Cat Vomiting

Hiroxluna

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Hi everyone.

I have 2 British shorthair kittens. They’re just about 5 months old now.
Hiro and Luna.

A few days ago, Luna vomited about an HOUR after his meal.
No change in environment.
No change in diet.
Active, playful, eating and drinking.

No poop. Only wee.

I was worried and called my vet. Vet said to monitor as it may be hairball.

Luna continued to vomit an hour after every other meal.

I quickly brought him to the vet.
The vet did some checks and told me he seems fine. Told me to continue to monitor him.

Yesterday we visited a different vet. I requested for blood works to be done, X-rays, and all that to get to the root of the problem.

Blood is all good.

The Xray showed some shards(?) being digested and moving along very very slowly down the intestines.

They also did a dye test(?)A drop of dye in abit of canned food. To watch how the food moves along his GI. So far the food has been moving along. The last xray showed that the dye has reached the shards(?) as mentioned above.

This morning we returned to the same vet.

They did another xray and suggested an enema. He pooped a little awhile after.

It’s been 4 days.

I thought that whatever was blocking his intestines was passed out today and he’ll be better. The vet said everything should be ok now.

Brought him home fed him, an hour later he threw up.

Usually after vomiting he will drink water and go back to playing or ask for more food.

The vet mentioned that the cause of vomit could be the raw diet I’m feeding him. However, his Sister is on the exact same diet and is thriving.

He also had chicken from the beginning and never had issues with chicken.

Could this be an allergy?

They eat a raw diet. Since the vomiting, I’ve been giving him tiny bits of chicken thigh only.

Someone recommended me digestive enzymes. Would this help? Asked the vet about digestive enzymes and slippery elm and she said no.

I’m so worried I don’t want to feed him anything for now. Breaks my heart to see him throw up every time.

Help me please.
 

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Saf

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Probiotics are always a good idea. Chicken and beef are the two main meats cat's have allergies to. I raw feed my two and neither will touch chicken or beef. Maybe it's worth trying rabbit or pork, as cats much less rarely have problems with those. If you haven't wormed them for a while, obviously that's something to consider as well.

Also frequency of meals is important. As kittens they should be getting multiple smaller meals throughout the day rather than just two, and even as adults, 3 meals a day is better than two and less likely to cause vomiting, as going too long without eating can cause stomach acid to build up, which can lead to them vomiting shortly after eating.
 
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Hiroxluna

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Probiotics are always a good idea. Chicken and beef are the two main meats cat's have allergies to. I raw feed my two and neither will touch chicken or beef. Maybe it's worth trying rabbit or pork, as cats much less rarely have problems with those. If you haven't wormed them for a while, obviously that's something to consider as well.

Also frequency of meals is important. As kittens they should be getting multiple smaller meals throughout the day rather than just two, and even as adults, 3 meals a day is better than two and less likely to cause vomiting, as going too long without eating can cause stomach acid to build up, which can lead to them vomiting shortly after eating.
They’ve just been wormed about 2 weeks ago. I will consider getting rabbit meat for him to try.

I feed them 4 times a day on a schedule.

I’ve minimised his portion and will feed him more often. I also took away all organs etc and just gave him the meat.
 

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I have one that if he goes to long between meals, or gets to hungry he will throw up after he eats. I make sure he has food available at all times, and as long as he can nibble a bit when he wants we do not have throw up. I dont feed raw, but canned and Er. Elseys kibble, so it may be more difficult for you. And kittens his age need to eat a lot, and often.

If its a suspected chicken allergy you might could try some canned food in a different protein for a bit, just to see if it made any difference? Or try the Rabbit with raw. Cats are so different, the sister may do great on raw or chicken, the brother may not. Im sure others who do feed raw will have more information to share.

Best luck, keep us updated.
 
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LTS3

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The Xray showed some shards(?) being digested and moving along very very slowly down the intestines.

It's bone fragments. What kind of raw food do you feed? Commercial brand of food or one you make yourself?

I’ve minimised his portion and will feed him more often. I also took away all organs etc and just gave him the meat.
Plain meat isn't enough for a cat because it lacks necessary vitamins and minerals. You either need to include organs and bone or add in individual supplements.
 
