Cat Diarrhoea

One of the most common problems in cats is diarrhea, the elimination of watery, runny. or soft stools. Usually, the condition lasts for only twenty-four to thirty-six hours, and home treatment is fine unless diarrhea persists and your pet gets severely listless. If your cat has bright red blood in the stools; black, tarry stools; severe abdominal pain; or fever; or if it persistently vomits or attempts to vomit, see your veterinarian promptly.

Sometimes medication such as antibiotics can change the number and kind of bacteria that normally live in your pet’s intestines. This can cause diarrhea. If your cat is on medication, call your veterinarian.

Many cats do not have enough of an enzyme called lactase, which breaks up a large sugar molecule in milk called lactose. Consequently, the lactose “pulls” water into the intestinal tract to soften the stools.

Very often diarrhea is caused by a diet that is. by eating “exotic” things, such as garbage. tin foil, candy, the family’s table food (especially spicy foods), and bones. Excess fat in the diet, or sudden pet-food changes, can sometimes cause diarrhea as well.

• Worms and other intestinal parasites can irritate the intestine and cause diarrhea that is sometimes bloody.
• Kittens with diarrhea may quickly develop severe fluid loss. Be sure to maintain adequate fluid intake.
• However, neither is a common cause of diarrhea. Any cat over seven years of age with diarrhea should be checked for hyperthyroidism.

Cat Diarrhoea Home Remedies

You can manage diarrhea by changing the diet and giving Kaopectate to coat the intestinal tract and firm the stools.

Except for kittens, who have only a small caloric reserve, no food should be given for twenty-four hours. Do not take away water.

After the one-day fast, you can give small, frequent feedings (four to five small meals) of boiled hamburgers or chicken with boiled rice for four or five days. Cooked eggs and cottage cheese can then be added. Be sure to bring the food to room temperature before feeding, because food that is too hot or too cold can cause diarrhea. The small, frequent feedings give the intestine enough time to digest the food. Over the next few days, mix this diet with an increasing amount of your cat’s regular food.

If diarrhea persists beyond forty-eight hours, contact your veterinarian.

Cat Diarrhoea Treatment

The doctor will conduct a complete physical exam, paying particular attention to the abdomen. Blood tests, a fecal exam, and a urinalysis may be needed if an infectious (panleukopenia) or systemic (kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, pancreatitis) disease is suspected. An X-ray, barium series, ultrasound, and endoscopy may be necessary to define the area of inflammation or intestinal obstruction (such as string or a rubber ball). Sometimes, intussusception (telescoping of a loop of the bowel into the adjacent loop of the bowel) is obstructing the digestive tract. Intestinal obstruction is not uncommon in kittens and usually requires surgery. Tumors of the intestinal tract in cats can be seen in lymphosarcoma.

If your cat is dehydrated, intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may be required.

Your cat should also be checked for giardia. campylobacter, FTLV, feline leukemia virus, cryptosporidium, and toxoplasmosis if its diarrhea does not respond to treatment or recurs. These diseases are being seen more often.

Prevention

• Do not give your cat table food (especially spicy food) or milk if it causes loose stools. Do not feed it bones. They serve no use-
• full purpose but they do splinter, and the razor-sharp pieces can cut or perforate the intestines.
• Have your veterinarian check your cat’s stool samples for worm eggs often -, particularly at vaccination time.
• Do not let your cat play with yarn, string, or any toys they can chew up or swallow. These can cause fatal intestinal blockage.
• Keep all toxic chemicals and plants out of your cat’s way.

Cats that run loose, unsupervised, can get into the garbage, poisons, and other disease-causing snacks. You can avoid these situations by confining your pet indoors. House cats have less of a chance of finding dangerous things to eat.

See more: Cat Increased Water Intake