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Why are my cats vomiting blood, weak, refusing food, and dying?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 4 months old

Hi, I really need your help. My cats are getting sick. They started vomiting with blood(bad smell), getting weak, and refusing food. Body temp is warm to the touch. They live in a large enclosed house cat. In total, they are 17 cats in there but 5 have already died because of this sickness. They were given oral doxycyclin and immunol liquid by the local vet but it is not working. RBC count is also low during lab test of one of the cats that died. Please what could this be.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on November 12th, 2019

There is a chance given the symptoms that this could be panleucopaenia, a highly contagious viral gastroenteritis in cats related to parvo virus in dogs. I would recommend testing at least one affected cat as if positive vaccines can help protect the others. Fluids and anti nausea medications can help

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 11th, 2018
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that Mia isn't feeling well. Hematology is a test that checks for white cells (disease fighting cells) and red cells (oxygen carrying cells). If these values were fairly normal, or slightly off, then it can be suggestive of a virus. If the values are very far off it is more likely a bacterial infection is present. Viruses can make cats have fevers, and when cats have fevers they often won't eat. Often we don't figure out exactly what virus it is, but just treat supportively. Viruses can affect many different systems, including the gut, which can cause vomiting. I suspect your vet thinks your cat has a gut virus and that is causing the vomiting and not eating. They likely gave some medications or injections to help bring the fever down and stop the vomiting. Other causes could be obstructions (blockages in the gut), or severe gastritis (inflammed gut). If Mia isn't better soon (next 12-24 hours) or if she is still vomiting, then I would recommend bringing her back to the vet for x-rays to see if surgery is required. Best of luck with Mia.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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