Introduction
Treatment options for gastritis in cats include restricting food, avoiding contact with whatever caused the gastritis to develop in the first place, and in some cases prescription medications and supportive therapies.
Treating Gastritis in Cats
Acute or Mild Gastritis
Acute gastritis, and cases of mild gastritis, is usually treated by withholding food for at least 24 hours, and sometimes for up to 48 hours. This gives the cat’s stomach time to recover and heal from whatever was irritating it. Water is not withheld, but should be offered multiple times in small quantities. Cats with gastritis have a tendency to drink large amounts of water at one time, and this can cause further vomiting and irritation to the stomach.
Chronic or Severe Gastritis
In severe, or chronic, cases of gastritis finding out what is causing the gastritis to occur is important to the treatment. If the gastritis is being caused by bacteria, antibiotics will help to treat the condition. If the gastritis is being caused by an underlying medical condition, addressing this condition will help to resolve the gastritis symptoms that are occurring. Supportive therapies such as administering subcutaneous or intravenous fluids, in addition to subcutaneous or intravenous nutrition, may also be needed in severe gastritis conditions.
In cases where the gastritis is caused by an un-digested object or material in the cat’s stomach, surgery is the only treatment option.