Top Medications Causing Cat Vomiting - Be Aware!
Let's categorize medications into steroidal and nonsteroidal types, and delve into the causes of vomiting in cats that may be associated with these two classes of drugs.
Cats and Medications
Steroidal (also known as steroidal) clinical symptoms:
Excessive thirst and frequent urination
Black, tarry stools
Skin disorders
Medical Tests:
Blood tests may show regenerative hemolytic anemia and a leukocytosis
Urine specific gravity may range from 1.010 to 1.030
Serum biochemistry may reveal a decrease in albumin and globulin levels, along with elevated SAP and ALT
Nonsteroidal (nonsteroidal) clinical symptoms:
Black, tarry stools
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Excessive drooling
Depression
Increased respiratory rate
Fever
Medical Tests:
Blood tests may show nonregenerative hemolytic anemia
Serum biochemistry may reveal a decrease in albumin and globulin levels
For example, in cases of acetaminophen poisoning (a common overthecounter cold medicine for humans), early symptoms may include loss of appetite, vomiting, and drooling. Within a few hours, it can lead to methemoglobinemia, with swelling of the face and paws, and can result in death within 36 hours.
How to Treat:
If the drug ingestion is recent, consider gastric lavage. Then, purchase a 10% acetylcysteine injection and dilute it with a 5% glucose injection to create a 5% acetylcysteine solution. Administer cimetidine at a dose of 5mg/kg every 8 hours, and consider blood transfusions and intravenous fluids if necessary.
For aspirin poisoning (a common pain reliever for humans), early signs in cats may include depression, increased respiratory rate, vomiting, and fever. Later, gastrointestinal bleeding, respiratory distress, and hepatitis may occur, potentially leading to death.
How to Treat:
If the aspirin was ingested within 12 hours, consider gastric lavage and administer activated charcoal to adsorb the drug. Blood transfusions and intravenous fluids may also be necessary if needed.
How to Resolve:
Always follow medical advice and never give your cat medications without proper guidance.
