Causes Of Cat Diarrhea

Diarrhea is really a symptom of various diseases rather than a disease in and of itself. In most cases, mild bouts of diarrhea can be treated quickly with simple remedies. In extremely rare cases, cat diarrhea can be a symptom of a fatal disease, such as cancer. It is important to seek treatment quickly since even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses can lead to death because of severe fluid and nutrient losses.

You vet will try to classify the diarrhea as either a major problem or a minor problem. He or she will then determine the source of the diarrhea as a problem in the small intestine or large intestine. You will need to tell your vet how long the diarrhea has been a problem and if the cat has lost any weight.

What could cause your cat's diarrhea? Some risk factors include a sudden change in diet, exposure to other cats with contagious illnesses including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency, and travel to areas with an endemic fungal infection.

You may never notice when your cat develops diarrhea. With minor causes, the cat may only have loose stools with no other signs of illness. With a change in diet, this may happen and resolve itself as the cat adjusts to the new food. However, with major causes of diarrhea, the cat will be noticeably ill and showing other signs such as vomiting, dehydration, reduced appetite, stomach pain, fever, lethargy, and bloody and/or watery diarrhea.

Minor cases of diarrhea can be caused by stomach or intestinal viruses, intestinal parasites, eating garbage or other irritating materials, and sudden changes in diet. Major cases of diarrhea can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, neoplasia, fungal or bacterial infection, hyperthyroidism, and pancreatic failure. You vet will use fecal exams, physical exams, and maybe x-rays to determine the cause of your cat's diarrhea. If it seems to be a major issue, he or she will test for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency through blood tests. Depending on what the cause is, the vet will use drugs, diet change, or surgery to correct the problem.

With minor cases of diarrhea, the treatment will vary depending on the cause. The cat may need to be treated for worms. The vet may prescribe drugs to slow down the motility of the intestinal tract, or reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract. In some instances a home remedy of a special diet for a few days will resolve the cat's diarrhea problems. This less invasive approach lets the natural healing mechanisms of the cat's body to fix the problem on its own.

With major causes of diarrhea, the vet may need to fluid replacement, electrolyte replacement, and antibiotics to correct dehydration and infection problems. Treatment options after that will depend on which cause is at fault for the diarrheas.

Luckily, with minor cases of diarrhea, the cat should return to normal health within 2-4 days of treatment. With major causes, it may take longer to recover. In either case the vet will keep tabs on improvements until the diarrhea is resolved. Cat diarrhea can affect any cat from the domestic kitty to a Bengal tiger, so remember not to panic and just take the steps necessary to help get your cat back to normal health.

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