Page 687 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

31 – THE CAT WITH SIGNS OF CHRONIC VOMITING 679

history of drugs the cat is taking or has taken, toxins it GASTRITIS/GASTRIC ULCER DISEASE
has been exposed to and the potential for accidental or
malicious poisoning.
Classical signs
Some commonly used drugs known to cause vomit-
● Frequent vomiting is typical, but
ing in cats include many, if not most, antibiotics (e.g. intermittent vomiting will occur in some
amoxicillin, cephalexin, enrofloxacin, tetracycline, cats.
erythromycin, metronidazole, clindamycin), chemo-
● Hematemesis or melena occurs with
therapy drugs (dacarbazine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, severe gastritis or bleeding ulcers.
methotrexate, cyclophosphamide), methimazole, potas-
sium bromide, glipizide, and antifungal drugs (e.g.
See main reference on page 637 for details (The Cat
itraconazole, amphotericin).
With Signs of Acute Vomiting).
In some cases, determination of blood levels of a spe-
cific drug will confirm the presence of a drug or toxin Clinical signs
that was unknown or unexpected. Alternatively, hair
and urine samples can also be used in some cases to Vomiting, either frequently or intermittently, is the pri-
determine the presence of metabolites of various drugs mary clinical sign. Severe gastritis and ulcer disease
or chemicals. will result in anorexia, abdominal discomfort,
lethargy or weight loss.
If the suspected exposure is recent, evacuation of the
stomach and analysis of its contents will also provide a Cats with severe gastritis or ulcer disease may also have
means of determining the presence of drugs or chemicals. hematemesis or melena from mucosal bleeding.

Differential diagnosis Diagnosis
Other acute causes of vomiting such as food intoler- Endoscopic examination of the gastric mucosa will
ance/dietary indiscretion, parasitic diseases, infectious often reveal the surface erosions or ulcers, however,
diseases, foreign bodies or gastritis due to other causes histologic examination of the tissue is required to
should be considered when the history is not helpful in make a diagnosis of gastritis. Mild or chronic gastritis
identifying exposure. lesions may not have an abnormal mucosal appearance.
Gastric or duodenal ulcers can also be identified by con-
trast radiography and by ultrasonography in some
Treatment
cases, but these techniques are not as useful as endoscopy.
Choice of treatment depends on whether the vomiting is
Most cats with gastritis will have a normal hemogram
expected (e.g. chemotherapy) and can be controlled with
and chemistry profile. Cats with bleeding ulcers may
anti-emetics (e.g. metoclopramide or chlorpromazine),
have evidence of acute (non-regenerative if peracute,
or is due to unexpected toxicity or accidental ingestion.
regenerative if recent) or chronic blood loss (may be
Supportive care for toxicity or accidental ingestion either regenerative or non-regenerative depending on
includes removal of stomach contents and gastric amount of hemorrhage).
lavage, administration of activated charcoal to reduce
absorption of contents, administration of gastric protec- Differential diagnosis
tants as indicated (NSAID ingestion will cause gastri-
tis), anti-emetics (metoclopramide or chlorpromazine), Helicobacter spp. infection, parasites (Physaloptera,
and fluid support to prevent or treat dehydration. Ollanus spp.), IBD, neoplasia, gastritis due to other
extra-intestinal diseases.
In cats with vomiting due to intolerance (e.g. tetra-
cycline), changing the drug protocol to another that will In cats with ulcers that do not respond to standard
be effective is generally all that is indicated. therapy, ulcer disease due to a gastrinoma should be