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Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
What are Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis?
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis describes an infiltration or migration of eosinophils from their origin. Specifically, the white blood cells move into the lamina propria (layer closest to the surface of the intestinal lining) and occasionally the muscularis (muscular layer) or submucosa (tissue layer that sits on top of the muscular layer) layers of the tubular organ which is the intestine. A cat with eosinophilic gastroenteritis will experience symptoms of weight loss, a decreased appetite and tar-like black or blood covered stools. Although many cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis are idiopathic (unknown cause), conditions such as leukemia, immune-mediated disease, and parasitic disease have been linked to this intestinal disease.
When we break down the term, Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis, we can better understand what the condition it refers to. Eosinophilic is a word veterinarians use to refer to a type of white blood cell known as an eosinophil. Gastro- is the medical term for stomach and –enteritis in the term medical professionals’ use for intestinal inflammation. Therefore, we can concur that Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats is a type of inflammatory intestinal and stomach disease involving white blood cells.
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Symptoms of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in cats shares similar clinical signs as other gastroenteritis conditions. The most common symptoms of eosinophilic gastroenteritis are a change in the feline’s defecation habits and the appearance of the passed stool. Due to the inflammation inside the stomach and intestinal tract, the feline will only be able to pass small bowel movements that are often in the form of diarrhea. Additional telltale signs of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in cats include:
- