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Expert: - 11/14/2011


Question
My 4 year old male cat has started vomiting more often.  He used to only vomit maybe once a month.  Lately it's been once a week.  The vomit usually contains hairballs and food/liquid.  Before he vomits he makes a loud crying noise.  Then he vomits and drools quite a bit.  What worries me is that after he vomits he sort of contorts his body and slumps to the ground.  Then after a minute he gets up and stumbles away.  As he's walking away he poops.  The poop looks very normal, no diarrhea.  It's almost as if his body is so tense that it just pushes it out.  After an hour or two of rest, he's completely fine.  Eating, drinking, playing normally.  I'm just worried mainly about the contorting and pooping, and am wondering if I should take him to the vet.  Is this possibly a food allergy?  Just bad hairballs?

Answer
I doubt if this is a food allergy, but what you are describing sounds pretty serious if he is disoriented and stumbling after he vomits. He sounds like he has a pretty bad hairball problem as well as some digestive issues going on.

I would get him into your vets as soon as you can and have him looked over. Vomiting once in a while is normal, what you are describing is not.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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