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Hiroxluna

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I have one that if he goes to long between meals, or gets to hungry he will throw up after he eats. I make sure he has food available at all times, and as long as he can nibble a bit when he wants we do not have throw up. I dont feed raw, but canned and Er. Elseys kibble, so it may be more difficult for you. And kittens his age need to eat a lot, and often.

If its a suspected chicken allergy you might could try some canned food in a different protein for a bit, just to see if it made any difference? Or try the Rabbit with raw. Cats are so different, the sister may do great on raw or chicken, the brother may not. Im sure others who do feed raw will have more information to share, and you might check out the raw sub forum.
Raw & Home-Cooked Cat Food

Best luck, keep us updated.
I am currently feeding him a tiny bit of minced beef and extra virgin olive oil now. In between I offer him some goats milk. So far he has kept the food down.

No poop yet. That’s starting to worry me.

I also noticed he’s been excessively grooming his paws, joints and private area.
 
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Hiroxluna

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It's bone fragments. What kind of raw food do you feed? Commercial brand of food or one you make yourself?



Plain meat isn't enough for a cat because it lacks necessary vitamins and minerals. You either need to include organs and bone or add in individual supplements.

I was feeding him a pmr diet.

Yes I understand that. I’m just worried his tummy cannot digest the organs as well now.

His usual meals would consist of organs and bones plus supplements.

Since he vomited, the vets recommended he be put on a canned food or kibble diet. I refused and they said then I should just give him chicken meat with no organs bones or supplements for now.

Since then, as he hasn’t been vomiting, I have been adding in the necessary supplements and increasing his portion size a little by little.
 

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Feeding a raw diet is an art.. it has to be done exactly right, and for kittens that is especially important. Right now they're not getting what they need.

We've moved you to the Raw Food forum where people can give you more advice. (The reason we have a separate forum for raw is because it absolutely must be done properly.) Hopefully those who can help you will be along soon.
 

duckpond

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I am currently feeding him a tiny bit of minced beef and extra virgin olive oil now. In between I offer him some goats milk. So far he has kept the food down.

No poop yet. That’s starting to worry me.

I also noticed he’s been excessively grooming his paws, joints and private area.
Sounds like he is still having problems. Is there a reason you dont want to follow vet advice and try canned food for a bit, to see if it helps? Raw is great for most cats, when done correctly. But if a cat is having problems i might not keep trying different homemade things, like the beef, olive oil and goats milk. My personal opinion would be to try a commercial canned food, or even a kibble, at least for a few days or weeks, and see how he is doing.
 

dhammagirl

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I'd suggest just feeding him canned food for a while and see how it goes.
I have one cat that loves the raw food, turkey and rabbit, but would consistently vomit liquid/bile at night. Not barfing the food, just liquid. I put him on canned food only, and no more vomiting. After a while, gave him some raw turkey. He vomited later that day.
For whatever reason, the raw food doesn't agree with his digestive system. Perhaps your kitty is similar.
 

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If you don't want to feed canned for a little while, could you make a batch of ground raw with supplements, organs, and eggshell calcium/ bone meal? This way there's no worry about more bone fragments. Maybe a fiber supplement or some canned pumpkin will help?
 
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Hiroxluna

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Feeding a raw diet is an art.. it has to be done exactly right, and for kittens that is especially important. Right now they're not getting what they need.

We've moved you to the Raw Food forum where people can give you more advice. (The reason we have a separate forum for raw is because it absolutely must be done properly.) Hopefully those who can help you will be along soon.
Thank you!!!
 
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Hiroxluna

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Hmmm I totally agree. His GI probably is weaker and hence cannot digest the raw food as quickly causing them to throw up. That did cross my mind. I ordered digestive enzymes and some slipper elm and see if it’ll help move his system.

He hasn’t been throwing up today. I’ll keep a close eye on him.


