Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My cat threw up, is lethargic, and won't eat. Should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Egyptian Mau | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 3 months old

My cat threw up the usual food we feed her and then bile yesterday night. Today she is lethargic and acting out of the ordinary. she hasn’t drank water or eaten her favorite treats. What should i do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 1st, 2018

I would take Gypsy into the vet right away. I see that she isn't spayed, and her symptoms could be indicative of a pyometra. A pyometra is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. It could also be that she is sick with a GI illness or pancreatitis causing her symptoms, but because I can't see her in person to rule out a pyometra and the fact that it is so deadly, it's best she sees a vet now. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 8th, 2016

    Poor Ophelia! Even though she is a young cat, one of my first concerns with reading her symptoms is that she may have a pyometra (infection of the uterus). Pyometras do typically occur in older cats, but they can occur in cats of any age. Signs seen with a pyometra vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and an increase in water drinking. She could also have a GI illness, pancreatitis, eaten something rotten, or a foreign body. Given her signs and that she is very weak, I think it would be best that she is seen by a vet now. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, a urinalysis, and possibly x-rays to diagnose what is causing her symptoms. Once the cause is found, then the vet can start treatment. If she has a pyometra, for example, spaying her is the recommended treatment.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My one year old cat has been throwing up frequently today. At the start it was a hair ball, but ever since it’s been bile. I tried withholding food and water for a bit. Then I reintroduced water. After that a little bit of wet food. My cat is letharg
It sounds as Lily is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cats lethargic. Not eating or drinking. Loss of weight really showed today. Thought she had a cold.
Poor Katrina! Unfortunately, these are very vague symptoms that could be caused by almost any kind of illness, so it's hard to say what might be wrong without being able to examine her and run some tests. She may have a systemic illness like liver or kidney disease, some type of infectious disease like FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), or even cancer. Not eating for more than 24 hours in cats always warrants a vet visit, because they can develop a serious liver problem called hepatic lipidosis when they don't eat, in addition to whatever illness is causing the inappetance in the first place. So, I would definitely recommend taking Katrina to the vet today for an exam. He/she can do blood work or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Cat was vomiting about 5 hours apart over 3 days. Stopped now but still lethargic and not eating. She can lie on her belly and purrs when picked up for cuddles I did try her on a new food was a tin food. Grain free brand.
It sounds as Lexy is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet urgently, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Yesterday I went out for night shift at work and in the morning when I came home I found my cat lethargic, she's laying in one of her beds, doesn't want go stay, doesn't want to eat and didn't visit the litter box for more than 10 hours, yesterday s
Poor Masha! It could be she is suffering from something called a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus. It makes a cat very sick, and it's fatal without treatment. I think she needs to see a vet now, and I advise you to take her into one immediately. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat keeps vomiting and is not eating or drinking anything
Poor Ellie! I see that she isn't spayed. When cats aren't spayed, they can be prone to a life threatening infection of the uterus called a pyometra. This would cause her to vomit, not eat, and not drink. Other causes include a severe GI illness, eating something rotten, pancreatitis, or a foreign body. Given the risk of a pyometra and the fact that she isn't eating, drinking, and keeps vomiting, my recommendation is to have Ellie seen by a vet immediately. The vet can do a physical exam, blood tests, a urinalysis, and possibly x-rays to diagnose what is causing her symptoms so she can be treated. She likely needs a shot to stop the vomiting, and IV fluids for hydration along with any other treatment the vet deems necessary. If she does have a pyometra, spaying her is one of the recommended treatments. Please take her into a vet ASAP.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our 2 year old, indoor cat is showing signs of anemia- lethargic, loss of appetite, no interest in playing. We have an appointment with a vet tomorrow afternoon. Is that too long to wait for her to be examined? Should we take her to an emergency hosp
If this has been going on for more than a few days it might be better to see an emergency veterinarian today, however if the symptoms are more recent you may be able to wait. If Greta's gums seem pale or she is having trouble breathing, or if she has a history of other medical problems it would also be better to have her seen today. Otherwise I think you can probably wait until tomorrow. Ultimately these symptoms are somewhat vague and can be a sign of a number of problems so you should go with your gut.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my name is Seleen, and I have a cat named mittens. Mittens was rescued a while ago from a house that was infested with fleas. Mittens was taken care of, and was healthy. All of a sudden, mittens stopped eating her food, drunk a lot of water, was
It sounds as Mittens is suffering from a severe gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. you must take her to the vet urgently, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have 2 indoor cats, I went away for the weekend have come back and thought that my youngest kitty had just had the ump as I was away but then she started being sick (I believe it was bile) she had stopped being sick but was refusing to eat, she ate
Since it has been a couple days, I think it would be best if she was examined by your vet. She could have an infection, parasite, gastritis/enteritis, metabolic/endocrine disease, or an obstruction. Your vet can run labwork and take xrays, if needed, to help diagnose and then prescribe medications to treat. Your vet can prescribe an anti-vomiting, gastric protectant, and give fluids to prevent dehydration. Hope she feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat who is 6 months old has been sick for the past 3 days. Throwing up, lethargic, not playful. Just laying around on her mommy or daddy. But will eat and drink.
Given the persistency of the signs I would recommend an immediate check up. These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why won’t my cat eat and is throwing up and really lethargic
I highly recommend taking Paraki to a veterinarian. He could have a foreign body, pancreatitis or even a virus. He needs supportive care and diagnostics to determine what is going on with him. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Food Cat Supplies Wet Cat Food Cat Medicine Vaccines and Shots for Cats Cat Laxatives Electrolytes for Cats Cat Health & Wellness Veterinary Diet Cat Food Cat Thyroid Medication Metoclopramide Cat Laxatives PancrePlus Cat Laxatives GastroGard Cat Laxatives Metoclopramide Cat Medicine PancrePlus Powder Cat Laxatives Pancreved Powder Cat Laxatives GastroGard Cat Medicine PancrePlus Cat Medicine Vet Worthy Cat Health & Wellness Lactated Ringers Electrolytes for Cats
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored