Cat diarrhea is very similar to the one humans are afflicted with. It is an illness that causes an increase in the quantity of stool and also makes it runny. It might contain blood and/or mucus also and will appear to be yellowish and frothy. However, this is not the disease. It just indicates towards the actual disease which is the malfunction of the small or large or both intestines.
Diarrhea can be of two types: acute or chronic. If diarrhea afflicts for around 2 to 3 weeks then, it is acute. On the other hand, if it afflicts for more than 2 or 3 weeks then, it can be categorized under the chronic type.
Symptoms
Since there are two types of diarrheas, their symptoms also differ. Diarrhea related to the small intestine is detected if the cat excretes 2 to 3 times more in a day than the average. The quantity is also comparatively more and without any presence of mucus. The pressure to excrete may not increase much.
In large intestine diarrhea, the quantity of stool either remains the same or decreases. It may also be tainted with blood or mucus. The cat will need to pass stool more than 5 times a day than its average and the pressure increases.
Other indicators that a cat will show are an increased thirst, dehydration, depression and very less desire for food.
Causes
There are several causes that lead to diarrhea in cats. An obstruction in the cat’s digestive system in the form of a hairball or a foreign object may cause diarrhea. Colitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, liver disease, neoplasia and pancreatitis are some of the diseases that can cause diarrhea. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasites can also cause diarrhea in cats.
One of the causes of diarrhea may also be a change of diet. Cats have certain allergies and are intolerant to certain kinds of food. For instance, cats are generally lactose intolerant so a diet of dairy-related products may cause diarrhea too. Drugs or certain poisons that the cat might come in contact with can also cause diarrhea.
Verification of the Cause of Diarrhea
For the verification of the actual cause of diarrhea, you need to take your cat to the veterinary. He will carry out a full physical examination and ask you related questions that may indicate if the cat has acute or chronic diarrhea and if the cat has been exposed to certain things or a change of diet, etc. There are certain other tests that your vet might want to carry out. These include urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound and intestinal biopsy. Other than these tests, the veterinary might also suggest complete blood count or FIV and FeLV test to determine if the cat has a weak immune system. If the proof suggests that a parasite, bacterium or virus has caused the diarrhea, then fecal examination might be performed. The vet may also want to check the chemical profile of the cat to determine any kidney or liver disease, or pancreatitis, etc.
Treatment of Diarrhea
As diarrhea is caused by a number of factors, its treatment also varies with the cause.
If the diarrhea is acute, the solution might be in denying food for a day while keeping the supply of water intact. However, when you start feeding the cat again, make sure the food is bland for a few more days.
In case of an obstruction in the intestines, a surgery would be required to help the normal movement of food. All kinds of infections will be treated by respective antibiotics. The presence of parasites must be terminated by suitable medication that is advised by your vet. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance must also be treated if the situation necessitates it. For diseases like cancer, kidney disease, etc, specific treatments will be recommended by your veterinary
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