While acid reflux is much more common in dogs, cats can also have it.
Acid reflux in cats, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when the contents from the stomach travel back into the esophagus. This leads to irritation and inflammation (swelling).
Key dealers
- Acid reflux in cats occurs when the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, often due to inflammation or injury.
- The symptoms include vomiting, upset, slicing and poor appetite.
- The treatment includes oxygen reducing, GI mobility medicines and diet changes.
- Prevent reflux with safe feeding, medication practice and avoid foreign objects.
What is acidic reflux in cats?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid and/or the food travel from the stomach back into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
In cats, the most common reason is that the stomach acid comes back up underlying esophagus or inflammation of the esophagus.
If something leads to inflammation and reduction of the esophagus, it affects the normal journey of food from the mouth to the stomach.
This flow change can result in the stomach acid moving backwards and entering the esophagus, leading to further irritation of the feed. This can be very uncomfortable for affected cats.
Acid reflux in cats is generally not considered to be a medical emergency.
However, this can be more urgent if your cat would stop eating or not be able to keep the food down. In that case, they should be seen as soon as possible.
Symptoms of acid reflux in cats
Symptoms of acid reflux in cats include:
Causes of acid reflux in cats
Acid reflux in cats can be caused by various things, from an anatomical deviation that they were born with to an injury to the esophagus.
The most common cause of acid reflux in cats is damage to the esophagus. This can occur after a surgical procedure, get some medicines or eat things they should not do.
Gastroesophageal reflux can be a complication after a medical or surgical procedure. When a cat goes under anesthesia, they often have a tube placed in their airway that is connected to inhaled gas anesthesia.
If a cat is fed before anesthesia and vomiting around the tube, it can lead to the stomach acid moving up and burning esophageal tissue. If a feeding pipe was introduced and has moved to the wrong location, this can also lead to acid reflux.
Acid reflux in cats occurs when the contents from the stomach travel back into the esophagus. This leads to irritation and inflammation (swelling).
Doxycycline is a common antibiotic prescribed in veterinary medicine. In cats, doxycycline can lead to strict (reduction) of the esophagus if pills are given without following up with multiple milliliters of water to wash it all the way down.
If pill gets stuck in the esophagus, it damages the tissue, leading to a reduction in opening and future struggles with acid reflux.
Eating things that cats should not eat (such as strings or toys) can cause them to get stuck in the esophagus at the breast inlet, the hole that the esophagus travels through on the way to the stomach.
Even big hairballs can get stuck here when a cat tries to play them.
Everything that gets stuck in the esophagus can cause secondary inflammation and reduction of that path. Admitting chemicals or even hot canned foods can also lead to trauma through chemical or thermal burns.
Sometimes cats are born or develop anatomical problems that can cause acid reflux. Hiatal Hernias, when part of the stomach shoots through the membrane, can cause secondary Gerd.
Vascular ringanomaly (where part of a blood vessel grows abnormally, captures the esophagus) or diverticulum (abnormal pockets in the esophagus) occurs in rare patients.
Megaesophagus, a condition where the esophagus is too large and does not send food properly from the mouth to the stomach, can also lead to acid reflux.
Acid reflux can occur in cats of any ages, gender or breeds. Fortunately, it is not a common condition in cats.
How veterinarians diagnose acidic reflux in cats
Unlike dogs, cats are not often diagnosed with acid reflux. Most cats with acid reflux have a history of either an abnormality with their esophagus or trauma to the esophagus.
If your cat has symptoms of GERD and has a history that can include the possible esophagus of the esophagus, your veterinarian may recommend several tests:
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If they cannot note any changes to normal X -rays, they may recommend contrast tests where your cat is fed barium before you get X -rays. The barium lights up light white on the X -ray, so it is easy to see if there is a decrease.
Be sure to talk to your veterinarian to find out if you should keep food from your cat before some time.
If you happen to see your cat vomit or regurgitate, try to get a video that you can share with your veterinarian.
Treatment of acid reflux in cats
Acid reflux is often treated with acid -reducing medications to prevent further damage to the esophagus from stomach acid. Medicines such as Famotidine and Omeprazole are usually prescribed.
In addition, your cat may need medication to help keep things moving through their GI channel so that they are not backed up. Cisaprid is a common procinetics that can be prescribed.
Sakralfate is a medicine that is often mixed with water to make a swelling that can cover an irritated esophageal feed to provide some relief.
If there is trauma for the esophagus, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, such as Clavamox, or steroids, such as prednisolone.
Rarely may cats need a surgical procedure called a balloon enlargement to try to open the narrower part of their esophagus, or they may need a surgical repair if there is a hernia or anatomical defect.
Most cases of acid reflux are handled rather than cured.
Recovery and handling of sour reflux in cats
Medicines can provide some relief and get your cat more comfortable within a few days.
Your veterinarian may recommend a canned or liquid diet if your cat struggles to swallow. Palable urgent care diets (such as Hill's A/D canned food) may be recommended to meet your cat calorie needs while their esophagus is healing.
Prevention of acid reflux in cats
Way to prevent acid reflux in cats include:
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Keep food and water after midnight the night before some procedures where your cat is undergoing anesthesia. This will reduce their risk of vomiting and burn their esophagus.
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If your cat is prescribed doxycycline, be sure to give them at least 5 ml of water at the syringe after giving them their pills.
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Keep all strings or toys with strings out of sight and out of reach to reduce the chance that your cat will eat a foreign object.
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If you need to heat canned pet food in the microwave oven, make short showers at low power in 10-15 seconds before properly mixing and testing on the inside of the wrist to avoid all hot spots, which can burn the esophagus.
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Keep chemicals sealed tightly and in cabinets that cats do not have access to.
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If your cat is vomited more than once a week, get them to a veterinarian for quick treatment to lower the risk of damaging their esophagus from chronic spew and contact with stomach acid.
Acid Reflux in Cats Frequently Asked Questions
How do you treat acid reflux in cats?
Acid reflux is usually treated with antacids and medicines that help digest food through the GI channel.
What is a stomach acid editor for cats?
Both Famotidine (Pepcid) and Omeprazole (Prilosec) can be dosed for a cat. Always talk to your veterinarian about the correct dosage before giving your cat any medicine.
What should you do if your cat has high acidity?
If your cat has lots of stomach acid, ask your veterinarian about possibly giving them an acid -reducing medication.
How does indigestion in cats look like?
Digestive problems can appear as vomiting, poor appetite or excessive saliva (slicing) in cats.
When should I worry about cat upstairs?
If your cat revives more than just a temporary hairball, say once every two to four weeks, talk to your veterinarian.
How do you treat acid reflux in cats that vomit naturally?
Acid reflux is not common in cats. If your cat is often vomited, talk to your veterinarian.
