DIARRHEA
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the passage of feces as unformed or loose stools, usually in increased volume
and frequency of passage. It is a result of increased speed of passage of fecal material
(digested food) through the intestine combined with decreased absorption of water, nutrients
and electrolytes. There are many causes of diarrhea. Diarrhea may occur as the only sign or
in combination with other signs of more widespread disease, or with symptoms that result
from prolonged or severe diarrhea.
How can I tell if my cat has diarrhea?
If your normally well-trained cat suddenly starts having accidents around the house, and the
stools are unformed to fluid, then diarrhea is obvious. But if the cat is still using the litter box
and covering up its feces or defecates outdoors, it may be difficult to initially notice diarrhea.
Staining and soiling of the hair-coat around the back end in long-haired breeds is often
associated with diarrhea. It is important to remember that some variation in the consistency of
stools is not unusual. Changes in diet can lead to temporary changes in the stool. If frequent
liquid or semi-liquid stools persist for more than two days, you should consult your
veterinarian. If there are more general signs of illness in your cat, then call your veterinarian
immediately.
If you have more than one cat then it is important to try and determine if it is just one cat or if
other cats also have diarrhea.
What are some causes of diarrhea?
Diarrhea is not a disease in itself but a sign that may reflect one or more of many different
problems. Most involve some degree of inflammation of one or more sections of the
alimentary or gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. the GI tract is the continuous tube that carries food
from mouth to anus. Inflammation can be caused by infectious agents (bacteria, viruses,
coccidia, intestinal worms, etc.) or by non-infectious irritants such as chemical toxins,
poisonous plants, and so on. Allergies to certain specific components of a diet may be
responsible for diarrhea. Diarrhea may occur as a sole symptom or as one of several
symptoms of a more generalized disease problem.
How is the cause determined?
It is important to provide your veterinarian with a very good medical history. Preferably write
this out in chronological order before you go to the clinic. Be as detailed as possible on the
date you first noticed a problem, even in retrospect. Also report the progression of the clinical
signs. Note any changes in the normal routine of your cat or your household. How frequent
are the stools? What is the color, consistency, and smell of the feces? Is the cat showing any
other signs such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or loss of weight? We have a
checklist to help you put this history together.
Besides a thorough clinical exam, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic
tests. These tests may be deferred in mild cases of diarrhea unless initial treatment fails or
the condition worsens. Tests may include blood work, stool and/or rectal swab samples for
parasite examination and culture, radiographs, and endoscope exam.
How is diarrhea treated?
Initially, and often in advance of in-depth work-up, a non-specific approach may be adopted.
It is a good idea to withhold food for 24 hours and encourage water consumption. Gradually
re-introduce small quantities of a light, easily digestible diet. Boiled rice or other pasta with
some boiled skinless chicken may be given if a special veterinary diet is not available. Anti-
diarrheal medication(s) may be used to help speed your pet’s recovery. Many cases of
diarrhea will respond quite readily to simple treatment, without the initial cause ever being
established. As stools return to normal, the cat’s regular diet can be gradually reintroduced,
mixed initially with the bland rice-chicken or similar diet.
If there is little or no improvement over two or three days, if the cat is not taking any water or
if the cat’s health worsens, then your veterinarian should be notified at once. Treatment may
be more aggressive based on the results of an in-depth clinical work-up as outlined above.
Loss of fluid is one of the most serious aspects of severe or prolonged diarrhea, and if
vomiting is present, dehydration can rapidly escalate. Correcting the dehydration may require
intravenous or subcutaneous fluids.
Can I use anti-diarrheals from the human pharmacy?
Some of the preparations recommended for people are very dangerous for cats so never use
a medication without consulting your veterinarian first.
My cat has chronic diarrhea. Will it get better?
