Cat retching white froth - is it serious?

Q: Our cat retches repeatedly, bringing up white froth. He's a usually healthy outdoor cat, but has also stopped purring.

A: It sounds like a grass blade is lodged in your cat's pharynx, the opening between the oral and nasal cavity. Eating grass is normal in cats, but it sometimes gets caught between the two cavities, making the cat retch and cough. Sometimes the grass dislodges on its own, but if a cat continues to retch for more than a few hours, stops eating or has discharge from its nose, you need to take him to the vet. Under anaesthetic, your vet will retrieve the grass blade. With some anti-inflammatories, your cat should soon return to his purring best.

Scott Miller, vet