Why is my cat losing hair on her back and throwing up white foam?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like Lily has a skin infection. I recommend taking her to a vet for antibiotic’s and something to relieve the itching. It is possible to be from a food allergy or an environmental allergy. This may be the cause of her vomiting as well. You need to speak with a veterinarian about what she eats and the environment she is in. They will then be able to treat her appropriately. Good luck and kisses to Lily!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vomiting in cats can be caused by hair balls, intestinal parasites, toxin ingestion, or even foreign body obstructions of the intestines. These signs can be unrelated to the hair loss, which may be caused by certain infections and hormonal or behavioral abnormalities. I recommend having Zimba seen by a vet if he continues to vomit or develops diarrhea or has a loss of appetite/energy. His area of hair loss should also be evaluated, as it may be caused by a fungal infection that can even be transmitted to humans. I hope this helps and that all is well with Zimba!

Poor Nova! I don't think you're over-reacting at all, these are definitely signs that something isn't right. There are many things that could cause scabs or sores on her back. The most common possibilities would include allergies (food allergies, or an allergy to something in the environment), fleas, a bacterial or fungal skin infection, or skin mites (mange). The vomiting could be related if Nova has food allergies, or it could be due to a separate problem. Treatment for these issues will depend on what the underlying problem is, so I would recommend taking Nova to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can do some simple skin tests and may also recommend blood work if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

It could be a severe skin infection or an acute allergic reaction. I would recommend a vet check up so that she can get some treatment on board. These reactions can be quite painful and cause itchiness. Vomiting could also be a sign of allergic reaction, leave water down but no food until you see your vet. I would arrange a visit this morning, if possible.

Vomiting in cats is very complex and it is not always easy to figure out why they do it. Three most common diseases that older cats get are thyroid disease, kidney disease and diabetes. All of which can cause vomiting and all of which can be ruled out with simple blood testing. I suggest you refer to this article and then speak to your vet about starting some testing start with blood tests. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vomiting-in-cats )

She may have just had a temporary upset stomach or a hairball. No worries. She will groom herself and get the vomit off. Just continue to monitor her for any decreased appetite, loose stool or lethargy. If she continues to vomit then it’s best to have her examined by your vet to make sure everything is ok. Best wishes and take care.

Unless the oily substance was a toxin and absorb through the skin it is likely nothing that would cause the vomiting. It is more likely that she ingested something while she was outside that caused gastrointestinal upset. There is always the chance that she may have eaten foreign material which could be causing the problem. If she only vomited the one time and is her normal self I would not worry too much and just monitor her for now. If she continues to vomit, becomes lethargic or does not want to eat her food then I would recommend taking her into a Veterinary Clinic to be examined and to have further testing performed such as blood work and x-rays. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.