Why is my cat throwing up yellow bile? What does it mean and what to do?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on March 8th, 2017

  Stomach bile is yellow in color - so yellow fluid is what you will normally see if your pet is vomiting with no food in her stomach. So the yellow color itself is not cause for concern :) Without more information, it's hard to say what might be causing Misty to vomit - this can be due to anything from a minor upset stomach, to a more serious problem such as an intestinal obstruction or pancreatitis.
  
  If Misty has been vomiting for less than 24 hours and is acting normal otherwise, you can try withholding food for the next 12 hours to give her stomach a chance to settle - then feed a bland diet of plain boiled chicken or chicken-flavored baby food for the next day or two. If this doesn't help, or if she has been vomiting for several days already or is having any other symptoms such as acting lethargic or not wanting to eat, she needs to be seen by a vet since these can be signs of a more serious problem.

  

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• Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

  Veterinarian

  Published on February 10th, 2017

  It could indicate dehydration or if really yellowish, jaundice and some liver disease. In the second scenario you should also look st the colour of his gums and his skin, you would notice a slightly yellow tinge there too.

  

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• Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

  Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

  Published on June 28th, 2018

  Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Vomiting can be observed with conditions such as gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion and obstruction, among other possibilities. For this reason, I highly recommend that you have Kitty evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as soon as possible as I am afraid he is likely becoming dehydrated. They would be able to check for these possibilities and also check his hydration status and give him medications to make him feel better. Good luck!

  

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• Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 30th, 2018

  The yellow discoloration indicates jaundice and he needs a full assessment by a vet and blood tests in order to determine the underlying cause - these may include liver damage, toxin exposure, anemia due to breakdown of red blood cells. He also requires a full nutritional assessment and may require assisted/tube feeding in order to maintain calorie intake and prevent further liver damage. Neither eggs nor fish should be regularly fed raw as both can lead to nutritional deficiencies due to breakdown and poor absorption of vitamins

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful