Vet Diagnosing Cat's Gastrointestinal Infection Online

Hi! I'm sorry to hear that. Let me get some details before the vet can advise. What breed, age and weight is your cat?01:10

Thanks. A few more questions — any vomiting, diarrhea or changes in drinking/urination? Is she current on vaccinations?01:10

Last question — do you have pet insurance with us? Just need to verify your file so we can check coverage01:10

Great, I see your file — Luna, 3yo tabby, correct? Your plan covers the exam, blood work and X-rays with a $50 copay. Diagnostics and medication would be at 80% coverage after deductible. Let me have the vet tech ask a few more clinical questions01:10

Hi, this is Sarah the vet tech. A couple more things — did she get into anything unusual? Human food, houseplants, cleaning products, anything like that? And when exactly did she last eat normally?01:10

That's very likely the cause. The timeline fits — ingesting something spoiled from the trash triggering GI upset. Dr. Martinez recommends bringing her in today for blood work and an X-ray to rule out a foreign body or infection. Can you come in this afternoon?01:10

We have a 2:30 slot open. When you arrive check in at the front desk and mention you spoke with us on WhatsApp — we'll get you straight into an exam room01:10

Just Luna and her vaccination records if you have them handy. Don't feed her anything before the visit but she can have small amounts of water01:10

Hi! Dr. Martinez here with Luna's results. The good news is the X-ray didn't show any foreign body or blockage. Blood work came back with elevated white blood cells and slightly high liver enzymes, consistent with a gastrointestinal infection — most likely from whatever she ate out of that trash01:10

She's going to be fine! The liver enzymes are only mildly elevated, not something we're alarmed about at this level. We've started her on antibiotics and a GI protectant. I'm sending you home with a 10-day course of metronidazole and sucralfate, plus a prescription GI diet for the next week01:10

Metronidazole is generally well tolerated in cats. The most common side effect is mild drooling or foaming at the mouth because it tastes bitter — you can give it in a pill pocket to mask it. In rare cases you might see vomiting. If she vomits within 30 minutes of taking the pill, give it with a small amount of the prescription food next time. If vomiting persists beyond two doses, call us01:10

Keep her on the prescription Hill's GI Biome for at least 7 days. Feed small meals — a tablespoon every 3-4 hours rather than her usual two bigger meals. After 7 days you can start transitioning back to her regular food over 5-6 days, mixing increasing amounts each day01:10

Keep her calm for 3 days — no vigorous play, no chasing toys. Her GI tract needs to heal without the physical stress. After day 3 if she's eating well and no more vomiting, you can gradually resume normal play01:10

Red flags to watch for: vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds, bloated or hard abdomen, unable to keep water down for 6+ hours, bloody diarrhea, or hiding more than usual and not responding to you. Any of those — bring her in immediately or go to the emergency vet if we're closed01:10

No need for a scheduled follow-up unless symptoms persist. I'll check in with you in two weeks to make sure everything's back to normal. In the meantime if you have any questions about the medication or her recovery, don't hesitate to message us here01:10

That's great to hear! Cats bounce back fast, she'll be back to her usual self in no time. I'm sending the discharge summary and medication instructions to your email — easy reference if you need it01:10

We know you will! Talk soon01:10

Hi! Just checking in on Luna — it's been two weeks since her visit. How's she doing?01:10

Ha! Classic cat behavior. No more kitchen trash raids I hope?01:10

That's what we're here for. Glad Luna is doing great. See you at the annual checkup in August!01:10