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Diarrhea is the passage of frequent watery stools, not only are stools watery, but there is also an increased volume output. It is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of an underlying disease, problem. The cause is an excessive amount of water in the faeces, which may have several causes. It can affect the small intestine, the large intestine or both. It can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea lasts less than 2 - 3 weeks & chronic greater than 2 - 3 weeks. [1] Blood may or may not be present in the faeces, as well as mucous. They may also be yellowy & or frothy in appearance. What causes diarrhea?- Blockage (hairball or foreign object)
- Colitis.
- Diet: There are several diet related possibilities. A sudden switch in your cat's food can cause diarrhea. Food allergies & food intolerances may also cause diarrhea. Cows milk or dairy products being a common cause as many cats are lactose intolerant. Other foods may also cause a food intolerance in your cat.
- Drugs or toxins (plants, poisons etc).
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Hyperthyroidism
- Infection: Bacterial (Salmonella, Campylobacter), viral (FIV, FeLV, Panleukopenia, Rotavirus), protozoal (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), parasitic (cat worms).
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- Neoplasia (lymphoma, carcinoma & others).
- Pancreatitis.
What are the symptoms of diarrhea?Small intestine diarrhea: Volume is increased, frequency 2-3 times normal, no mucous, urgency may be normal to mildly increased. [2] Large intestine diarrhea: Volume is normal to decreased, mucus & blood may be present, urgency is increased & frequency is more than 5 times normal. [3] Other symptoms include;- Loss of appetite.
- Depression.
- Dehydration.
- Increased thirst due to fluid loss.
How is the cause of diarrhea determined?Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your cat & ask you some questions to determine if the diarrhea is acute or chronic, if there have been any changes to your cat's diet, possible exposure to toxins etc. Tests will vary depending on other symptoms your cat is displaying, some tests your veterinarian may wish to perform include; - Fecal examination to determine if the cause is parasitic, bacterial, protozoal.
- FIV & FeLV tests.
- Complete blood count.
- Chemical profile to check for liver disease, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism etc.
- Urinalysis.
- X-Rays.
- Ultrasound.
- Intestinal biopsy.
How is diarrhea treated?Treatment naturally depends on the cause of diarrhea. If the diarrhea is acute, and the cat seems otherwise fit & well, your veterinarian may choose to withhold food for a day or so. Water is still to be provided. After the fasting period, food may be re-introduced but this will usually need to be bland for a few more days. - Treat dehydration & electrolyte imbalance if necessary.
- Treat parasites.
- Treat protozoal infections.
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections.
- Anti diarrhea medications.
- Surgery may be required if the cause is an obstruction.
- More specific treatments will be required for other causes such as hyperthyroidism, cancer, kidney disease etc.
Your veterinarian may recommend your cat be fed Hills I/D for a short period. Hills I/D is low in fat, highly digestible. It is specially designed for cats with gastrointestinal disorders.
References:[1] [2] [3] The Feline Patient - Gary D. Norsworthy, Mitchell A. Crystal, Sharon K. Fooshee & Larry P. Tilley.
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