CATS · Real veterinary cases
My cat has been vomiting yellow foam for 3 weeks and stopped eating
A pet owner asked our search engine this exact question. We pulled 60 matching peer-reviewed veterinary case reports from our library of published veterinary papers. Here's what they say — in plain English, with citations.
Plain-English synthesis
## What these cases have in common The cases show a pattern of chronic vomiting in cats, often accompanied by symptoms like weight loss and loss of appetite. Common underlying issues include inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal tumors, and other gastrointestinal disorders. ## Treatments that worked - **Anti-inflammatory medications**: Used in cases of inflammatory bowel disease, this treatment was effective in 4 of 6 cases where it was applied. - **Dietary management**: Special diets tailored for gastrointestinal health were part of the treatment plan in 3 of 5 successful cases, helping to reduce symptoms. - **Surgery**: Surgical intervention, such as tumor removal, was performed in 2 cases and led to improved outcomes. ## Outcomes The treatments mentioned were successful in alleviating symptoms in a significant number of cases, particularly for inflammatory bowel disease and related gastrointestinal issues. However, some cases were unsuccessful, indicating that not all treatments work for every cat. ## Next step Bring these specific cases to your vet to discuss whether any sound like your pet's situation.
Conditions worth asking your vet about
These are the specific named diagnoses a vet would typically investigate for this presentation — not categories like “metabolic disorder”, but the actual conditions you can mention by name.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition where the cat's intestines become inflamed, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. It's a common cause of chronic vomiting in cats and can cause a lack of appetite due to discomfort. Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other causes and may require endoscopy and biopsy.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function over time, common in older cats. It can cause vomiting, decreased appetite, and weight loss due to toxin buildup in the blood. Blood tests and urinalysis are used to diagnose CKD.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, leading to increased metabolism. While it often causes weight loss with a good appetite, it can also cause vomiting and decreased appetite in some cats. Blood tests for thyroid hormone levels confirm the diagnosis.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and anorexia in cats. It's often difficult to diagnose and may require specific blood tests like feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI).
Alimentary lymphoma
Alimentary lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting the gastrointestinal tract in cats. It can cause chronic vomiting, weight loss, and anorexia. Diagnosis typically involves imaging and biopsy of the affected tissues.
Gastric foreign body
A gastric foreign body occurs when a cat ingests something that becomes lodged in the stomach, causing vomiting and anorexia. This is more common in curious cats and may require imaging like X-rays or ultrasound for diagnosis.
Easily confused with: Food responsive enteropathy · Cholangitis · Constipation/megacolon · Chronic pancreatitis
Real peer-reviewed cases
Each link below opens the full PetCaseFinder write-up of a published case report. Bring any of these to your next vet visit — they're the kind of citation a vet will recognise.
#1 match
Chronic vomiting associated with a gastric carcinoid in a cat.Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association · 2002 · United States
A senior domestic shorthair cat was brought in because it had been vomiting for a long time. During the examination, the vet found signs of chronic kidney disease, which was confirmed by blood tests and a urinalysis. A biopsy taken from the stomach during an endoscopy suggested the presence of a carcinoid tumor, which is a type of tumor that can occur in the stomach. The cat then underwent surgery to remove part of its stomach, and tests on the removed tissue confirmed the tumor diagnosis. After the surgery, the cat did well and showed no signs of stomach problems for four months, but later it needed treatment for worsening kidney issues.
Read the full case →#2 match
Chronic Vomiting in Cats: Etiology and Diagnostic Testing.Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association · 2016 · United States
Chronic vomiting in cats is a frequent issue that veterinarians encounter. When a cat is brought in for vomiting, it's important to tell the difference between vomiting and other problems like regurgitation or difficulty swallowing. There are many possible reasons for a cat to vomit regularly, so gathering a thorough history and conducting careful tests are essential to find the cause and decide on the best treatment. Some common causes of chronic vomiting include inflammatory bowel disease (a condition where the intestines become inflamed), food allergies, issues with how the stomach moves food, tumors, and diseases affecting organs outside the digestive system, like kidney or liver problems and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).
Read the full case →#3 match
Hypereosinophilic syndrome in two cats.The Journal of veterinary medical science · 2008 · Japan
Two cats were experiencing ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Tests showed they had a high number of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils, which led to a diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome (a condition where there are too many eosinophils in the body). Despite treatment with chemotherapy and steroids, both cats unfortunately passed away 48 and 91 days after their symptoms first appeared.
Read the full case →#4 match
Feline Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery · 2012 · United States
Feline idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in cats that causes ongoing problems in the digestive system, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. This disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine, and may also involve inflammation in other organs like the pancreas and liver, which can make the cat feel worse. The exact causes of IBD are not fully understood, but it seems to involve a mix of genetic factors and bacteria in the gut. Diagnosing IBD usually requires taking a small tissue sample from the intestines to see what type of inflammation is present and to rule out other conditions, such as a type of cancer called alimentary lymphoma. The article aims to help veterinarians stay updated on the latest information about diagnosing and treating this condition in cats.
Read the full case →#5 match
Intestinal T-cell lymphoma with severe hypereosinophilic syndrome in a cat.The Journal of veterinary medical science · 2012 · Japan
An 8-year-old Japanese domestic long-hair cat was brought to the vet because it was vomiting and had blood in its stool. Tests showed that the cat had a high number of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils. Initially, the cat was treated with a medication called prednisolone and seemed to be doing okay, but after about 17 months, it started vomiting blood, lost weight, and stopped eating. Unfortunately, the cat developed a serious condition where the intestine ruptured and passed away shortly after. The final examination confirmed that the cat had intestinal T-cell lymphoma (a type of cancer) along with severe hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Read the full case →
Your pet's case is probably already published.
PetCaseFinder reads thousands of peer-reviewed veterinary case reports and translates the relevant ones into plain English. Type your pet's exact symptoms and we'll surface the published cases that match — with citations you can bring to your vet.
Run a personalised search →Frequently asked questions
What does My cat has been vomiting yellow foam for 3 weeks and stopped… usually mean in cats?
Published veterinary case reports most often link this presentation to: Inflammatory bowel disease, Chronic kidney disease, Hyperthyroidism. Your vet may also rule out other causes depending on age, breed, and history — this page is a research aid, not a diagnosis.
How many real cases did PetCaseFinder find?
We surfaced 60 peer-reviewed case reports from our library of published veterinary case reports. The top matches are listed above with full citations.
Is this veterinary advice?
No. PetCaseFinder surfaces published veterinary research so you can have a better-informed conversation with your own veterinarian. Always confirm any diagnosis or treatment with a licensed vet who can examine your pet.