I've got a sick kittie...

**AnW819** · 04-29-2010, 10:11 PM

Well, I have three cats. For the past three days I have been waking up seeing throw up spots on the carpet. It looks like their food, but obviously thrown up. Sometimes it looks like a hair ball, and sometimes just food.

I have no idea who is throwing up because I have not seen any of them do it, and they all are still active, eating, and just like their normal self so I thought no big deal but then today there was another small throw up of food, and when I picked it up on the paper towel there was a bit of red in it, and I think it was blood.

What should I do? If I take all 3 to the vet it will cost so much $. Should I wait it out to see if I can find out who it is??

Why would my cat be throwing up so much anyway??

TIA!

Edited to add: We changed their food about 2 months ago from Purina to Meow Mix...could that be the problem, two months later?

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-29-2010, 10:14 PM

It could be the food, it could be something else. Definitely try and find out which cat it is. Separate them if you have to. If there is blood it can be very serious.

**AnW819** · 04-29-2010, 10:27 PM

Do you know what it would mean if it was blood?

**Neeley** · 04-29-2010, 10:45 PM

Separate the cats so you can find out which one it is.

It is normal for a cat to vomit on occasion, but frequent vomiting needs to be addressed. There could be a blockage, ulcer or any number of reasons.

Here are a couple of articles I came across regarding cat/kittens vomiting frequently and with blood.
Here's one
Here's another
And one more

Hope it is nothing serious and your baby gets better real soon.

**AnW819** · 04-29-2010, 11:02 PM

Thanks very much. I looked on the calendar because I wrote it down. This started a week ago. For three days I found throw up, then the next two days nothing, and then today found it again with red on the napkin when I picked it up. I really don't know how to separate them...I dont have more than one litter box, and I only have 1 huge room and 1 bedroom.

I would think if it was serious wouldn't one of them not really eat, or just be sick in general?

**2ndGenGranola** · 04-30-2010, 06:33 AM

Check on the Meow Mix package. I bet you will read that it has red dye in it. Red dye makes mine go barfie and it has red, of course, in it. IMO you need to change back immediately to your old food (I don't think Purina has red dye in it).

**Ceashels** · 04-30-2010, 08:18 AM

Vomited blood looks like coffee grounds (the acid in the stomach makes it clot and curdle) so if it was fresh blood it would be from higher in the esophagus or throat/mouth.

A blockage or stuck fur ball can cause vomiting since the food can not pass. Has there been less stool in the litter pan? (you might want to get another one since all 3 cats are sharing it).

hugs.

**mauimagic** · 04-30-2010, 03:23 PM

Just checking in to see you your feline friends are doing. It's so hard when are four footed friends are ill. Let us know!!

**shoiji** · 04-30-2010, 04:08 PM

I would separate them to see which cat was having difficulty. Also try to give them a really good brushing. It is "hairball" season, atleast in this house it is. My one semi-long hair cat is coughing up a lot of stuff lately. Will be giving her another brushing and some petromalt to hopefully help her out with the furballs.

**AnW819** · 04-30-2010, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

Check on the Meow Mix package. I bet you will read that it has red dye in it. Red dye makes mine go barfie and it has red, of course, in it. IMO you need to change back immediately to your old food (I don't think Purina has red dye in it).

Wow thanks for that info! Tomorrow we are gonna go get purina!

Originally Posted by Ceashels

Vomited blood looks like coffee grounds (the acid in the stomach makes it clot and curdle) so if it was fresh blood it would be from higher in the esophagus or throat/mouth.

A blockage or stuck fur ball can cause vomiting since the food can not pass. Has there been less stool in the litter pan? (you might want to get another one since all 3 cats are sharing it).

hugs.

There was nothing that looked like coffee grounds. I saw the hair ball (kinda looked like a cat poop, but it was hair) and I picked it up and there was a purpleish color on the napkin, figured it was blood? As I did not see any less stool in the litter box.

Originally Posted by mauimagic

Just checking in to see you your feline friends are doing. It's so hard when are four footed friends are ill. Let us know!!

They are all good today, no throw up so far!!!

**mauimagic** · 04-30-2010, 05:07 PM

Mahalo for the update!! Your kittens have a good mommy!!

**frugalfranny** · 04-30-2010, 06:58 PM

Glad they are doing better.

I only have dogs and this might not work with cats....but if it happens again.......can you smell their breath and tell which one puked by the smell? Not a pleasant task but I can tell by doing that with my dogs.

**Liane** · 04-30-2010, 07:07 PM

We had two cats that would throw up and we ended up having to change their food. Once we did no more barf. Hope your babies feel better.

**sabrelvssammy** · 04-30-2010, 09:25 PM

i had a cat that threw up alot...we had to switch from meow mix coz it stained the carpeting...

something you can do is put vaseline on their paws and let them lick it off...it's a natural hair-ball remedy and we have used it my whole life with many cats and all the vets i have ever used gave me the thumbs up on it being completely safe and effective...

we currently keep a jar in the bathroom on the floor and i keep a big glob on the lid...the boys eat it at will....it really does work....