Stomach goes gargle

[solusumbra]

I so wish we could use feeders for our cats! We have an autofeeder but they get really worked up when they know it has food in it. They scratch at it mercilessly. And noisily. It's more restful to get up in the night to feed them!

Could you leave Meow Meow's night meals in the feeder? (Or maybe you don't still have it?)

There would be no difference from leaving it in that compared to a normal bowl, she would just open, eat it all and then nothing for the rest of the night

 

[lisahe]

There would be no difference from leaving it in that compared to a normal bowl, she would just open, eat it all and then nothing for the rest of the night

Ah, for some reason I thought those feeders had timers, too!

 

[solusumbra]

Ah, for some reason I thought those feeders had timers, too!

I think some of them do just not mine.

 

[solusumbra]

I think I might have a plan rolling around in my head. One way or the other I will call the vet Tuesday. If Meow Meow vomits again to find out the next step or if she doesn’t to see if there is any meds or something I can give her when she starts having these little flares to help her. See did start doing better as the day went on (knock on wood) so that kind of draws me back to not giving her any cold food. If that is the case I always will report that to the vet Incase it helps to figure out what’s going on. Can you all think of anything I should take note on or try? I’m also getting a few more cans of baby food to have on hand to fall back on for if she does vomit.

 

[solusumbra]

Well folks I don’t think it’s just the cold food... she just vomited on my bed as I was trying to go to sleep and now my bedding is in the wash and I’m waiting for her to vomit alittle more because it was only a small amount. Picking up the baby food from the store tomorrow but they only let me have 4 jars

 

[lisahe]

I think I might have a plan rolling around in my head. One way or the other I will call the vet Tuesday. If Meow Meow vomits again to find out the next step or if she doesn’t to see if there is any meds or something I can give her when she starts having these little flares to help her. See did start doing better as the day went on (knock on wood) so that kind of draws me back to not giving her any cold food. If that is the case I always will report that to the vet Incase it helps to figure out what’s going on. Can you all think of anything I should take note on or try? I’m also getting a few more cans of baby food to have on hand to fall back on for if she does vomit.

I'm so sorry to hear she vomited again... and on your bed.

I'm glad you're going to talk with the vet again. I'd definitely ask about Cerenia (the drug we call Serenity) because that really helps a lot of cats who vomit. I'm sure there are other options, too, but our vet seems to like Cerenia.

As for your other question, take note of everything! I keep a cat journal and mention the time when something happened, the last meal eaten (if the cat barfed), and anything else that seems relevant. (Like if it's windy, which gets both cats really nervous and worked up.) If you put in lots of information, you might be able to identify a pattern that tells you why she tends to do better in the morning than at night... Also, don't forget (like I do!) that cats with jittery stomachs tend to vomit when their stomachs are empty, because there's lots of acid in there. If they eat too much on that empty and acidic stomach, they can regurgitate. Here's a page with good information about stomach acid and barfing: My Cat is Vomiting - What Do I Do?

Also, slippery elm bark worked well for Edwina when she didn't feel good. It got her eating again (it's not universally loved by cats: Edwina actively liked it, though Ireland hates it) and it seemed to help some with her vomiting. It helps reduce inflammation. It's worth asking the vet about SEB, too. You can buy it at natural pharmacies. Here's a vet-written page about it: Slippery Elm | Little Big Cat
(I started using SEB for Edwina on a weekend, when the vet didn't have any appointments available but Edwina was clearly not sick enough to need to go to the emergency clinic.)

I hope you're able to get back to bed again soon. And that the rest of the night is peaceful.

 

[solusumbra]

I'm so sorry to hear she vomited again... and on your bed.

I'm glad you're going to talk with the vet again. I'd definitely ask about Cerenia (the drug we call Serenity) because that really helps a lot of cats who vomit. I'm sure there are other options, too, but our vet seems to like Cerenia.

As for your other question, take note of everything! I keep a cat journal and mention the time when something happened, the last meal eaten (if the cat barfed), and anything else that seems relevant. (Like if it's windy, which gets both cats really nervous and worked up.) If you put in lots of information, you might be able to identify a pattern that tells you why she tends to do better in the morning than at night... Also, don't forget (like I do!) that cats with jittery stomachs tend to vomit when their stomachs are empty, because there's lots of acid in there. If they eat too much on that empty and acidic stomach, they can regurgitate. Here's a page with good information about stomach acid and barfing: My Cat is Vomiting - What Do I Do?

