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Diarrhea in Cats
What is Diarrhea?
It is important to discover the underlying cause of your cat's diarrhea and treat it accordingly to prevent your cat from becoming dehydrated. If the diarrhea lasts for more than two days, you should have your cat examined by your veterinarian.
Diarrhea can occur in both indoor and outdoor cats as well as cats of all ages. It is critical that you seek prompt treatment for your cat's diarrhea if your pet displays other signs of illness like dehydration, weight loss, or pain. You should avoid using home remedies for severe cases of diarrhea unless recommended by your veterinarian.
Diarrhea in cats is a condition that is hallmarked by loose or liquid stools. It may be caused by something as mild as a dietary change or something as serious as cancer or a parasitical infection.
Diarrhea Average Cost
From 412 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$300
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Symptoms of Diarrhea in Cats
Cats that are suffering from diarrhea may exhibit symptoms like:
- Loose or liquid bowel movements
- Increased flatulence
- Straining while defecating
- Blood or mucus in feces
- Dehydration
- Decreased appetite
Types
Diarrhea in cats can be either mild or severe. Mild diarrhea generally resolves itself in one or two days' time. However, severe cases of feline diarrhea typically lasts longer than two days and can be accompanied by symptoms that include:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Increased urgency to use the litter box
- Meowing or crying in pain
If your cat displays any of the symptoms of severe diarrhea, you should have it examined immediately by your veterinarian.
Causes of Diarrhea in Cats
A variety of factors can lead to mild or severe diarrhea in cats. Mild feline diarrhea may be caused by:
- Dietary changes
- Intolerance to certain foods
- Eating spoiled food
- Food allergies
- Medication side effects
Severe cases of diarrhea in cats may be caused by more serious health complications or underlying conditions like:
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Parasites like roundworms, coccidia, or Giardia
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cancer or tumors in the digestive tract
- Colitis
- Hyperthyroidism
Feline diarrhea that is caused by underlying health conditions or illnesses generally will not resolve itself. It may worsen and cause your cat to decline rapidly without proper veterinary care.
Diagnosis of Diarrhea in Cats
Your veterinarian may conduct a variety of tests to determine why your cat is suffering from diarrhea. The most common test involves taking a stool sample from your cat. The stool is then sent to the laboratory to be tested for infections, parasites, and other common feline diarrhea causes.
If your vet suspects that your cat could suffer from an underlying condition, he or she may perform tests like:
- Cultures
- Radiographs
- Endoscopy
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
The results of these tests will help your veterinarian diagnose the cause of your cat's diarrhea and determine the best treatment for it.
Treatment of Diarrhea in Cats
Depending on the outcome of these diagnostic tests, your cat's diarrhea may be treated in several different ways. Mild cases of diarrhea or those caused by less serious factors like allergic reactions may be treated with a change in your cat's dry or moist food, restricted diet, or antibiotics for bacterial infections.
Diarrhea that is caused by more serious factors may require more extensive intervention before your cat can recover successfully. Your vet may prescribe antifungal or antiparasitic medications to kill parasites like roundworms. Diarrhea that is caused by cancer, tumors, or kidney or liver disease may require that your cat undergoes surgery and remain hospitalized until its health improves.
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Recovery of Diarrhea in Cats
As your cat recovers from diarrhea, it is important that you take the necessary steps at home to ensure its health. You should follow the advice of and maintain contact with your veterinarian so that your cat avoids falling ill with diarrhea in the future.
If your vet recommends that you change your cat's diet, for example, it is important that you remove the food that caused the illness in the first place. Your vet may sell the recommended food for your cat in his or her office or animal hospital.
You also should keep your pet's litter box cleaned out, provide fresh water and food, and sweep and mop around the cat's feeding area regularly. These simple precautions can keep away parasites, viruses, and bacteria that cause diarrhea in cats.
If your cat has undergone surgery or suffers from a serious underlying condition like liver disease or cancer, it is important that you give your cat's prescribed medications as recommended by your vet. You should also follow up with veterinary care as necessary to keep your cat comfortable and hydrated.
Diarrhea Average Cost
From 412 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$300
Top
Diarrhea Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Airedale Terrier
Ten Weeks
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
My kitten started having the poops and is losing weight and all her test came back negative
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Kittens very commonly have intestinal parasites that can cause problems, and we will often routinely deworm them even if we don't see parasite eggs, as they are not always shedding.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them and see what might be going on, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 12, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Ragdoll
Lola
18 Months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Soft Stools Weight Loss
I have a lactating queen, 4 kittens 6 weeks old and still nursing, mum cat is eating and drinking 3 times usual amount but has no weight on her since nursing and her faeces are part loose and part almost diarrhoea,noticed a few air bubbles in the sloppy part. Seems bright but still cleaning the kittens poop majority of time,kittens 40food/60milk weaned but enjoy her milk much more. Mum is on stronghold. Is weightloss and loose stools normal for lactating queens?
May 30, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Lola should be able to maintain her weight while nursing, unless she was underweight to begin with. There are many parasites that can cause problems in pregnant and nursing cats, and it might be a good idea to have a fecal sample checked by your veterinarian to make sure that isn't a factor. If she continues to lose weight and have soft stools, it would be best to have her seen.
May 30, 2018
My 3-month old kitten has been having a diarrhea for 4 days now. But she's very playful and drinks plenty of water and eats a lot of food. Just tonight,i found out that her feces has some red in color. And i'm so worried now. I took her to the vet before but the vet only recommended orasol.
June 12, 2018
Ruby S.
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Diarrhea Average Cost
From 412 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$300
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