Chronic diarrhea that has been present for 2-3 weeks or longer may prove more difficult to
diagnose and to treat effectively. Even extensive work-up does not always provide a
definitive answer to the problem. But in many cases a thorough clinical work-up, including
food trials, can result in a successful outcome.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the passage of feces as unformed or loose stools, usually in increased volume
and frequency of passage. It is a result of increased speed of passage of fecal material
(digested food) through the intestine combined with decreased absorption of water, nutrients
and electrolytes. There are many causes of diarrhea. Diarrhea may occur as the only sign or
in combination with other signs of more widespread disease, or with symptoms that result
from prolonged or severe diarrhea.
How can I tell if my cat has diarrhea?
If your normally well-trained cat suddenly starts having accidents around the house, and the
stools are unformed to fluid, then diarrhea is obvious. But if the cat is still using the litter box
and covering up its feces or defecates outdoors, it may be difficult to initially notice diarrhea.
Staining and soiling of the hair-coat around the back end in long-haired breeds is often
associated with diarrhea. It is important to remember that some variation in the consistency of
stools is not unusual. Changes in diet can lead to temporary changes in the stool. If frequent
liquid or semi-liquid stools persist for more than two days, you should consult your
veterinarian. If there are more general signs of illness in your cat, then call your veterinarian
immediately.
If you have more than one cat then it is important to try and determine if it is just one cat or if
other cats also have diarrhea.
What are some causes of diarrhea?
Diarrhea is not a disease in itself but a sign that may reflect one or more of many different
problems. Most involve some degree of inflammation of one or more sections of the
alimentary or gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. the GI tract is the continuous tube that carries food
from mouth to anus. Inflammation can be caused by infectious agents (bacteria, viruses,
coccidia, intestinal worms, etc.) or by non-infectious irritants such as chemical toxins,
poisonous plants, and so on. Allergies to certain specific components of a diet may be
responsible for diarrhea. Diarrhea may occur as a sole symptom or as one of several
symptoms of a more generalized disease problem.
How is the cause determined?
It is important to provide your veterinarian with a very good medical history. Preferably write
this out in chronological order before you go to the clinic. Be as detailed as possible on the
date you first noticed a problem, even in retrospect. Also report the progression of the clinical
signs. Note any changes in the normal routine of your cat or your household. How frequent
are the stools? What is the color, consistency, and smell of the feces? Is the cat showing any
other signs such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or loss of weight? We have a
checklist to help you put this history together.
Besides a thorough clinical exam, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic
tests. These tests may be deferred in mild cases of diarrhea unless initial treatment fails or
the condition worsens. Tests may include blood work, stool and/or rectal swab samples for
parasite examination and culture, radiographs, and endoscope exam.
How is diarrhea treated?
Initially, and often in advance of in-depth work-up, a non-specific approach may be adopted.
It is a good idea to withhold food for 24 hours and encourage water consumption. Gradually
re-introduce small quantities of a light, easily digestible diet. Boiled rice or other pasta with
some boiled skinless chicken may be given if a special veterinary diet is not available. Anti-
diarrheal medication(s) may be used to help speed your pet’s recovery. Many cases of
diarrhea will respond quite readily to simple treatment, without the initial cause ever being
established. As stools return to normal, the cat’s regular diet can be gradually reintroduced,
mixed initially with the bland rice-chicken or similar diet.
If there is little or no improvement over two or three days, if the cat is not taking any water or
if the cat’s health worsens, then your veterinarian should be notified at once. Treatment may
be more aggressive based on the results of an in-depth clinical work-up as outlined above.
Loss of fluid is one of the most serious aspects of severe or prolonged diarrhea, and if
vomiting is present, dehydration can rapidly escalate. Correcting the dehydration may require
intravenous or subcutaneous fluids.
Can I use anti-diarrheals from the human pharmacy?
Some of the preparations recommended for people are very dangerous for cats so never use
a medication without consulting your veterinarian first.
My cat has chronic diarrhea. Will it get better?
Chronic diarrhea that has been present for 2-3 weeks or longer may prove more difficult to
diagnose and to treat effectively. Even extensive work-up does not always provide a
definitive answer to the problem. But in many cases a thorough clinical work-up, including
food trials, can result in a successful outcome.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| The Staff of the Animal Hospital of Fate |