Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My cat vomited, now breathing heavy, weak, and pooping himself?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | British Shorthair | Male | unneutered

Hi, my cat all of a sudden started being sick, he sicked up a hairball, then his breathing was heavy and fast, then he started to lose balance. Like he could stand up and then he pooed himself.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 25th, 2017

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sometimes when we, or animals, vomit, as cats sometimes do with hairballs, this can put pressure on a nerve that runs through the stomach that can cause us to become weak and defecate due to changes in blood pressure. If this was the case then Blaze should have returned to normally very quickly after the episode and be 100% normal now. The other possible cause is that Blaze could have an underlying heart condition that is causing a weakness, or could have aspirated (some of the vomit went into his lungs). If Blaze is still breathing up, or acting abnormally, or if the collapse episodes occur again, I would have him into the vet right away. If he is completely normal now then I would just monitor him and have your vet check out Blaze's heart at your next exam for vaccines. Best of luck with Blaze.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored