Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 5/18/2006

Question
my wifes cat is being sick shortly after each meal, he is a long haired 2 year old and this has been going on for the last two days. could this be "hairballs", will  medicine cure this or will he need an operation. i live in clydebank, scotland and could you give me a good brand of medicine. thanks very much for your time.  

Answer
This does sound like haiballs.  A good combing daily helps to remove loose hairs that the cat ingests while grooming.  I would also recommend giving the cat some petrolatum or petroleum jelly once a day...about a tablespoon...to get things moving through the stomach.  If that does not help, then medicine may need to be given to help he stomach push the food into the intestine.  I use metoclopramide for that.