Also, slippery elm bark worked well for Edwina when she didn't feel good. It got her eating again (it's not universally loved by cats: Edwina actively liked it, though Ireland hates it) and it seemed to help some with her vomiting. It helps reduce inflammation. It's worth asking the vet about SEB, too. You can buy it at natural pharmacies. Here's a vet-written page about it: Slippery Elm | Little Big Cat
(I started using SEB for Edwina on a weekend, when the vet didn't have any appointments available but Edwina was clearly not sick enough to need to go to the emergency clinic.)

I hope you're able to get back to bed again soon. And that the rest of the night is peaceful.

Thank you I have to say this time the vomit happened so fast it even scared her she ran and hid from me for awhile. She was laying here on my bed and her stomach making all that noise and then out it came. I did feed her a different flavor today (beef) so I’m going to go back to chicken only and see what happens. Every time she asked for food today I’ve given her small amounts so I don’t know how empty her stomach was when this happened. Someone else recommended getting unflavored Pedialyte and mixing it with her water to help with hydration.

 

[solusumbra]

When a cat vomits from acid do you feed them right away or wait for awhile?

 

[lisahe]

When a cat vomits from acid do you feed them right away or wait for awhile?

For Edwina, I usually give her a small piece (or two) of freeze-dried chicken a few minutes after she vomits, then wait another 10 minutes or so before giving her a small meal. Then she gets the rest of the meal about 20-30 minutes later. If it's Ireland who barfed (this is rarer) I just feed her a few minutes after. The big difference between them is that Edwina is insecure about her food and overeats but Ireland self-regulates.

I hope Meow Meow is doing okay this morning.

 

[solusumbra]

For Edwina, I usually give her a small piece (or two) of freeze-dried chicken a few minutes after she vomits, then wait another 10 minutes or so before giving her a small meal. Then she gets the rest of the meal about 20-30 minutes later. If it's Ireland who barfed (this is rarer) I just feed her a few minutes after. The big difference between them is that Edwina is insecure about her food and overeats but Ireland self-regulates.

I hope Meow Meow is doing okay this morning.

She is, I feed her the rest of the gerber baby food and I guess she was hungry enough to eat it all. Got more of the beechnut this morning and gave her some of that with the pedialyte and after making sure that stayed down game her a small part of the Sheba chicken flavor. I know it’s most likely just a coincidence but she was doing good until 1 the cold food and 2 feeding her any flavor other then chicken so turkey and beef. I don’t understand how the flavors could make a difference but for now I’m going to stick to just chicken and see what happens

 

[lisahe]

She is, I feed her the rest of the gerber baby food and I guess she was hungry enough to eat it all. Got more of the beechnut this morning and gave her some of that with the pedialyte and after making sure that stayed down game her a small part of the Sheba chicken flavor. I know it’s most likely just a coincidence but she was doing good until 1 the cold food and 2 feeding her any flavor other then chicken so turkey and beef. I don’t understand how the flavors could make a difference but for now I’m going to stick to just chicken and see what happens

Yes, I'd sick to what you know works! Other meats (especially beef) could be problems for her, they can develop sensitivities to just about anything. I totally swear by the Sheba because it's not too heavy and worked so well for Edwina after her surgery... I hope it continues to work for Meow Meow.

 

[solusumbra]

Yes, I'd sick to what you know works! Other meats (especially beef) could be problems for her, they can develop sensitivities to just about anything. I totally swear by the Sheba because it's not too heavy and worked so well for Edwina after her surgery... I hope it

Yes, I'd sick to what you know works! Other meats (especially beef) could be problems for her, they can develop sensitivities to just about anything. I totally swear by the Sheba because it's not too heavy and worked so well for Edwina after her surgery... I hope it continues to work for Meow Meow.

Someone on reddit said it could be IBD, and I think I'm running out of options of what it could be other then just some random sensitivity, which I hope not because then I will never know what to feed her. Only problem I for see with only giving her chicken is she is going to get tired of it at some point and stop eating it... she has done that with other foods in the past.

 

[lisahe]

Yes, it could well be IBD. Has the vet mentioned ultrasound? It's a decent way to get at least a sense of what's going on inside -- Edwina's showed intestinal thickening, a sign of IBD. The only thing with ultrasound is that it can be expensive, depending on options where you live... We're very lucky that our vet regularly brings in an ultrasound specialist and charges a reasonable fee.

