My cat is vomiting bile after new food. Does he need ER care?

Hello, sorry to hear about Cheeto. I would watch him for continued episodes of vomiting or if he develops any lethargy, decreased appetite or diarrhea. Things we worry about with sudden onset or persistent vomiting in cats include dietary indiscretions, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ingestion of foreign material, obstruction or a mass which is probably the least likely in a young cat. If his vomiting persists or gets worse overnight, or if he develops any other signs then I would definitely bring him to an emergency clinic. You should not attempt to feed him today and then offer boiled chicken and rice tomorrow in the morning. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It definitely sounds like BoBo has an upset tummy. I am concerned about the amount of vomiting and diarrhea that you have described. Possible causes for this to happen acutely include bacterial or viral gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, toxic exposure, intestinal obstruction, dietary intolerance or food allergy (this would happen if he ate human food he shouldn't have or if you recently changed food or treats), irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal lymphoma, or other internal medicine issues. I think that BoBo should see a vet as soon as possible to start with bloodwork and maybe x-rays depending on the findings of the physical exam. Before you go, check around the house for anything that BoBo may have chewed on, like hair ties, string, carpet, or chemicals. You are right in not feeding BoBo anything, but encourage him to drink water, chicken broth, or pedialyte to try to maintain hydration. Cats can also get electrolyte imbalances soon after having voluminous vomiting or diarrhea. Depending on test results, your vet may prescribe medications for nausea, diarrhea, or even antibiotics and gastroprotectants. If the bloodwork shows severe abnormalities or the symptoms persist despite medications, BoBo may need IV fluids to rehydrate him and correct electrolyte abnormalities. If you have additional questions I can answer, feel free to choose a consult so we can answer them.

I'm sorry to hear that Eggy has been vomiting and seeming fussy. In a young cat with sudden vomiting, fussy/abnormal behavior and decreased drinking, she may have a foreign body intestinal obstruction, virus, parasites, pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease leading to her issues. Since she is not drinking well and continuing to vomit, it is likely that she has become dehydrated, so now is the time to take her to the emergency vet. The vet will examine her, perform any necessary diagnostic testing (likely including blood tests and x-rays), and then determine the best course of treatment. I hope this helps and that Eggy feels better soon!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend withholding food for at least 8 hours and then initiating a bland diet as outlined below. The blood is likely due to gastritis with irritation in the stomach / GI tract. If the vomiting does not resolve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps and that he feels better soon! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

As your cat has not been eating for a few days now as well as not drinking, this is an emergency. Cats can get liver disease from not eating for more than 2 days and not drinking will make them dehydrated and feel even worse and less inclined to drink and eat. Vomiting bile can be a sign of chronic or acute pancreatitis. There are some diseases that will have to be ruled out (can be done easily with a blood test), such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism and dental problems. I think taking her to an emergency clinic is definitely warranted.

Poor guy. If he has vomited more than a few times within an hour and seems unstable (lethargic, weak, non-responsive), then this is considered an emergency and he should go to any available vet or ER vet today. However, if he is still active, nice pink gums, and responsive, you can monitor him to see if the vomiting subsides. You should also fast him (not food, only water) for at least 12 hrs, then try offering him a bland diet of tuna and white rice or lean ground turkey and white rice to see if you can help settle his stomach. Hopefully he turns around and just ate something that upset his stomach a bit. I hope that Mitch recovers soon from his apparent stomach upset. Best of luck moving forward. Take care. : )

I don't think this require an emergency visit but i would definitely recommend making a sooner apointment for you vet, preferably before the weekend as this sound like a gastrointestinal condition that will require treatment, possibly a course of antibiotics and a change of food.