Calling Cat Ladies!

Emerald27 · October 2014

So I think one of my cats is sick, but they're both acting normal so I can't tell which one it is.

Got home this morning from dropping DH at work (can't drive with broken rt ankle), and there were like 5 cat puke spots on the main level of the house, one on the second floor and one on the third floor (that I've found...). I cleaned it all up and then DS and I left for some appointments. Got back a few minutes ago and there are another 6 puke spots. They're all over the place!! Like someone just walked 10 feet, puked, walked 10 feet, puked. It's crazy.

So since they're acting normal I'm not sure what to do. Do I take them to the vet? Watch them to try to figure out who is sick and what other symptoms he might have? If I call the vet, they'll insist that I come in. They don't provide advice over the phone. ...but money's tight so if this is just a stomach bug, I don't want to waste the $$.

Any cat ladies know what might be up or what I should do? Thanks!!

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

It's not uncommon for two of ours to do exactly that. The only time we took Butters to the vet was when he couldn't stand and actually peed himself. He had to stay at the vet for a few days but it was a freak thing.

If they are acting fine (including eating and drinking), I think you can wait and watch.

Was it all food? Or foam?

Unknown · October 2014

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DreadGamerWife · October 2014

Any chance that one of them got into some non cat food? Sounds like what would happen when one of my cats got into something that had milk product in it (she had an intolerance to it).

Emerald27 · October 2014

@SPurp13‌ So there were 2-3 that were food-ish. One looked like food that was barely digested (sorry for the yucky TMI) and then two that were very mushy almost not identifiable as food. The rest are just greenish/brown liquid. No foam.

They haven't changed to a new brand of food and we don't offer treats, so that couldn't be it. I'm stumped!

gooberdoofus95 · October 2014

Id say watch them and see what happens since they are acting fine. I know this sounds gross but what does the puke look like, because if my cats eat to fast then they will puke it back up but you can clearly see cat food pieces and other times it's like clean spit looking with some hair, kinda like a hair ball thing. Could they have come into contact with plants outside or inside or any chemicals.

They are very cute cats and usually
If it's something serious then you would be able to pick up a behavioral change as well. Hope they get to feeling better!

Emerald27 · October 2014

MonstoMommy said:
I don't have cats, I have dogs. Can you ask them who did it? Seriously, if I ask my dogs who made the mess, one of them acts shamed. Then I know who is sick/ate too much grass/drank too much water/ate some hair and is choking on it. If that isn't an option, I would separate them and see if you can find out which one it is and then I would monitor it for a little while before taking them in. FWIW, the orange one looks guilty.

Lol - cats show no shame ever. Every cat act is deliberate and calculated. They're not telling.

Unknown · October 2014

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angeltennis3 · October 2014

We have one cat that began throwing up multiple times in a short time span a year ago. It usually happened when he found his way into food he shouldn't (usually licking dishes in the sink we hadn't gotten to yet - we now instantly put everything straight into the dishwasher or hand wash).

That reduced how often he would puke, but didn't stop it completely. We finally tried changing his food to a (more expensive) "naturals" option. We haven't had any problems since. He had been on the same food for 2 years with no issues before that started, so I wonder if just as he ages his digestive system couldn't handle the food we were giving him?

Long story short, if they are acting fine now, I wouldn't bother with a vet visit. However, I would keep an eye on them and see if you can see a trigger or consider changing their food to something that may be easier on their digestive system.

toomanycats1 · October 2014

With my kitties (I have 4!) I can usually tell who is sick by how they are behaving. As a general rule, if they seem fine, will make eye contact, and are continuing with their daily routine 100%, then I just keep an eye out. Cats are tough and will hide sickness/pain, but there are usually small things you can notice that are different. Are they both getting excited if you give them kitty treats still?

My guess is that one of them is working on a major hairball. One of my kitties will "cough up" food and liquid when she's got a major hairball brewing. Usually as a first resort I try giving a bit of Laxatone (hairball gel) to get things moving. This particular kitty seldom ever coughs up the hairball, but rather it moves through her digestive system causing upset. The Laxatone helps move things along and usually makes a difference within a day.

I'm no stranger to kitty emergencies, and I'm usually really quick to take kitty in "just in case", but in this instance I would definitely just watch and see.

FX the vomiting stops. If they start throwing up blood though, or walking as though their stomach hurts, then please do take them in. They are super adorable btw!

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

Oh and yes, it was the orange one. Don't ask how I know. I just do.

Emerald27 · October 2014

SPurp13 said:
Oh and yes, it was the orange one. Don't ask how I know. I just do.

I think so too. The gray one was asleep on my pillow when I left this morning and was there when I got home. Thinking back, the orange kitty followed me around a bit this morning meowing, which isn't entirely unusual, but he was particularly persistent.

Good news is that he seems happy and fine now. I suppose we'll see!

Unknown · October 2014

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damian10 · October 2014

I've had kitties my whole life, you need to seperate them so you can figure out which one it is. Then look at kitties gums, if possible

Emerald27 · October 2014

damian10 said:
I've had kitties my whole life, you need to seperate them so you can figure out which one it is. Then look at kitties gums, if possible

Look at their gums? They'll let me do that no problem, but what exactly am I looking for? Lol

angeltennis3 · October 2014

Emerald27 said:

SPurp13 said:
Oh and yes, it was the orange one. Don't ask how I know. I just do.
I think so too. The gray one was asleep on my pillow when I left this morning and was there when I got home. Thinking back, the orange kitty followed me around a bit this morning meowing, which isn't entirely unusual, but he was particularly persistent.

Good news is that he seems happy and fine now. I suppose we'll see!

That's funny because it is definitely our orange one that causes ALL of the problems. What little orange stinkers!

golfingdarwinfish · October 2014

I was a vet tech through college, so I'll try to provide some help!

I would separate them to try to figure out who is doing it. If there is that much vomit I would be concerned that one of them ate something that they shouldn't have - is it just liquid or is there regurgitation? Regurgitation multiple times could be indicative of a blockage of some sort.

If there's no dehydration (check gum color and pull skin above neck to see how long it "tents" before returning to natural shape/location), you have time to observe the sick one and make a decision. If there are signs of dehydration or regurgitation I would consider bringing him to the vet.

atraveller · October 2014

Very late to the party here and you may have resolved this by now - but I agree with most of the other PPs that its okay to wait and see - the idea of isolating them when you leave the huse is not a bad one - that way if there is more puking you will know for sure. Usually when Ive had puking with my cat the vet has said to wait and watcxh and keep an eye out for strange behaviors or lack of eating or drinking. Checking gums and neck for dehydration is a good one too - as that would give clear insight if one is dehydrated - into who is puking. Ultimately sometimes puking can be a combination of eating too fast and trying to work out a hairball and can literally last a few days. There also may be changing digestive issues as one PP suggested. I know that all of a sudden my cat started throwing up after eating food she had eaten for years. We eliminated the foold and she was fine affter that. I hope that yuo are able to figure it out without a trip to the vet. Hoping that even as I type this situation has resolved itself. Wishing you luck with all of it. And btw: Both cats are very adorable. Love the picture!

Jesslynnsell · October 2014

My cat had a instance like this a few years ago. It turned out he was dehydrated. Make sure your cat is still having a BM to rule out a blockage.

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