It can be possible to figure out sensitivities by keeping a journal, but it can take a lot of time and energy to get the answer! One of the easiest first steps is to feed the simplest foods possible. Sheba isn't bad, with only two nonmeat ingredients that concern me: guar gum and tapioca. So far so good (chicken, turkey, and beef) with it for Edwina. Iams and Nutro perfect portions are very similar recipes and she does fine with those, too. We've already cut out lots of things from our cats' diet, including potato, green-lipped mussels, and agar-agar, which makes both cats vomit. I also avoid carrageenan and most other gums.

Crossing fingers that today goes okay and you can speak to the vet again soon!

 

[solusumbra]

Yes, it could well be IBD. Has the vet mentioned ultrasound? It's a decent way to get at least a sense of what's going on inside -- Edwina's showed intestinal thickening, a sign of IBD. The only thing with ultrasound is that it can be expensive, depending on options where you live... We're very lucky that our vet regularly brings in an ultrasound specialist and charges a reasonable fee.

It can be possible to figure out sensitivities by keeping a journal, but it can take a lot of time and energy to get the answer! One of the easiest first steps is to feed the simplest foods possible. Sheba isn't bad, with only two nonmeat ingredients that concern me: guar gum and tapioca. So far so good (chicken, turkey, and beef) with it for Edwina. Iams and Nutro perfect portions are very similar recipes and she does fine with those, too. We've already cut out lots of things from our cats' diet, including potato, green-lipped mussels, and agar-agar, which makes both cats vomit. I also avoid carrageenan and most other gums.

Crossing fingers that today goes okay and you can speak to the vet again soon!

Today has gone really well so far.... (famous last words.) I think the pedialyte really helped. She has been running around this afternoon, meowing and playing alittle bit. If I remember right the vet did an ultrasound on Tom to see the tumor so they should be able to use it on Meow Meow just a matter of how much it will cost.

 

[lisahe]

Today has gone really well so far.... (famous last words.) I think the pedialyte really helped. She has been running around this afternoon, meowing and playing alittle bit. If I remember right the vet did an ultrasound on Tom to see the tumor so they should be able to use it on Meow Meow just a matter of how much it will cost.

I know, how many times have I thought a day was going well only to end in trouble... I wonder if the baby food and Sheba are working for her? You just never know what might help. (I've never tried Pedialyte but fluids can really perk up sick cats.) I hope she keeps playing, that's definitely a sign that she's feeling better!

Ultrasound is great because it's noninvasive and fairly quick. I hope your vet can get one for you at a reasonable cost if they think it might help. (Our vet loves them, which must be why she works with the visiting vet to keep the costs reasonable.)

 

[solusumbra]

Well.... her stomach is starting to make noise again, at this point I’m saying it’s more then just food, though it does seem to be a factor. Also it doesn’t seem to matter how often or how small/big the meal is. I just need her to get through a few more days to get back in touch with the vet.... at this point I think I also need to be gentle with myself. I had a migraine everyday last week and last night was the worst in fact I think I still have it. With all the stress and worry I just need to be understanding with myself and hope the doctor understands why I went through my meds so fast.
Edit/update? I just had something interesting happen alittle while ago and I wanted some feedback. Meow Meow doesn't get the dry food because its to hard on her teeth to chew, however while her tummy was making sounds I gave her a few pieces of a treat same brand as her food blue buffalo called Bursts with liver and beef and not only was she able to eat it, the sounds stopped. What gets me is the pieces are bigger then her normal food. It seems kind of backwards to me that she has an easier time with the bigger pieces but shrugs....I know the sounds stopping might just be lucky timing but I was wondering what a good brand might be that has bigger pieces like the treats for dry food. Treat on top, Food on bottom Treat Bag

 

[lisahe]

That's interesting about the treats... Again, go with whatever works! I wonder if the soft filling (I looked at the page because I'd never heard of them) kind of melts and coats her stomach quickly and kind of counteracts the stomach acid? Freeze-dried chicken really helps Edwina so maybe Bursts are good for Meow Meow!

And yes, you need to be gentle with yourself, which is really really hard when a cat is sick -- there's so much stress! We still get nervous about Edwina after all she went through last year. Tonight she yowled when we were eating dinner so we thought maybe she'd vomited but no, she just wanted to go out on the veranda and thought she'd call us! It's been months since her surgery but I still worry about her. All of which is to say that I hope you're able to find ways to go easy on yourself so maybe the migraines let up. I always try to remind myself that letting go of my own stress would help the cats, too, since they pick up on it but it's so hard when they obviously have something amiss and can't express it.

