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Chronic gastritis in cats

Chronic gastritis is persistent inflammation of the stomach lining. It results in vomiting which recurs regularly for weeks or months. Many owners consider that a cat vomits “naturally”. This is false: a healthy cat rarely vomits. Repeated...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

Chronic gastritis is persistent inflammation of the stomach lining. It results in vomiting which recurs regularly for weeks or months.

Many owners consider that a cat vomits “naturally”. This is false: a healthy cat rarely vomits. Repeated vomiting always deserves an explanation.

Gastritis is rarely an isolated disease. It often accompanies inflammation of the intestine, food intolerance, kidney disease or liver damage.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Vomiting Loss of appetite Weight loss Regurgitation Excessive salivation Dull coat Pain Fatigue

Recurrent vomiting, sometimes of yellow bile in the morning on an empty stomach, sometimes of poorly digested food shortly after a meal.

Regurgitation and nausea, with licking of the lips, empty swallowing and salivation.

Capricious appetite: the cat approaches the bowl then turns away.

Slow weight loss and dull hair when the situation lasts.

Abdominal pain or discomfort, difficult to spot in cats.

Fatigue and drop in activity.

Digested blood, in the form of brown grains resembling coffee grounds, can appear in vomit in the event of an ulcer: this is a warning sign.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Food intolerance or hypersensitivity is a common and often overlooked cause.

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease frequently spreads to the stomach.

Chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or liver damage cause regular vomiting.

Digestive parasites, including a stomach worm in hunting cats, are sometimes the cause.

Foreign bodies, large hairballs or a gastric mass irritate the wall.

Certain medications, particularly anti-inflammatories, attack the stomach lining. This is one reason why you should never give a cat human medicine.

Stomach lymphoma can give exactly the same picture in an older cat.

Middle-aged to elderly cats, in which kidney and thyroid diseases are added.

Long-haired cats or cats that lick themselves a lot, which accumulate hair in the stomach.

Hunter cats, exposed to stomach parasites.

Animals having received medications not prescribed for them.

Cats already followed for a chronic digestive disease.

Frequent or sudden dietary changes.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

The veterinarian begins by locating the problem: frequency of vomiting, timing in relation to meals, appearance of the contents, presence of blood.

A complete clinical examination includes palpation of the abdomen, neck for the thyroid, and examination of the mouth.

A blood test looks for kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, liver damage, and evaluates the pancreas.

A stool analysis rules out parasites.

An ultrasound examines the thickness of the lining of the stomach and intestine as well as the abdominal lymph nodes.

An endoscopy allows you to look directly inside the stomach and take samples: this is the only way to distinguish chronic inflammation from an ulcer or lymphoma.

A strict dietary trial is often proposed as first intention when the cat's general condition allows it.

Treatment

The treatment targets the identified cause: it is not the same thing to treat a food intolerance, a parasite or a kidney disease.

A change of diet, towards a highly digestible or single protein food, given strictly for several weeks, is often the first try.

Smaller, more frequent meals reduce vomiting bile on an empty stomach.

Stomach protectants and acid-reducing medications are prescribed if there is an ulcer or marked irritation.

Anti-nausea medications and medications to help empty the stomach are used as appropriate.

Antiparasitic treatment is implemented if a parasite is identified or suspected.

Treatments modulating immunity are reserved for chronic inflammations confirmed by sampling.

Never give your cat medicine from your pharmacy: human anti-inflammatories and painkillers cause ulcers and serious liver and kidney damage.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Only change foods gradually, over a week or so.

Brush your cat regularly, especially if it is long-haired, to limit hair ingestion.

Maintain antiparasitic treatment adapted to his lifestyle, according to the veterinarian's advice.

Keep human medicines, poisonous plants and household products out of reach.

Offer several small meals rather than one large ration, especially for cats who vomit bile in the morning.

Consult as soon as vomiting reoccurs: the earlier the cause is identified, the simpler the treatment.

Possible complications

Stomach ulcer, with bleeding and vomiting the color of coffee grounds.

Weight loss and deficiencies due to reduced appetite and poor digestion.

Dehydration during bouts of vomiting.

Complete cessation of food, with the risk of hepatic lipidosis beyond two to three days without eating.

Delay in diagnosis of a more serious illness, renal, thyroid or tumor, masked by trivial vomiting.

When to see a veterinarian

Your cat vomits more than once or twice a month, or several days in a row.

His vomit contains red blood or brown grains resembling coffee grounds: consult urgently.

He loses weight, his hair becomes dull, he becomes less active.

He has refused to eat for twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

He vomits and drinks a lot more than before.

He was given human medication: call a veterinarian immediately.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the cause. Gastritis linked to food, parasites or hairballs is generally corrected very well.

Forms linked to chronic inflammation of the intestine are controlled over the long term with good comfort of life.

Gastritis secondary to kidney, thyroid or tumor disease follows the prognosis of the underlying disease.

Trivializing chronic vomiting is the main aggravating factor: it is the delay in diagnosis which costs the most.

Frequently asked questions

At how much vomiting should you consult?

There is no magic threshold, but a cat who vomits more than once or twice a month on a regular basis, or several days in a row, should be examined. A healthy cat rarely vomits.

Do hairballs explain everything?

They explain an occasional episode, not chronic vomiting or weight loss. Systematically attributing vomiting to hair often delays the diagnosis of a real illness.

My cat vomits yellow bile in the morning, is it serious?

This is often linked to an empty stomach for too long. Splitting meals, with a small portion late in the evening, frequently helps. If this persists despite everything, exploration is necessary.

Can I give him a human stomach bandage while I wait?

No. Many common human medications are toxic to cats, and masking the signs complicates diagnosis. Always seek the advice of a veterinarian before administering anything.