Sheldon or if he might be causing the stress that triggers this IBD
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
If you reintroduce very slowly, you should actually reduce the stress levels. Just take your time and be patient. And I can't overstate the importance of site-swapping, so that both cats can access ALL of the home at different times. That way they both get used to the scent of the other one.

You might ask your vet if chamomile would interact with any of Sheldon's prescriptions. It doesn't interact badly with any that I know of, but best to make sure. Then you can give Sheldon between 1-3 tsp, up to 3 times a day, as a calming agent. It is very mild, and won't make him overly groggy, just start with one tsp and slowly increase if necessary.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
If you reintroduce very slowly, you should actually reduce the stress levels. Just take your time and be patient. And I can't overstate the importance of site-swapping, so that both cats can access ALL of the home at different times. That way they both get used to the scent of the other one.

You might ask your vet if chamomile would interact with any of Sheldon's prescriptions. It doesn't interact badly with any that I know of, but best to make sure. Then you can give Sheldon between 1-3 tsp, up to 3 times a day, as a calming agent. It is very mild, and won't make him overly groggy, just start with one tsp and slowly increase if necessary.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

Sieferjr

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Oct 26, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
6
Excellent advice! Ideally I’d like to manage his symptoms holistically if at all possible. I know that some cases are too severe, but I love the idea of giving him camomile! I will check with my vet once we’re ready to reintroduce. You are so helpful! And you knew it was IBD before the vets even suggested it! I actually brought it up to them before his scope because of you! Very grateful!!
 

Mamanyt1953

Rules my home with an iron paw
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
31,173
Purraise
67,765
Location
North Carolina
It was actually denice denice who mentioned the IBD, but regardless, this is what we are here for. Do keep us posted on how things are going!
 

Kelly Ortelly

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Aug 19, 2018
Messages
1
Purraise
1
So I made an account here because I found this thread through desperately googling the same issue - and I’m dying to know if you ever figured out exactly what it was?
I am in the EXACT situation. We got 2 new kittens that my older 2 cats seemed to really like. One started the vomiting 5 days after meeting. I’ve also taken my cat to the vet for the first time and got him anti nausea treatment that isn’t really working at all.
And now my other older cat has started the vomiting! It is too much of a coincidence, there has to be a cause.
 

betsygee

Just what part of meow don't you understand.
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
28,326
Purraise
17,461
Location
Central Coast CA, USA
K Kelly Ortelly Welcome to TCS! This is an older thread and the original poster may not be around to answer. You're welcome to start a new thread with your questions about your kitties. The instructions on how to start a new thread are here.
 

Jaxj

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
1
Purraise
0
So I made an account here because..

Hi Kelly,
I have a 5yo female loner
Just brought home a 3 month old male kitten. Both were vet cleared just 2 weeks ago and in perfect health.
5 days into my introduction my old cat is puking and has diarrhea. Last time i foisted a cat she started peering blood so this type of reaction is what i wad afraid of but because its vomiting and diarrhea at the same time over 12hrs now (with vomiting about every hour) and she's not eating drinking and looks miserable I'm taking her to the vet. Same boat, i dont have $$ to keep burning and from what I've been reading, many issues can be cured with a stress free environment. Vets don't want to say its stress, because it could be something more serious and they want to covet their butts, and maybe collect a check ... but I'm very weary of running a million tests and putting her on multiple medication to deal. I'm trying an anti nausea to start but have also purchased feliway.. my vet prescribed anti anxiety when i had the foster cat so I'm going to try that as well to see if that clears up the issue.

Let me know what worked for you?

I'd hate to have to return this kitten : ( i know my kitty gets lonely when I'm at work.
 

Ann K

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jun 6, 2021
Messages
3
Purraise
2
Hi Kelly,
I have a 5yo female loner
Just brought home a 3 month old male kitten. Both were vet cleared just 2 weeks ago and in perfect health.
5 days into my introduction my old cat is puking and has diarrhea. Last time i foisted a cat she started peering blood so this type of reaction is what i wad afraid of but because its vomiting and diarrhea at the same time over 12hrs now (with vomiting about every hour) and she's not eating drinking and looks miserable I'm taking her to the vet. Same boat, i dont have $$ to keep burning and from what I've been reading, many issues can be cured with a stress free environment. Vets don't want to say its stress, because it could be something more serious and they want to covet their butts, and maybe collect a check ... but I'm very weary of running a million tests and putting her on multiple medication to deal. I'm trying an anti nausea to start but have also purchased feliway.. my vet prescribed anti anxiety when i had the foster cat so I'm going to try that as well to see if that clears up the issue.

Let me know what worked for you?

I'd hate to have to return this kitten : ( i know my kitty gets lonely when I'm at work.
I know this thread is old, but still highly in need of a solution. I have a torti that will be 6 in August. She is a scardey cat. Basically a introvert until she gets to know someone, then she is a lush. I thought she was bored and needed a companion, so I got a 4 month old kitten on May 30, 2021 (Sunday). Just 4 days later she is throwing up and dry heaving. Willow is her name and she has been doing it for 3 days now. I am doing the right way of keeping the kitten in my spare bedroom with everything he needs. I have bought the Feliway diffuser and it is not working. She is just not wanting any part of him. She has bit me on the day I brought him home and she didn't eat or go to the litter box till Tuesday. I had to move the litter box because it was too close to the closed door where he is at. He is an orange tabby and very sweet. Just wants to play and be loved. I honestly believe it is ALL stress related and not anything medical. A Vet can dig deep into your wallet because they can and they know you will do anything for your furbaby. I hate to give back this kitten, but I totally love Willow and refuse to put her through this as it is stressing me out too. Willow will come first before another cat/kitten. So those of you that want to bring back the kittens or keep them, I wouldn't...just my opinion.
 
Top