Expert: Jessica - 10/26/2009

Question
JESSICA,

I FOUND YOUR SITE ON GOOGLE.COM WHILE DOING A GENERAL SEARCH. I HAVE 2 QUESTIONS..

1. MY 2 YEAR OLD BOMBAY CAT HAS BEEN GETTING HAIRBALLS SINCE I ADOPTED HER IN MARCH. I BOUGHT LAXATONE AND USE IT AS DIRECTED, BUT SOMETIMES SHE THROWS UP AND THERE IS NO HAIRBALL. MY VET SAID SHE'S A "GOBBLER" AND EATS TOO FAST. BUT SOMETIMES SHE DOESN'T EAT TOO FAST AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS RIGHT AFTER SHE EATS. SHE DOES LICK HERSELF A LOT. WHY DOES MY CAT VOMIT SO MUCH?

2. MY SECOND QUESTION IS, JUST RECENTLY AFTER SHE USES THE BATHROOM, SHE'LL GET OUT OF HER LITER BOX AND RUB HER BUTT ON THE FLOOR AND LEAVE LITTLE "SKID MARKS" ON THE TILE AND CARPET. SOMETIMES THERES A LITTLE KITTY POOP AT THE END OF THE TRAIL. SHE'S DONE THIS ABOUT 3-4 TIMES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WHY DOES SHE DO THIS? AND WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE HER STOP?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

DENISE

Answer
Hi Denise.  Assuming the vet has checked her out for parasites and other causes of nausea, which may include kidney and liver disease, your kitty could have a condition known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  This causes chronic vomiting in some cats, diarrhea in others, and both in some patients.  The disease isn't fully understood.  Hypersensitivity of the immune system to food ingredients and bacteria can be part of the problem, but there is often no reason found.  The immune system simply causes an inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract.  A special prescription diet may be helpful, and the cat usually needs to take oral steroids for life in order to control the inflammation.  Cats usually need to be vomiting almost daily for this condition to be diagnosed.  Otherwise, a sensitive belly food may be all that's needed.  You should discuss these possibilities with your vet.

As for her rubbing her bottom on the floor, this is likely because her behind was left dirty after she used the litter box, and this is the only way she can wipe herself.  When stool is left on the anus after a bowel movement, it usually indicates that the stools are too soft.  If it seems like your cat's bowel movements are a little on the loose side, this might be a further indication of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

But sometimes cats will scoot along the floor to empty their anal sacs.  These are located just inside the anus and are filled with a foul-smelling fluid produced by anal glands.  Most of the time, the sacs are squeezed empty when feces pass through the anus.  If the stool isn't firm enough to empty the sacs, or the cat produces too much anal fluid, the cat may feel discomfort and try to express the sacs by rubbing her bottom along the floor.  This is also something the vet can help out with if it becomes a problem - the sacs can be emptied manually (the vet inserts his finger into the anus to drain them).

Best wishes!

Jessica