Kitty Tummy Troubles

**heinz57_79** · 07-02-2004, 02:34 PM

Hey all... I have a query on behalf of a friend of mine. One of her cats isn't feeling so hot and she's wondering if anyone may have any ideas on what it could be. She says Ipo (her cat) has been vomitting every day for a week. It's dark yellow - dark brown in colour, and usually has hair and food in it. She's still eating and drinking ok, but won't stop vomitting. She's going to take her into the white coats next week when she gets her student loan money, but she's wondering if anyone has any ideas that may work in the short term.

Thanks all!

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 07-02-2004, 03:19 PM

I would definitely recommend the white coat visit, but knowing what I know about kitties vomiting, I would try 1/4 of a Pepcid until she gets her in. This helped Tubby immensely. And I know Pepcids are tiny pills to begin with, and cutting that teeny thing into 4 isn't that easy, but it's important to cut it because kitties can't take the same doses we 2 leggers can.

Disclaimer though, this is only teimporary until she can get the kitty to the white coats, because kitty definitely needs to be checked.

Good luck and please keep us updated on Ipo's vet results.

**kimlovescats** · 07-02-2004, 03:43 PM

Good just be really bad hairballs, but I would definitely go to the vets to be SURE! Hope her kitty gets well soon!

**heinz57_79** · 07-02-2004, 10:17 PM

I'll suggest the pepcid idea, hopefully it will provide temporary relief... I said I thought it could be a big hairball, and recommended a hairball remedy, but idealy she needs to take her to the vet.

I'll pass on the info, tho! Thanks!

**smokey the elder** · 07-03-2004, 07:27 AM

I don't like that brown stuff. I'd get the kitty to the vet quick.

**RockysMommy** · 07-04-2004, 11:57 AM

Never give Pepcid to a cat without first knowing what is wrong with the cat. That is really bad advice to tell someone to give 1/4 Pepcid because their cat is vomiting. First of all, there are several reasons why a cat could be vomiting and Pepcid only addresses one reason - excess stomach acid production. If that is the reason, you need to get to the root of the problem, not just suppress symptoms. Second of all, 1/4 of a Pepcid tab is an indefinite dose. Pepcid AC comes in two different doses - 10 mg and 20 mg. There is also Pepcid Complete and chewable Pepcid which contain ingredients which may be contraindicated for Ipo. So which Pepcid are we talking about? And how often are you supposed to give this medication to a cat? This drug is cleared through the kidneys and could cause kidney damage.

It is a good idea to have bloodwork done to check the status of metabolic functions (e.g. kidneys, liver, pancreas).

**Tubby & Peanut's Mom** · 07-08-2004, 01:15 PM

RockysMommy, I only suggested the Pepcid as a temporary fix until the kitty could be brought to the vet. Did you not read my disclaimer?

I seem to remember you posting at least one other time like this when I suggested Pepcid. Have you got some reason to be so against it? My vet is the one that suggested I use it for Tubby since he is in the beginning stages of kidney failure, and for at least the last 2 1/2 years now he has been stable - no further damage and, as a matter of fact, his blood work improved after giving the Pepcid.

So rather than just throw out random posts negating someone else's advice, explain yourself and your reasoning please.