Conference misery::feline_v1

My cat, Charlie, did this about 3 years. First the vet said it
was probably just a furball stuck in his stomach. Well, he
got steadily worse, vomiting every 15-20 minutes, just like
yours. Well, I took him back and requested a different vet. This
vet said that if I had waited any longer, he might not
be with us! His temperature was about 103-4! They did a lot
of tests, and for lack of the correct term, I'll explain what he's got.

What happens is that in the spring when he sheds alot, or
after I've given him a bath, he of course, licks himself.
The hair in his stomach irritates his intestinal track,
swelling it shut. This causes infection. Since nothing
can go down his intestines, it's was coming back up! I
have him on prednistone when this flairs up. But he will 
have this probably the rest of his life -- happens every
single spring!

IMHO, I think you might want to get a second opinion! I'm
not saying that your vet may be wrong, but it might make
you feel better, and more importantly, another vet might
actually find what's wrong!

Good luck with your kitty! I'll be praying for you!

Cheryl, Charlie, Gracie & Shanti

    Thank you for your input.  When I called the vet this morning he DID in
    fact say that perhaps a furball has gotten caught and that I should
    give the little guy some Laxitone.  I plan to keep him OFF of the
    medicine for the weekend.  If he vomits even once I will take your
    advice and see another vet.  You mentioned the fact that your kitty
    became ill from licking his fur after being bathed.  Would you say that
    the shampoo could have irritated his insides?  I noticed that Marvin
    likes to lick the toilet bowl after I have cleaned it.  He evidently
    likes the taste of the disinfectant.  Perhaps this could be a problem!
    
    Thanks,
    Arlene

    A couple of things.  My cat Holly has this same type of vomiting
    reaction to amoxyllin (sp?) (the pink stuff) and her vet was able to
    give her a different medication.  It sounds very strange that your
    vet cannot prescribe an alternative, and I would really suggest that
    you quickly consult another vet for a second opinion;  perhaps
    someone in this file who lives near you can suggest a good vet.  I
    say quickly because this vomiting obviously can't continue, but
    an untreated urinary tract infection can become fatal within
    24 hours if complete blockage occurs.
    
    I am also wondering if this vet has told you about food like Feline CD
    that are permanent maintenance diets to prevent urinary tract
    infections.  please let us know how your cat is doing.
    

    I would take the kitten to another Vet since your present Vet can't
    find anything wrong with Marvin, and I'd take him soon, too.  The
    vomiting does sound like a reaction to the medicine, especially since
    you say he's considered healthy.  Do all 4 kitties share the same
    litter box?  Maybe that's where Marvin is picking up the infections. 
    Is the litter box cleaned out each day?  What about food..is Marvin
    eating only dry food?  This might be a factor.
    
    Hope the little tyke is OK real soon.  Keep us posted on his condition.
    
    Regards,
    Colleen
    

    The dry food would only be a factor *if* the dry food contained high
    amounts of magnesium and ash, both which are related to UTI's.
    
    Cats with chronic UTI's can be maintained very healthfully on dry foods
    like Science Diet C/D.
    
    Jo

    Yes, it was the pink stuff - moxycillan that Marvin was taking.  Then
    they switched him to another kind.  It is white and smells like bananas
    - "something globin".  I will find out the name tonite.  I plan to put
    him on the Science CD diet as soon as possible - Monday.   I just
    called my husband and he said that there was one small bit of vomit on
    the carpet tonite, not all over the house as usual.  God am I worried.
    
    Thanks all of you for your concern and info.  Oh yes, all 4 kitties do
    use the same litter box.  However, I clean it twice a day.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Arlene
    

    I think that 1 litterbox for 4 cats isn't enough.  You need at least 2,
    maybe 3 if a particular cat or two is extra fastidious.  Even though 
    you clean them twice a day if the box is full when Marvin wants to use
    it it will make his condition even worse.
    
    For 3 indoor cats, I have 3 jumbo sized litterboxes.  Please consider
    adding another to help Marvin through his ordeal.
    
    Wishing you good luck.
    

    There's one thing to check out about diet.  If your cat is taking an
    acidifier via a pill, for example, that also eating a food like CD
    gives him or her a double dose, which isn't good.  You should run your
    food plans past a good vet who knows what medication your puss is on,
    both now and for long term maintenance.
    

    Just want to let you all know how my Marvin faired this weekend.  There
    was no vomiting at all.  His appetite was great and he was urinating on
    a regular basis.  I also bought the CD diet.  So far he loves it. 
    Tammy-Fay seems to like it also.  Jackie-O and Tigress are a little
    finicky right now.  
    
    I spoke to my vet about Marvin's condition over the weekend.  He was a
    little concerned about my stopping the medication but said that I
    should watch the kitty and keep him informed about any problems.  I
    wish that we could set up another litter box but there is just no room
    at our condo for another box.
    
    Thank you all for your help.
    
    Arlene

    How about next to the current box?  Do you have a one story condo (like
    apt. style converted into condos) or a townhouse style condo?  We have
    a basement and I lined up 3 boxes all in a row.  Works great.  I will
    avoid litterboxes in the bathrooms and bedrooms at all costs unless a
    particular cat is sick and requires isolation from the others.
    

    In addition to the regular litter box in a "spare" bedroon, I do have
    one of the covered ones in the bathroom.  It actually works pretty well
    in terms of relative unobtrusiveness.  only one cat will  use it, but
    even that helps.
    

    We have one BIG box in the downstairs bathroom.  We have no spare
    bedrooms and no basement.  They all seem to be doing fine.  I use that
    special litter that you can only purchase via pet stores.  Works great! 
    Very little oder.  They all seem to be eating the CD diet.  When Marvin
    gets in the box to do his morning duty I am usually putting my make-up
    on.  I bend down and listen.  The cat thinks I'm nuts but the sound of
    his little body running normal is music to my ears!!
    
    See you,
    Arlene

    C/D is an excellent food and is just fine for all your cats.  I would
    feed it to every one of mine if I could afford it.
    
    Nausea and vomiting is part of an allergic reaction to antibiotics
    as I know from experience (I'm allergic to Bactrim).  Such symptoms,
    especially if they start with the second course of a particular
    antibiotic (the first course is the "sensitizing dose") should make
    you suspicious and you should contact your vet immediately.  Never never
    never just discontinue an antibiotic without consulting your vet for 
    an alternative.  
    
    Also,  I give my own vaccinations and it is no big deal to give a
    cat a subcutaneous shot.  If you have a cat that can not be pilled,
    or can not take a pill form of a medication, it is quite possible
    for you to learn how to administer shots.  It would probably be
    alot cheaper for you too.
      Nancy DC
    

    "It would probably be alot cheaper for you too."
    
    Clarification:  Cheaper than having the vet do it every time, not
    cheaper than pills.