Cat diarrhea and vomiting

Vestibular disease in cats is a syndrome in which the balance system of the brain and middle ear is disrupted, causing incoordination. Symptoms include uncoordinated gait (ataxia), rapid eye movements (nystagmus), loss of balance, and head tilt.

Lead poisoning in cats is caused by the presence of toxic amounts of lead in the body. When lead poisoning does occur in cats, it is thought to be from self-grooming of lead-containing particles from the fur, but in most cases, there is no known exposure. 

Coccidioidomycosis in cats is a systemic infection caused by inhalation of dust-borne fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioides is endemic in dry, desert areas and outbreaks commonly occur after dust storms.

A portosystemic shunt (PSS) occurs in cats when abnormal blood flow from the digestive and ancillary organs bypasses the liver. Blood from the digestive and enzyme-secreting organs normally flows through into the liver where toxins are processed before being eliminated by the kidneys.

Triaditis in cats is a general term describing a simultaneous presentation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cholangitis, and pancreatitis. These are inflammatory conditions affecting the  digestive tract, bile duct, and pancreas, respectively.

Helicobacter is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach of cats, typically causing no symptoms. In rare cases, cats may develop vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea, or weight loss.

The bacteria Salmonella spp. often infects the intestines of mammals, including cats. Salmonella infection may lead to symptomatic illness, which is referred to as salmonellosis.

Giardiasis refers to a parasitic infection by one of several protozoans in the Giaridia family. In many cases this microorganism lives in infected cats without causing any harm or symptoms.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a disorder in which there is insufficient synthesis or secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the intestine. In cats, this is most commonly caused by damage to the pancreatic glands from chronic inflammation (pancreatitis).

Peptic, or gastrointestinal, ulcers are crater-like lesions in the lining of the stomach or intestines. GI ulcers occur either when stomach acid production is increased, or when there is damage to the protective lining of the tract.

Roundworms (otherwise known as nematodes or ascarids) are a common type of internal parasite that regularly infects cats. While infection rarely causes illness in healthy cats, a heavy worm burden can cause serious health issues such as pneumonia or intestinal blockage.

Whipworms, a parasitic species from the genus Trichuris, infect the digestive tract of cats and release their eggs through the stool into the environment. Once the eggs mature for 9-21 days, they become infectious.

Tapeworms are a common gastrointestinal parasite in cats. Tapeworms are transmitted by ingestion of fleas or raw meat infected with tapeworms. Tapeworm infections are normally asymptomatic but occasionally result in weight loss, abdominal distension, anal itch, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Regurgitation is the act of involuntarily expelling swallowed food from the esophagus out of the mouth. It can be identified by the tubular shape of the ejected matter as well as the passivity of the process. 

Mucus in the stool of cats is a natural lubricant within or surrounding feces that assists with the passage of waste through the digestive system. A small amount of mucus in stool is common in cats, while large amounts are not.

Hookworms are a type of intestinal parasite that feed on blood in cats. Hookworms pass their eggs in the host fecal matter, contaminating the environment.

Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophagus becomes widened along its length, either due to reduced motion of the muscle or an obstruction that prevents food from entering the stomach. Common causes include dysautonomia, autoimmune conditions, tumors, and poisoning.

Cat tongues have backward-facing barbs to assist with pushing food towards their throats. As they groom, they constantly ingest small amounts of loose hair. When ingested hair develops into a mass within the GI tract it is referred to as a hairball or trichobezoar.

Bowel incontinence in cats is involuntary passage of feces, and appears to happen without awareness. This symptom is not to be confused with straining to defecate or inappropriate defecating/house soiling.

Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) and inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis) are inflammatory conditions of their respective organs.

Cholestasis is a reduction in bile flow or production from the liver. Bile functions to neutralize stomach acid as it enters the intestines, assists in digestion of fats, and excretion of other metabolites

Constipation is straining to defecate when the colon is full. Constipation is not to be confused with diarrhea which may cause straining to defecate when the colon is empty and irritated.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of idiopathic (spontaneous) conditions that lead to chronic inflammation of the digestive tract.

Allergies are common in cats, similar to other species. Harmless proteins in the environment (allergens) stimulate the immune system, which overreacts and produces a strong inflammatory response.

Food allergies are a reaction of the immune system to specific proteins within the diet.

Motion sickness is the feeling of nausea during land, sea, or air travel caused by excessive or unpredictable movement.

A gastrointestinal (GI) foreign body obstruction is the result of ingesting a foreign object that is not able to pass through the body naturally.

Vomiting is the act of forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles leading to the ejection of ingested material through the mouth.

Whereas humans get sneezy and sniffly at certain times of the year, some cats get red, itchy skin and secondary skin infections for the same reason: seasonal allergies.

Megacolon is the dilation and dysfunction of the colon resulting in difficulty evacuating stool.