Pepper Has Been Throwing Up

[krazyaboutkatz]

Hello everyone. Well it looks like I'm having more health problems with Pepper. He has started throwing up several times a day now. I believe it started this past Friday. Other than that he's acting normal. He's also having sneezing attacks but not as much as he had been. This morning his nose was running a little bit but this evening it seems fine again. He's had so many tests already that I really don't know what the vet can do other than to give him another shot of cortizone. For some reason this seems to help him. The vet had told me that he may need to start taking cortizone pills since this seems to help him. I'm still watching him very closely and will call the vet tomorrow to see if they can recommend anything or give him anything to help him. I sure wish that Pepper could tell me what is wrong with him.

[Nomilynn]

Oh dear! I'm sorry Pepper has an upset tummy. What is he throwing up? Is it hairballs or is it actual ... throw up?? (How does one phrase that in a pleasant way???) I hope it's nothing serious! Please keep us updated, and I will continiue to pray for Pepper's health.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by Nomilynn
Oh dear! I'm sorry Pepper has an upset tummy. What is he throwing up? Is it hairballs or is it actual ... throw up?? (How does one phrase that in a pleasant way???) I hope it's nothing serious! Please keep us updated, and I will continiue to pray for Pepper's health. He's been throwing up food and if his stomach is empty then it's been liquid stuff. I feel so bad for him but he acts fine. :(

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh no.. Pepper, what's wrong with you? Is your tummy not feeling good now. Please let your mommy know what' doesn't feel good so she can fix it for you. Poor boy. :(

I sure hope they can find out what's bothering poor Pepper. I believe Peanut is taking cortizone pills (prednisolone - is that cortizone?). She takes 1/2 one everyday. If you remember she was licking her fur off in certain spots and Tubby was helping her causing her to swat him causing him to attack her causing a big ruckus. Anyway, it was determined she has allergies so he gave me the Prednisolone - one a day until it was under control. It never really got under control, so he said to wean her down to 1/2 every other day, but that wasn't enough so she gets 1/2 everyday. Her hair has still not completely grown back on her tummy - indicating that she's still licking it - but her legs are pretty much back to normal so I feel 1/2 everyday is a good compromise.

If Pepper's problems really are allergy related - and it sounds like they are, these pills could really do him some good. And they're less than $5.00 for 20 pills, so they're not expensive.

Please let us know what the vet says and how Pepper continues to do. Give the poor kitty an extra hug and smooch from me. :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper has an appointment at 9:30 this morning so I'll hopefully know more later today. I'll post an update as soon as I can.

[Cataholic]

Everything is crossed here!

[Edwina's Secretary]

Edwina stayed in bed late this morning (didn't go downstairs with her poppa for coffee/turkey.) I thought it was due to the cold.

When she finally got out of bed she also roused me with the "hack, hack, hack" that proceeds a good vomit. At least the first one was on the hardwood floor -- saving the second smaller one for the rug.

Perhaps there is a kitty tummy bug going around and she and Pepper are both victims?

[wayne0214]

Strangely enough, My Tiara barfed up her mornign meal this AM. I noticed that she was not acting like her normal self, in that she always jumps on my lap and wants her morning scritchies. Now, she is acting her usual self, running through the house, and playing chase with King Otis, and of course, her belated scritchies.

Sometimes she worries me because she is so thin, and doesn't eat much. And then to barf up everything she ate this morning.....!:( But then again neither does Amy. I am guessing that some cats are normally thin. Can anyone verify this?

.......wayne

[wolflady]

Prayers are still on the way for dear Pepper!! What sort of tests has he had in the past? I just posted on Cataholics' thread and it got me to thinking if Pepper has ever been tested for hyperthyroidism?? It can cause vomiting, weight loss, under or over-grooming. Just a thought! I sure hope it's nothing serious!

Do let us know how the vet appointment goes, and give him some scritchies for me!
**hugs**

Wayne, have you tried different foods with her? Sometimes cats can just have really sensitive (picky) stomachs, so it's just a matter of finding the food that stays down! :eek: Otherwise, does she seem ok?

Karen

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
At least the first one was on the hardwood floor -- saving the second smaller one for the rug.



OMG! I thought I was the only one that thought like that...I never get too stressed when the 'biggie' is on the hardwood....cause the little one is so easy to clean up!!!

[jenluckenbach]

With Pepper's food allergies, have you changed his food? Could it have been too quick of a change? Maybe it is something as simple as that. All hugs and prayers coming your way, dear Pepper.

[NoahsMommy]

Poor thing. :(

I was going to suggest a food change. I know that someone posted a site that talked about this special food made only in CA that was for sensitive tummies and it sounded really great. I'll find the link for you, maybe that would help sweet Pepper.

We switched to Royal Canin Special and Indoor. The Special is for sensitive tummies, Noah hasn't thrown up in two weeks! :) Thank goodness. Maybe that's an option for you too?

[NoahsMommy]

Here's the link for California Natural:
http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=cal-home

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Poor Pepper!! :(
Sending prayers your way sweet kitty. Please keep us posted on what the vet says.

