DIARRHEA IN CATS

Diarrhea in cats is one of the most frequently diagnosed digestive disorders that can be described as loose, wet, or more than usual number of stools. The primary reason for diarrhea is the small intestine’s inability to adequately absorb water and nutrients, which affects the stools water content. Mild diarrhea may resolve on its own or with supportive care, but persistent or severe diarrhea can lead to significant health complications.

Diarrhea is not a disease; rather, it is just a sign of something else. There can be many things that can cause diarrhea. A few examples would include diet, infection, parasites, food intolerance and chronic illness. The first thing you need to do is find out what is causing the diarrhea so you can treat the underlying cause.

Causes

There are many causes of diarrhea in cats. These can involve either the small intestine, the large intestine, or both.

The most common cause of diarrhea in cats is dietary. Sudden change in foods, spoiled foods, or inappropriate objects eaten, or food allergies/sensitivities can create a variety of digestive issues. Some cats have a sensitivity to ingredients found in commercial cat diets.

Another possible source of diarrhea includes infectious diseases. Bacteria, viruses and fungi may produce diarrhea. In addition to this, some of the most commonly encountered parasites that can cause diarrhea include Giardia, roundworms, hookworms and coccidia. This type of parasite is often found in young kittens and outdoor cats.

Additionally, other potential sources of diarrhea in cats can include IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), pancreatitis, liver disease, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and certain medicines. Cats experiencing stress may experience gastrointestinal upsets.

Symptoms

Some symptoms associated with diarrhea may depend on how serious they are and what they look like depending on the cause.

Common Symptoms

• Soft, loose and wet stools
• Frequent bowel movements
• Straining during defecation
• Frequent trips to the litter box
• Mucous present in stool

Signs of More Serious Disease

• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargic or Weakness
• Dehydration
• A poor coat condition in chronic diarrhea.

Risks

While mild diarrhea usually resolves on its own, if it persists or gets worse, diarrhea can have serious consequences.

Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the biggest dangers. Fluid loss from diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in kittens, senior cats, and cats with pre-existing medical conditions.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Because chronic diarrhea prevents nutrient absorption, weight loss, poor muscle tone and overall health problems develop.

Underlying Disease Progression

Prolonged diarrhea may also be indicative of serious diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Intestinal Cancer, Pancreatitis and Endocrine Disorders. If left untreated, these illnesses can continue to get progressively worse.

Diagnosis

To identify the cause of diarrhea, the vet needs to conduct a comprehensive medical exam.

The veterinarian will begin by reviewing the cat’s medical history, diet and duration of symptoms. The veterinarian will examine your cat to determine whether they’re hydrated enough, their body condition and to look at the state of your cat’s abdomen.

Diagnostic Tests

There could be several types of diagnostic testing that would need to occur, depending on what the veterinarian finds during his/her examination.

These would include:

• Fecal examination to verify there is no parasitic infection
• Blood tests to evaluate organ function, hydration status, inflammation, and overall health.
• Urine test
• X-ray or ultrasound imaging
• Additional gastrointestinal testing may be recommended to investigate causes such as inflammatory bowel disease, food responsive enteropathy or intestinal cancer.

If your cat has had chronic diarrhea for years, a biopsy of the small intestine may be necessary to rule out inflammatory bowel disease or another gastrointestinal disorder.

Treatment

Treatment for diarrhea will depend on what the underlying issue was and how severe it was.

Supportive Care

Most mild cases should improve once a new diet is implemented along with supportive care. Temporary feeding of an easily digestible diet will likely be suggested while making sure your cat is getting plenty of water. Your veterinarian may want to prescribe probiotic supplements to help maintain a healthy ratio of gut bacteria and promote digestion.

Medical Treatment

The appropriate medical treatment will depend on the individual case of diarrhea. These treatments could include:

• Medications used to kill worms for intestinal parasite infestation
• Anti-bacterial medication if your veterinarian feels it is needed.
• Nearly all cases of IBD are treated with anti-inflammatory medication.
• Treatment for food sensitivity or GI related illness
• Fluid therapy for dehydrated cats.

Prevention

A variety of methods can be employed to lower the incidence of diarrhea in cats, although it is impossible to prevent all instances of diarrhea.

Feeding a consistent, high quality, nutritionally balanced diet can help support digestive health. Therefore, when possible, sudden changes in diet should be avoided; additionally, cats should not be fed too many different types of new foods at one time.

A good way to prevent the onset of diarrhea is through consistent parasite control and scheduled veterinary visits so as to catch gastrointestinal issues early on. Cats should have access to clean drinking water and their eating habits should be kept away from spoiled food, trash, or poisonous substances.

Adhering strictly to the diet prescribed for cats that have been diagnosed with food allergies is also very important.