Diarrhea is loose or unformed stools, generally with increased frequency as well as quantity. It is an outcome of the rapid motion of fecal material via the intestine, along with the reduced absorption of electrolytes, nutrients, and water. Many cats experience a small period of diarrhea quite often, and the cause is an immediate change in food from one brand to another.
Remember that diarrhea is not an illness; instead, it is an indication of numerous other diseases. It might occur as one of multiple symptoms of a more serious issue or with indications that result from severe or extensive diarrhea.
What are the significant causes of diarrhea in cats?
Different infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, coccidia, and intestinal worms result in diarrhea in cats. In addition to this, some non-infectious agents like poisonous plants or chemical toxins are a few of the major causes of the disease.
Moreover, food sensitivity, changes in cats’ diet, or allergies to particular ingredients in food can also be a possible reason for diarrhea.
How do you assess if a cat has diarrhea?
If a properly trained cat suddenly begins to pass stool around the home and the stool is watery, then it is confirmed that she has diarrhea. But in case the cat is appropriately utilizing her litter box and hiding its feces or even if she defecates outside, you might not assess diarrhea at first.
Furthermore, soiling, as well as staining of the fur around the tail end in longhaired cats, are typically linked with diarrhea. It is significant to keep in mind that few changes in the consistency of stools take place in healthy felines. If regular semi-liquid or liquid stools continue for over two days, you need to contact your vet.
How do we determine the seriousness of diarrhea?
Suppose you are thinking about how severe your cat’s diarrhea is. In that case, it relies upon how long it has continued and also additional medical signs your feline has. Suppose a cat has bloody, severe diarrhea and presents more general indications of sickness like fever, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or dehydration. In that case, the issue can be severe, and health considerations must be sought immediately.
How does your vet diagnose the cause of cat diarrhea?
Your vet will identify the leading cause of diarrhea in your feline by going through the entire medical history and then doing a proper physical examination of your cat. Also, in some cases, your vet can take some samples for testing in the laboratory.
Treatment
If you have a healthy adult feline, your vet might recommend you not give her food for approximately 24 hours or give a veterinary diet in small quantities for any gastrointestinal issues.
This diet is particularly given with a proper balance of fibers that feed the right bacteria present in your cat’s intestines and with suitable antioxidants that sustain her immune system while she is getting better.
References
- https://www.fergusonanimalhospital.com/site/blog/2023/06/30/diarrhea-in-cats-common-causes-when-its-serious
- https://www.animalgeneralct.com/site/blog/2022/05/15/diarrhea-in-cats-common-causes-when-its-serious