[AmberLee]

Wow! Has the vet changed his foods due to his allergies yet? Poor Pepper. Poor Tracey, you must be half frantic with this latest health challenge. I'll see you tonight when I drop of the clock. {{{hugs to you and your fur-crew}}} Fingers crossed that Pepper'll be himself soon.

***

Sara, the new photo of Tinky and Jupiter in your signature block is ADORABLE!

[Miss Meow]

Pepper, why are you stressing us all out? What's wrong with you little boy? Hope the white coat can find the solution and make you well soon :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper's vet visit was very stressful on poor Pepper. The vet said that his heart was beating very rapidly. He was also shaking and his temperature went up too. He hates the vet. For now he was given a cortizone injection which should last for 2-4 weeks. I also have prednisolone pills to give him when he starts throwing up again. The vet thinks that he has irritable bowel syndrome. Once I start him on the pills I'll gradually taper him down to just the amount that he needs. That will be the tricky part. So far he hasn't thrown up yet. My roommate said that he spent most of the day sitting by the front door just waiting for me to come home. As soon as I opened the door, he came running out into the hallway to greet me. He was very happy to see me. I sure hope that he feels better. The vet also tested his tear ducts again. The right one is still blocked and so is the right nostril. This would explain his stuffiness. The pills should also help this too. I haven't changed his food yet and I may not have to if the pills work. I'm also waiting to hear which brands of food are recommended for him from the lab that did his food allergy test. I sure hope that this treatment will work for him.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by wolflady
Prayers are still on the way for dear Pepper!! What sort of tests has he had in the past? I just posted on Cataholics' thread and it got me to thinking if Pepper has ever been tested for hyperthyroidism?? It can cause vomiting, weight loss, under or over-grooming. Just a thought! I sure hope it's nothing serious!



Karen Pepper hasn't been tested for hyperthyroidism yet but if he continues to lose weight and continues to throw up then the vet has recommended that he get this test done. I sure hope that this isn't the case. He did lose some weight but he's also been throwing up for a few days. He always loses weight when he's sick but then quickly gains it back when he's feeling better.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by krazyaboutkatz
My roommate said that he spent most of the day sitting by the front door just waiting for me to come home. As soon as I opened the door, he came running out into the hallway to greet me. He was very happy to see me.

Awww, poor Pepper. There's nothing like a good snuggle with your mommy when you're not feeling well.

I sure hope the meds work for him since it sounds like the vet visits are really tough on him - poor guy. I know the prednisolone works for Peanut, so hopefully it'll be just the thing Pepper needs.

Hope you're feeling better soon, Pepper, for your sake and for your poor mmomy's. Take care, Tracey, and hugs to you and to your beautiful boy, Pepper (and the other two, too :) )

[jenluckenbach]

Pepper, you get better now, OK? We are all very sad by your sickness and we want you to feel good again.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper is still throwing up. :( The vet said that it could take 2-3 days before he stops. I sure hope that he stops soon. I feel so bad for him. If he doesn't improve, I'm going to call the vet on Friday to see what can be done.

[Nomilynn]

I'm so sorry to hear that Pepper still isn't well. I know how hard it is to watch your baby in pain. I will pray he gets well.

[gini]

Oh, too many kitties sick on Pet Talk! I hope that Pepper settles down soon and stops throwing up. I know how upsetting it can be especially when you see them lose weight.

Tracey, please keep us updated, you know that all of us care!

Gini and Rascal

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh, poor Pepper. I sure hope you're feeling better soon. All this being sick isn't good for you or your mommy. Take your medicines like a good little kitty, get some rest and hopefully this will all be over soon.

[ChrisH]

Poor Pepper :( hope you are better soon sweetie.

Tracey, I am keeping the the prayers going for him, and sending love and hugs to the both of you.

Chris

[NoahsMommy]

My sweet little Pepper boy. I hope those meds mommy got will help you feel better. I have IBS too, and it is terrible huh? Tell mommy that there are lots of good cat foods that contain fiber that will really help.

I'll be praying for a light at the end of the tunnel to come soon sweet boy.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Well this is how my morning started out today. Sunny woke me up at 4am because I think he was hungry. Pepper woke me up at around 5:15am because he was throwing up again. Storm woke me up again at around 6:15am because he threw up 2 hairballs. My roommate watched Pepper today and he was fine until I came home. He threw up a very large pile of food in my room. He's not on the prednisolone yet. Since he received the shot of cortizone he wasn't supposed to start the pills for 2-4 weeks. I'm calling the vet tomorrow morning to see if I can start the pills and to find out if the lab has listed the food he can eat yet. I sure hope that these pills will do the trick. Kelly, I checked out the California Natural site and it sounds very good. They sell it at a few stores near my home too. Thanks for the info.:)

[jenluckenbach]

:( Poor Pepper :(

[lynnestankard]

Oh Tracey poor you and poor Pepper, you really are going through it. Hope the Pet Talk link to God is listening! Keeping your lovely furkid in my thoughts and prayers. {{{Hugs}}}

Lynne

[gini]

Tracey, Friday morning prayers are being said for Pepper. What a time you both are having and I feel for you.

