Yes, cats get diarrhea too, which is no fun for either you or your cat. The term “diarrhea” means unformed or loose stools, usually occurring in larger amounts and/or more often than usual. Diarrhea is not a disease itself but is a symptom of many different diseases or underlying conditions. Diarrhea can be associated with minor conditions that can be cleared up quickly, or may also be the result of serious or life-threatening illnesses. Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become serious if treatment is not begun early enough.
What is diarrhea?
Under normal conditions, water is absorbed through your cat’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract to be used within the body. When they have diarrhea, everything passes through too quickly, and excess water is expelled along with the waste products. Over time, this can cause dehydration. Vomiting, in addition to diarrhea, further accelerates dehydration. Dehydration causes electrolyte imbalances in the body, puts extra strain on the kidneys and can lead to organ failure and death.
What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?
There are several potential causes of diarrhea in cats, including:
- Dietary changes: Sudden changes in food, overeating, or consuming something inappropriate (such as table scraps or spoiled food) can upset a cat’s digestive system.
- Food intolerances or allergies: Some cats may be sensitive to certain ingredients in their food, such as dairy, grains, or specific proteins.
- Parasites: Internal parasites like worms (e.g., roundworms, hookworms) or protozoa (e.g., Giardia) can cause gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea.
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can lead to diarrhea in cats. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are two examples of viral infections that may cause digestive issues.
- Stress: Changes in a cat’s environment, such as moving to a new home, introducing a new pet, or experiencing anxiety, can result in stress-induced diarrhea.
- Medications: Certain medications, especially antibiotics, can disrupt the balance of bacteria in a cat’s gut and lead to diarrhea.
- Chronic conditions: Cats with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperthyroidism, or pancreatic insufficiency can experience chronic diarrhea.
If your cat has diarrhea for more than a day or two, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss, it’s important to consult with one of our veterinarians for diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing the Cause of Your Cat’s Diarrhea
Each of these diagnostic tools helps narrow down the potential causes of diarrhea and guide the treatment plan for your cat. Depending on the case, your veterinarian will decide which tests are most appropriate and will discuss the appropriate tools with you during your cat’s exam.
1. Physical Exam
The first step in diagnosing why your cat has diarrhea involves a detailed physical examination by one of our veterinarians. During the exam, we will ask about the cat’s medical history, diet, recent activities, and any other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss. A physical exam helps us assess your cat’s overall health, checking for signs of dehydration, abdominal pain, or other abnormalities.
2. Fecal Examination
- Fecal flotation or smear: A stool sample is tested to check for parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, or coccidia.
- Fecal culture: This test helps identify the presence of bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can cause infections.
- Fecal cytology: This allows the vet to examine cells from the intestines and can help detect inflammation or infections like Giardia.
3. Blood Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC can help assess the cat’s overall health and look for signs of infection, inflammation, anemia, or dehydration.
- Biochemical profile: This test provides information about liver and kidney function, blood sugar levels, and electrolyte imbalances.
- Thyroid function tests: Hyperthyroidism is a common cause of diarrhea in older cats, so thyroid levels may be checked.
4. Urinalysis
Urine analysis: This test can provide additional information about the cat’s kidney function and overall health, and help rule out systemic diseases that might be contributing to the diarrhea.
5. Imaging Studies
- Abdominal X-rays: These can help detect any blockages, foreign bodies, tumors, or abnormal fluid buildup in the intestines.
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound provides a more detailed view of the cat’s intestines and abdominal organs. It helps identify thickening of the intestines (which might indicate inflammatory bowel disease or cancer), masses, or abnormal fluid accumulations.
6. Endoscopy or Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy: A flexible camera (endoscope) is passed through the cat’s mouth or rectum to visualize the gastrointestinal tract. This allows the vet to take biopsies and inspect the lining of the stomach or intestines.
- Colonoscopy: If the problem seems to be lower in the intestines, a colonoscopy can be used to examine the large intestine and take tissue samples.
7. Biopsy
- If inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or other chronic conditions are suspected, tissue biopsies can be taken during an endoscopy or surgery to be examined microscopically.
8. Food Trials
- To rule out food allergies or intolerances, we may recommend a prescription diet or hypoallergenic food for several weeks to observe any changes in the cat’s symptoms.
10. Allergy Testing
- If food or environmental allergies are suspected, specialized allergy testing may be conducted to identify specific triggers.
Treatment
Once we have made a diagnosis, a targeted treatment plan will be developed to help your cat recover quickly and prevent future episodes of diarrhea. Please call us to schedule an appointment for your cat if he or she is experiencing episodes of diarrhea so that he or she can start feeling better soon.