Representing the first major organ of digestion in the cat, and has numerous functions. The muscular action of the stomach causes mechanical breakdown of food boluses to progressiv... Representing the first major organ of digestion in the cat, and has numerous functions. The muscular action of the stomach causes mechanical breakdown of food boluses to progressively smaller particles before duodenal digestion and absorption. Meanwhile, the glandular portion of the stomach produces gastric acid, a family of proteinase precursors, the pepsinogens, and gastric lipase. Protection of the gastric mucosa from the damaging effects of gastric acid, proteinases and lipase relies on the gastric mucosal barrier, which is made up of a layer of mucus, the epithelial cell membranes and a specialised local circulation. Rapid epithelial cell turnover, secretion of bicarbonate ions, rapid clearance of hydrogen ions that have back-diffused into the mucosa and the synthesis of prostaglandins are important in the regulation and normal function of the gastric mucosal barrier. Gastric acid production and motility are controlled by paracrine and endocrine mechanisms and the autonomic nervous system. Disorders of acid production, loss of the protective mucous layer, disturbed gastric motility or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system may all be associated with a risk of gastric mucosal damage. The hallmark sign of gastric disease, particularly gastric mucosal disease, is vomiting. Although vomiting is a hallmark sign of gastric disease, it is not specific to gastric disease, and numerous other medical disorders are associated with vomiting in the cat. Clinical examination and evaluation of the stomach can proceed through abdominal radiography, endoscopy and ultrasonography. Radiographic studies using contrast media yield information regarding gastric mucosal thickness, the presence of masses or radiolucent foreign bodies. Scintigraphy is the gold standard method of assessing gastric emptying. Read more