I'd suggest just feeding him canned food for a while and see how it goes.
I have one cat that loves the raw food, turkey and rabbit, but would consistently vomit liquid/bile at night. Not barfing the food, just liquid. I put him on canned food only, and no more vomiting. After a while, gave him some raw turkey. He vomited later that day.
For whatever reason, the raw food doesn't agree with his digestive system. Perhaps your kitty is si
 
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Hiroxluna

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If you don't want to feed canned for a little while, could you make a batch of ground raw with supplements, organs, and eggshell calcium/ bone meal? This way there's no worry about more bone fragments. Maybe a fiber supplement or some canned pumpkin will help?
Yes I can. But I’m afraid this is still too harsh on his tummy. He seems to be unable to digest the raw food fast enough. Is it possible that some cats are not cut out of raw? I thought they’re suppose to be obligated carnivores.

I’ll try some canned pumpkin. Thank you!
 

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Yes I can. But I’m afraid this is still too harsh on his tummy. He seems to be unable to digest the raw food fast enough. Is it possible that some cats are not cut out of raw? I thought they’re suppose to be obligated carnivores.

I’ll try some canned pumpkin. Thank you!
It is possible for some cats not to be able to handle raw. Homemade cooked is still an option if you want to avoid commercial food.
 

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I really think the suggestion above that it was bone fragments he was trying to eject is the answer here. My cat Sawyer has only vomited a couple of times in the ten months I've had him, both times ejecting a small piece of bone. He eats little rabbits and stuff so does so serious bone crunching. I wouldn't let it put you off raw food. I actually think a lot of health problems are associated with commercial pet food being too easy to digest and cat's digestive systems have evolved to slowly digest and break down the food they eat.
 
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Hiroxluna

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I really think the suggestion above that it was bone fragments he was trying to eject is the answer here. My cat Sawyer has only vomited a couple of times in the ten months I've had him, both times ejecting a small piece of bone. He eats little rabbits and stuff so does so serious bone crunching. I wouldn't let it put you off raw food. I actually think a lot of health problems are associated with commercial pet food being too easy to digest and cat's digestive systems have evolved to slowly digest and break down the food they eat.
I thought so too! But they did an enema and he pooped the fragments outs alrdy! The vet did not confirm that it was bone. That is just a speculation. So far he hasn’t even pooped yet. The vet said is currently recommending a surgical biopsy to look for IBD.
 
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Hiroxluna

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I really think the suggestion above that it was bone fragments he was trying to eject is the answer here. My cat Sawyer has only vomited a couple of times in the ten months I've had him, both times ejecting a small piece of bone. He eats little rabbits and stuff so does so serious bone crunching. I wouldn't let it put you off raw food. I actually think a lot of health problems are associated with commercial pet food being too easy to digest and cat's digestive systems have evolved to slowly digest and break down the food they eat.
This is the xray. On your far right, the dark end is gas. Moving towards the left, if you look closer you can see tiny white fragments. In his stomach, the dark patch on the left is the barium study they did using canned food while at the vet. He pooped on Saturday after the enema and hasn’t pooped since! I’ve removed all bone and organ and I’m using raw meow mix now. But still no poo.
 

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If he has a blockage that's obviously a very serious issues so hopefully he does a number two soon. I wouldn't let it put you off raw feeding though. Vets can be very quick to assign blame to raw food when any issues occur to bring you back in to the food of commercial pet food.

I started out with preprepared raw food but like most people have moved on to preparing my own now as the quality is ultimately better and you can tailor it to your individual cat.
 

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That does look like bone fragments, and also looks like a partial blockage given the shape of the "air cone" in front of it. (the kitty is facing to the right in the photo you posted?) There's also the possibility that your kitty ate something like a piece of cloth that is not showing up on the Xray, and the bone fragments aren't the real problem.

A repeat Xray might help determine if the blockage has moved further along. If it has, I'd suggest making food with eggshell calcium instead of bone, adding some canned pumpkin, feeding lots of small meals, and talking to the vet about what other options there are for encouraging things to move along. Don't skimp on calcium for a 5 month old! If not, then at some point you may need to consider surgery to remove the blockage. Specific options depend on where in the GI tract it is - closer to the stomach or farther down?
 
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