I hope you and Meow Meow have a good night.

 

[solusumbra]

*Small rant warning*
I found out yesterday that not everywhere is closed today so I tried my vet this morning, they were opened. I let them know she is still vomiting. She did vomit this morning but I didn't count it because the launched a pretty good sized hairball out. Is it strange to say I'm proud HAHA. Anyways from the research that I've briefly done and the information I've got from talking to people the vet person I was talking to (not my normal vet she wont be in until tomorrow) made me mad because they said they don't do ultrasounds for IBD because you can't see it on there. I guess the good news to that statement is if they think its IBD they just treat it instead of doing the testing, sooo at least there is a possibility she will still get some help. The lady also got after me about the food I've been feeding Meow Meow, she said I have to give the food around 4-6 weeks to see if it helps her, well lady how can it help her if she can't keep it down!!!!! UGH!!!! and if its just a food sensitivity to the other brand there is no way it should take 4-6 weeks to show a difference. And what the heck do they expect her to do in that 4-6 weeks just keep vomiting and losing weight... the more I think about it the more pissed I'm getting. Sigh... she said in the note to the vet that she would put down that I asked about IBD. She also said I need to stick with one vet and I've been sticking with one vet the one that helped me with Tom, but she was out last week sick so thats why I didn't get to see her, but now the lady was trying to get me to stick with the vet that first saw Meow Meow, and again that makes me mad. Give me my normal vet!! So now Meow Meow has no help again and has to wait out another day to hear from the vet, not sure how long it will take them to get her in.

 

[lisahe]

I'm sorry to hear that Meow Meow vomited again this morning, though I also understand feeling glad that a hairball came out!

It's interesting that these vets don't do ultrasounds. Our vet seems to do them for a lot of digestive issues; Edwina got one pretty much automatically because she'd been barfing on and off, then got worse. Even if ultrasound doesn't make a definitive IBD diagnosis, it can give information, like thickened intestines. If Edwina's had only shown thickened intestines, I don't think we would have opted for a biopsy (to definitively diagnose IBD) if the intestines had been the only symptom that showed up on the ultrasound. The good thing about ultrasound is that they can show other things, though not all those other things show up. (E's, for example, showed lost of stomach inflammation but it didn't show her wrecked spleen!) And there's the problem: none of the diagnostics are perfect.

But yes, the good news would be treating her for potential IBD.

As for the food, it does seem like Meow Meow has been vomiting somewhat less, doesn't it? (Or does it just seem that way to me?) What was the food you were supposed to give for 4-6 weeks as a trial? Was that a prescription food? (Sorry, I probably read that long ago in this thread!) Was it something the vet recommended? No matter what it is, we've always had pretty quick results when we've taken suspect ingredients out of our cats' diet. It took me months to figure out that Edwina was barfing when she ate food with green-lipped mussels in it... but once I stopped feeding her that food, she stopped barfing. (It was easy to tell it worked: the mussels were only in one food and she'd only been barfing after that meal, usually 3-4 hours after she ate.) All cats are different, though, and I can imagine that some might not be that quick to respond to a change in diet, particularly if they have more advanced digestive system disease. I've thought of Edwina as "pre-IBD" ever since we adopted her at 10 months, though, because she's always been so quick to vomit.

Anyway, I really hope you're able to talk with your normal vet soon! I also hope that Meow Meow keeps her food down today.

 

[solusumbra]

As for the food, it does seem like Meow Meow has been vomiting somewhat less, doesn't it? (Or does it just seem that way to me?) What was the food you were supposed to give for 4-6 weeks as a trial? Was that a prescription food?

She in fact has been vomiting less, every couple of days instead of every day. Though her poor gi system has been nosier then every, and she is now starting to lack energy and is drinking less water. I think even she is scarred of vomiting again, she is even slowing down on eating, but thankfully hasn't given up. The pedialyte did give her a small boost of energy but sadly it didn't last. And that stupid bottle has to be used within 48 hours of opening it... UGH I hate it when food/drink products have to be used like that.

Nope you haven't missed anything the food she was talking about was the baby food and sheba wet food.... and her tone of voice sounded like she didn't believe me that, that is all we were giving her...

Sorry for this being so long I didn't expect this journey to have so many ups/down and emotional upheavals