Even cats can suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal disease (GERD).
As I watched our cat Cici groom herself, I noticed something was wrong. She seemed to be pawing her mouth rather than licking her foot. Suddenly she shook her head and a trickle of saliva hissed through the air. Then she squatted down and started coughing. I was surprised to say the least, especially since Cici repeated these actions several times under my gaze.
A number of things crossed my mind as to the possible cause of Cici’s alarming behavior. Something stuck in his mouth or throat? Was she choking? Did her teeth bother her? Was it a hairball? Had she ingested anything toxic?
All of this could have caused what I was witnessing. For example, drooling and pawing at the mouth can be signs of oral pain and discomfort caused by advanced periodontal disease. A hairball can cause coughing and drooling, just like a foreign body lodged in the throat. Drooling can also mean nausea or even mouth cancer. The only way to be sure is to take the cat to the vet, which I did with Cici.
A diagnosis of GERD
An X-ray revealed that Cici suffered from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is caused by a backup of gastric fluids in the esophagus. Although veterinarians aren’t sure what exactly causes it, one theory is that cats with GERD have a weak esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps stomach acids and food from backing up into the esophagus. GERD is very uncomfortable for the cat and in addition to the symptoms of drooling, coughing and difficulty swallowing, they may vomit more than normal, lose their appetite and lose weight.
Food is key
Because my current vet is conventional, Cici was prescribed medication including a stomach acid blocker and an antibiotic to soothe and protect the lining of the esophagus. However, I wanted to take a more integrative approach, so I did some additional research and learned that diet is the main key to managing GERD in cats.
Always visit the vet
Since many other conditions can give rise to the same or similar symptoms as GERD, it’s important to get your cat to the vet as soon as possible, especially since anything that causes him to drool, cough, vomiting or leaving his food must cause him considerable discomfort. “If you notice a change in your cat’s usual behavior or activity level, always take him in immediately for a checkup,” says veterinarian Dr. Stefani Schwartz.
“I recommend a fresh, organic, nutritionally balanced, whole-food species-appropriate diet supplemented with specially selected organic herbs and nutraceuticals to treat and remedy the symptoms of GERD,” says Integrative Veterinarian Dr. Karen Rosenfeld . She adds that low-quality commercial foods and treats can make GERD even worse, and that a homemade diet is best for cats with the condition. His suggestion is to feed the cat lean ground meat from organic pasture-fed animals and add kefir, fresh sauerkraut, or even natural honey to help soothe the lining of the esophagus. (Note: Before transitioning a cat to a homemade diet, it is extremely important to work with a veterinarian familiar with feline nutrition, to prevent deficiencies and other issues.) “Four to six small meals should be provided daily – no large individual portions and no free food,” adds Dr. Rosenfeld.
Along with a proper diet, Dr. Rosenfeld recommends a few additional ways to help relieve GERD. “Don’t let your cat be over-vaccinated and use truly natural solutions for oral, coat and skin care. Avoid unnecessary use of conventional medications such as antibiotics, antacids, and insect and pest preventatives.
Although Cici temporarily lost her voice due to acid reflux, she was as good as before when she returned. We’ve learned that the best way to manage her GERD is to feed her a healthy, natural diet and monitor her for any signs of discomfort.
For more information:
aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/vomiting
hillviewvet.com/2013/09/01/acid-reflux-in-cats
ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2013/12/acid-reflex-gerd-indogs-cats-natural.html
petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_gastroesophageal_reflux
petmeds.org/petmeds-spotlight/fascinating-feline-facts-catsaliva/#.U_s0s2d0xLM
