How is gastritis diagnosed?

“If the gastritis is chronic, more involved testing will be undertaken.”

Tests for gastritis may include blood tests, urinalysis, abdominal x-rays, abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy. In acute cases, only minimal diagnostics such as blood and urine tests are required. If the gastritis is chronic, more involved testing will be undertaken to determine the exact cause of your cat’s vomiting

How is gastritis treated?

Treatment is based on the specific cause. Most acute cases resolve without medical intervention.

Non-medical treatment guidelines for acute gastritis include:

  • Withhold food for 24 to 48 hours
  • Offer small amounts of water frequently during the first 24 hours. (If fluids cannot be given orally without inducing vomiting, seek immediate veterinary treatment)
  • If there is no vomiting for 24 hours, feed a small amount of a highly-digestible, low-fat food
  • Resume feeding with small meals given frequently (usually about ½ of the normal daily amount of food, divided into 4-6 meals)
  • Gradually increase the amount of food over the next two to three days
  • If vomiting returns, notify your veterinarian

Medical treatment for cats with gastritis may include:

  • Gastrointestinal protectants – such as sucralfate
  • Anti-emetic or anti-vomiting medications – such as metoclopramide
  • H2 receptor antagonists – used when stomach ulcers are suspected – examples include cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine or famotidine
  • Proton pump inhibitor – such as omeprazole – used in severe cases with stomach ulceration

What is the prognosis for gastritis?

The prognosis is good for cases of acute gastritis. For chronic gastritis, the prognosis is based on the exact underlying cause.

Author: Ernest Ward, DVM. © Copyright 2009 Lifelearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.