[HayleyRosie]

I sure hope Pepper starts feeling better really soon. Prayers are sent.

[Randi]

Sorry for being so late here! I hope dear Pepper will be feeling a lot better very soon - poor guy!

Will send positive thoughts and keep our paws and fingers crossed for him! :)

Hugs to you all!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the positive energy and prayers for Pepper. :) I think that he's feeling much better today. I called the vet this morning and he told me to start the pills. I gave him his morning pill and so far he hasn't thrown up yet. :) I need to really watch him the next few days because if he does start throwing up then he may have a different kind of problem. He seems to want a lot of extra loving which is fine with me. I sure hope that he's on the road to recovery. Thanks again everyone for your concerns towards him. :) I'll keep you updated if anything changes.

[Miss Meow]

I'm so glad that Pepper had a better day today :) Here's hoping that it continues - go Pepper! Give him a big cat hug for me :)

[jenluckenbach]

What a relief to have some possitive news. I hope this medicine does the trick. We are all still thinkng about you.

[gini]

Good news to read first thing this morning. I bet you aren't having any trouble giving Pepper lots of snuggles. Let's just pray that the medicine works. It is so upsetting when our pets are sick - and we become such Mother Hens!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper threw up a little bit this morning. It was food but he hadn't had anything to eat for at least 8-9 hours. I called the vet again this morning and he said he should be okay as long as he isn't throwing up all of his food. He also said it could be a hairball. I give him hairball stuff every other day but now I have to give it to him every day for a while. I also received a long list of foods that the lab recommends. I didn't expect such a long list. I'm going to try to research some of these and decide which food I want to switch to. Eventually all 3 cats will have to also switch to the new food but for now Storm and Sunny need to finish the Nutro Natural Complete Care Weight Management Formula because I have about 15lbs of this left. The vet also said that I may just have to live with Pepper throwing up a little bit every now and then. The solution is never easy with Pepper. I do think that switching food will help him.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so glad to hear Pepper is doing better. A throw up now and then is easily lived with if the doc says that's not unusual. Here's hoping he continues to improve with his meds. :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Here's another Pepper update. I bought him some new food today called Felidae. It was one of the foods on the list that I received from the vet. This food has even helped cats with the feline leukemia virus. It also doesn't have any ingredients in it that he's allergic too and it costs just a little bit more than the food I've been feeding him.:) Here's the website if any one is interested www.canidae.com. I mixed it with the old food and Pepper really seemed to like it. The problem is that he threw up again this evening. This time it was a large amount of food.:( Tomorrow I'm going to try to feed him only small amounts of food and see how it goes. My roommate is on disability so she said that she can help me feed the cats during the day. I sure hope that this will work because I don't know what else to do. :confused:

[jenluckenbach]

I am having a thought. I had a cat who, when she got too hungry she would eat very fast and then throw up. Now, after throwing up, she was extra hungry and would do it again next time and the time after that, like a cycle. (I fed a.m/p.m not free feed). The only way I could break this cycle was to actually FORCE her to eat slower.
now how does this relate to Pepper? He has been throwing up, so he might be so hungry that he is eating fast. attempt to slow him down by offering only very small amounts spread out over time, but not too much time. Like on a day off, feed him a tablespoon full every1/2 hour or so. IF it works, then the cycle will be broken so that when he goes to eat a regular meal later, he might not stuff himself.

I realize that this is a long shot, with all that he has been through, but this COULD be a part of what is adding to his stess.

hope this helps.

Poor Pepper:( ! I hope your pills will help you !! Pleez get better , okay :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Today I've been feeding Pepper several small meals. So far he hasn't thrown up but sometimes he'll do it in the wee hours of the morning. He did throw up some liquid at about 6am this morning. Storm really wants to eat his food too and has been acting very jealous today. I was able to trick all 3 cats into thinking that I was giving them treats but this only lasted for one feeding. Storm was too smart to fall for that again. I think that I'm just going to have to start feeding all 3 of them the new food but I'll try this method for at least a week to see if they'll get used to this method of feeding. I know that the pills may make Pepper more hungry and thirsty but I never saw him eating very fast. He would just eat more often. He actually didn't even eat very much today. I sure hope that this doesn't mean that he's going to stop eating. :( I guess I'll know more tomorrow.

[cturtle]

I know what you mean! My cat (bailey) has been throwing up his food too! He's been doing it almost every day now! I have no idea whats wrong with him:(. I hope that all the kittys with the upset stomachs are ok. Mabye it is just a bug, I hope all kittys will be just fine.;) :p

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by cturtle
I know what you mean! My cat (bailey) has been throwing up his food too! He's been doing it almost every day now!

Welcome to Pet Talk Cturtle. :) How old is Bailey? You might want to take him in and have him checked because - as you can see - upset tummies are sometimes much more than just that. It could also be a sign of kidney failure which is much more common in older cats, but can occur in younger ones too. And no matter what kind of sickness he might have, it's always better to catch them earlier rather than later. Please let us know how Bailey is doing.