The troubling thing about cat vomit

Dear Dr. Abbie:  My cat, Mr. Toes, has been throwing up more often lately. I think it might be more than hairballs. He seems to be a little skinnier than he was last year. We had to move back in with my parents and the house is decorated with Persian carpets. What do you think it could be? My mom’s getting pretty sick of Mr. Toes.  Sign me

– Concerned for Mr. Toes

Dear Concerned:  Vomiting in cats can be very disconcerting. You are right to be concerned beyond Mr.  Toes’ preference for a nice wool rug that is too big to be thrown in the washer. I guess Mr. Toes like every other or human I’ve ever met likes to have warm feet while he is vomiting.

Seriously, though when vomiting is more than occasional, especially with weight loss, it is cause for a thorough veterinary exam. Vomiting can be caused by many things, but Mr. Toes sounds like he may have a thyroid problem.

The thyroid gland is a tiny gland located in the neck. It controls metabolism throughout the body.  When the thyroid revs up, the heart beats faster, and more energy is consumed. Over time, high blood pressure, heart disease and weight loss can result. The kidneys suffer once blood pressure goes up, so chronic kidney disease usually goes along with Hyperthyroidism in cats. Vomiting is one of the main signs owners see.

Should your kitty have hyperthyroidism, which is diagnosed by blood tests, there are a few options for treatment. Daily medication, surgery, or radiation are mainstays of treatment.  There is a new prescription diet available from Hill’s Pet Nutrition that appears to be successful.

Hopefully, a trip to the vet will sort out Mr. Toes’ vomiting woes, and he can get back to using the carpet for what it was designed – napping in the sunspots! Reassure mom that the wool rugs are a great choice. Wool is actually easier to clean and doesn’t stain like cheap synthetics.

If you’d like more information about Hyperthyroidism in cats, The Cornell Feline Health Center has a brochure online at vet.cornell.edu. All my best, Dr. Abbie

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