Third Street
Veterinary Hospital, PC
McMinnville, Oregon 97128
Office phone: (503) 472-9418
Diarrhea
in Cats
Diarrhea is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many
different diseases. Many mild cases of
diarrhea can be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Rarely, diarrhea is the result of a fatal
illness, such as cancer. Even diarrhea
caused by mild illnesses may result in death if treatment is not begun early
enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.
We attempt to classify each case of diarrhea as either a
major problem or a minor problem and localize the source of the diarrhea to the
small intestine or large intestine (or both).
It is important to determine how long the diarrhea has been present and
whether the cat has lost weight with the diarrhea. We use all of the information gathered to formulate a plan for
diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Some potential risk factors for diarrhea include dietary
indiscretion, exposure to cats with certain illnesses, a positive status for
feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus, and travel to areas of
endemic fungal infection.
With minor causes of diarrhea, the cat may have no signs of
illness other than the loose stool.
Major causes of diarrhea result in the cat being visibly ill
and exhibiting several, but usually not all, of the following:
1. Vomiting
2. Dehydration
3. Loss of appetite
4. Abdominal pain
5. High fever
6. Lethargy
7. Bloody and/or watery diarrhea
Minor causes of diarrhea include
1. Stomach or
intestinal viruses
2. Intestinal
parasites
3. Dietary
indiscretions (such as eating garbage or other offensive or irritating
materials).
Major causes of diarrhea may include
1. Inflammatory
bowel disease
2. Neoplasia
3. Fungal or
bacterial infection
4. Hyperthyroidism
5. Loss of
pancreatic function
If your cat does not exhibit the clinical signs of a major
cause of diarrhea, we classify it as a minor cause. A minimum number of tests
are performed to rule out common causes of minor diarrhea. These may include a physical examination,
fecal exam for parasites, and possibly an x-ray.
For cats that are visibly ill with diarrhea (major case),
diagnostic procedures are usually implemented quickly. We perform a series of tests that allow us
to make a diagnosis so that specific treatment may be initiated. These tests may include tests for feline
leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, radiography (x-rays) with or
without barium, blood tests, stool cultures, biopsies of the intestinal tract,
thyroid profiles, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once a specific diagnosis is made, treatment may include special
medications and/or diets, or surgery.
With minor cases of diarrhea, treatment may be geared toward
one or more of the common causes of uncomplicated diarrhea. Even with negative fecal examinations, many
cats with uncomplicated diarrhea are routinely dewormed. Other therapies often include drugs to
control the motility of the intestinal tract, medications that relieve
inflammation in the intestinal tract and, often a special diet for a few days.
This approach allows the body's healing mechanisms to correct the problem.
With major causes of diarrhea, initial therapy may be
supportive; this would include fluid replacement, electrolyte replacement, and
perhaps antibiotics. Additional therapy
will depend upon the diagnosis.
With minor (uncomplicated) cases of diarrhea, we expect
improvement within 2-4 days of initiating therapy. If this does not occur, a change in medication or additional
testing may be needed to further define possible causes. Please keep us informed of lack of expected
improvement so that we may manage the situation properly.
Some of the bacterial and parasitic causes of diarrhea are
infectious to humans. If any members of
your household are also experiencing diarrhea, it is important to let us
know. This will allow the veterinarian
and physician to work together in managing potentially infectious causes of
diarrhea.
Preventive measures are directed toward the specific
diagnosis.
1. How long has the diarrhea been present?
2. Is the diarrhea more severe now than a few days ago?
3. Circle the letter of each item that applies:
Consistency
a. Watery
stool
b. Stool is
about the thickness of pancake batter or pudding
Blood
c. Very bloody stool
d. Only sporadic blood present
e. Blood not present in stool
f. Bright red blood present
g. Dark, tarry blood present
Degree/Frequency
h. Entire
stool is soft or watery
I. Only
portions of the stool are soft or watery
j. Diarrhea
with each bowel movement
k. Diarrhea
is sporadic (some bowel movements are normal)
l. Only 1 or 2 bowel movements per day
m. More than 4 bowel movements per day
Color
n. Stool is dark brown in color
o. Stool is very pale in color
p. Stool is black and tarry in appearance
Miscellaneous
q. Thick mucus or pieces of tissue present in
stool
r. Loss of bowel control (defecates in the house
on the floor)
s. Severe straining when having a bowel movement
Is your cat's appetite normal? If not, is it eating at all?
What have you been feeding your cat during the last
week? (Include dog or cat foods,
treats, table foods, milk, and anything else that it gets on a daily
basis. Also state what percentage of
the diet is each item or category.)
Does your cat have access to foods other than what you feed
it? If so, what?
Has there been a significant diet change in the last few
weeks? If so, does that correspond with
the onset of the diarrhea?
Is your cat as active as normal?
Describe any change in water consumption (increased or
decreased).
Has vomiting been occurring? If so, how frequently and for how long?
Does your cat go outside your house? If so, does the cat go outside the yard?
Does your cat have access to garbage cans, either within
your house or yard or outside your yard?
Does your cat have play-toys that could have been swallowed?
Does your cat have access to sewing materials, such as
thread or needles, or rubber bands, or string?
Do you have other dogs or cats that live with this one? If so, does the other pet have diarrhea?
Do any of the members of your family currently have a
diarrhea problem?
At what phone number may we reach you or your spouse today
if we need further information?