Introduction

Gastritis refers to inflammation of the lining of the stomach and is among the most common stomach disorders in cats and dogs. Gastritis in cats is normally diagnosed based upon the animal’s history, clinical signs, physical examination findings and response to treatment. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means ruling out other causes of the associated vomiting and discomfort. In chronic or severe cases of gastritis, blood tests, radiographs (x-rays), and biopsy of the tissue lining the stomach may be necessary to conclusively arrive at a diagnosis.

Diagnosing Gastritis in Cats

Gastritis can be chronic or acute. Most acute cases of gastritis in cats are caused by food poisoning, overeating or bacterial or viral infections. Affected animals suffer severe abdominal pain and intermittent bouts of vomiting. Most acute cases resolve through a response to treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend withholding food and giving anti-inflammatory medications even before a conclusive diagnosis is made. Most cats with acute dietary gastritis will improve relatively quickly with this simple medical management.

Cats with severe or chronic gastritis will need to undergo further diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the condition. Blood tests can help rule out systemic disease, and radiographs or ultrasound can be used to identify obstructions, tissue thickening and inflammation of the digestive tract. In cases where non-invasive treatments are not improving the cat’s clinical condition, the veterinarian may recommend surgical examination of the stomach and tissue biopsies for microscopic examination and culture. The stomach can be explored and biopsied through an endoscopic procedure while the cat is sedated.