Vomiting and Diarrhea

The crystals that are most commonly implicated in blockage are called struvite (triple phosphate) and are formed when the urinary pH is high (alkaline). Struvite crystal formation can be discouraged through the use of prescription diets and by early detection of any abnormality in your cat’s urinary habits. If stones and crystals are observed in your cat’s urine sample, Hill’s S/d diet (promoting the production of acid urine) may be prescribed for 1-2 months, after which your cat may be switched to Hill’s C/d for long-term maintenance. The veterinary prescription diets made by Purina and Eukanuba are acceptable alternatives. The over-the-counter “urinary tract health” diets, while somewhat helpful, are not adequate in these cases.

In addition to dietary management, frequent urinalyses are essential to screen for crystal formation, infections, and pH changes. After a blockage has occurred, we should recheck the urine, possibly including bacterial cultures, at 3 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, and then biannually or annually thereafter.

IF AT ANY TIME YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOUR MALE CAT IS URINATING FREELY OR IF HIS LITTERBOX BEHAVIOR HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY! After hours, be sure to contact the Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic at 785-1094—this condition requires immediate attention.

A 24-hour fast is performed by completely restricting all food and water. At the end of the fast, a water trial is first performed. Give a small amount of water (1/4-1/2 cup, depending on the size of the patient) and then monitor the patient for nausea or vomiting. In one half-hour, repeat with another water trial. If there is no vomiting, a food trial is then performed. Give ¼ – ½ of the normally fed meal portion. We may recommend a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and rice or provide you with a prescription bland diet). Give two to three small portions of food, and continue to closely monitor for vomiting, lack of appetite, nausea, drooling and lethargy. The goal is to allow the GI tract to rest initially, and then to prevent the pet from gorging on food and water when it is offered after the fast.

If your pet is still vomiting, it is then necessary to follow up with a repeat visit to us for a second physical examination. Radiographs or other blood tests may be necessary at this time.

If at any time your pet becomes weaker, more lethargic, is vomiting profusely, or if blood is seen in the vomit or in the diarrhea, please call us for advice immediately. If any diarrhea problem changes so that the diarrhea looks like pure water or like raspberry jam, this is an emergency and you should check with us immediately so that we can reexamine your pet.