Ask a PetDoc: Cat that throws up every day, on dexamethasone

Written by Jonathan Baker

Question: Cat that throws up every day, on dexamethasone

Hi Dr. Jim,

I have one cat out of my 3 that has been sick for more than 6 months. My veterinarian keeps drawing blood then puts her on dexamethasone. With that she puts on some weight. My veterinarian asked that after a while I treat her every other day. She throws up on the other day so I came up with cutting them in half (treating her every day). We have put her on sensitive stomach food and she likes it and I think it helps. My husband gets worried about what will happen if she is on this medication for so long and could she be put on something else.

Thanks,
Chris

Dr. Jim says:

Chris,

I must first caution you about the use of the dexamethasone – follow the directions provided by your veterinarian to the “T”. Failure to reduce the dosage in a stepwise fashion could lead to serious problems for your cat. This same caution holds true for orally administered steroids.

It is highly possible that your kitty has a food allergy or hypersensitivity problem. The effects of the dexamethasone and the sensitive stomach suggest this. You and your veterinarian may not have not gone far enough in determining the cause of the sensitivity. There are some very good diets that use ingredients not found in grocery store cat food brands. There are even diets that consist of green peas and duck or rabbit or venison that are complete and balanced nutrition for the cat.

You could also make your own elimination diet, but this is a chore. First you would need to decide on a protein source different from what is in the food you currently feed, like white fish, rabbit, etc. Next would be to determine an energy source, like peas or potatoes. Since cats have some specific nutrient requirements that require the nutrients from animal sources, like taurine, you would need to make sure that is contained in the diet. Then come the remainder of the vitamins and minerals.

If you are concerned about the direction the treatment and results are going you should consider getting a second opinion from a veterinarian who specializes in cats.

Dr. James Sokolowski, DVM, PhD is a veterinarian with 40 years in the pet industry. He has appeared extensively on radio and TV including CNN, Fox, ABC and other national and local radio and TV programs. Dr. Sokolowski is a recipent of veterinary professional awards for his contributions to the veterinary profession. Read his full bio here.

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