![]() ![]() Treatment of regurgitation depends on the underlying cause. Cat Regurgitation Treatment and Prevention Sometimes, “swallow studies” are performed using contrast dye to assess with x-rays how food is moving through the gastrointestinal tract. In this process, a flexible tube with a video camera is placed down the esophagus and into the stomach for direct visualization, and in some cases, to obtain tissue biopsies. This would include a thorough oral examination to assess the back of the throat and upper gastrointestinal tract with an endoscopy. Your vet may also need to do more invasive testing that requires general anesthesia. Non-invasive diagnostic testing includes bloodwork, x-rays of the neck, chest, and abdomen to assess the entire GI tract, and abdominal ultrasound. Veterinarians can do several tests to seek the underlying cause of regurgitation in your cat. How Do Vets Find the Cause of Cat Regurgitation? Diseases of the esophagus, including cancers, certain parasites (specifically Spirocerca lupi), benign growths, hiatal hernias, rabies virus, or foreign objects stuck in the throat can also cause cats to regurgitate.This causes a stricture that does not allow much food to pass by it. With patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the vessels that normally close at birth remain open (or patent) and wrap around the esophagus. Congenital malformations can cause regurgitation in cats.Esophageal issues such as decreased motility (either a muscular or neurologic issue of the autonomic nervous system) and narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus can lead to frequent regurgitation.Drinking a large amount of water before or after eating can also cause regurgitation due to the stomach filling up with water.Sometimes when cats get anxious, such as when they are fed next to other cats, they innately feel a competitive nature to eat quickly and as much as possible. Cats will regurgitate undigested food almost immediately. Eating too quickly: If your cat eats food too quickly, air is often ingested, causing the stomach to fill with air and food.Overeating: If your cat tends to ingest more food than their stomach can hold, some of that food will remain in the esophagus and be expelled via the mouth right after eating. Sometimes, your pet just eats too fast, but other times, there’s another cause behind regurgitation. Some of these issues are easier to resolve than others, and a speedy diagnosis allows for accurate treatment. ![]() However, more frequent regurgitation is something a veterinarian should look into, as it is likely caused by an underlying issue. If regurgitation occurs less than once monthly and/or seems to coincide with eating quickly or overeating, then it’s not something to be overly concerned about. Vomiting is often preempted by behavior such as drooling, lip-smacking, licking floors, increased gut sounds, or eating grass. Vomiting, on the other hand, involves forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles. This undigested food is often accompanied by slimy saliva or water and usually has a tubular shape, since it never entered the stomach. Cats will often lower their head and eliminate food from the mouth easily, with no signs of nausea or upset stomach. Usually, regurgitation occurs just after eating, and the food expelled looks like it hasn’t been digested. Vomiting ejects contents of the stomach and upper small intestine, while regurgitation ejects contents of the esophagus. With regurgitation, however, contents from the esophagus passively move up the esophagus and out of the mouth. This means that the stomach actively contracts to produce vomit. One difference between cat regurgitation and vomiting is that vomiting is usually an active process. If you see lethargy, active vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss along with regurgitation, contact your veterinarian immediately. It is important to determine the cause of the regurgitation so you can work with your vet to alleviate the issue. Cat regurgitation can be caused by many conditions or by a congenital (present from birth) defect of the esophagus. Regurgitation is defined as the action of bringing swallowed food up the esophagus and into the mouth. But regurgitation is actually different from vomiting, and it’s important to be able to spot the difference. Pet parents often use the words vomiting, throwing up, and regurgitation interchangeably.
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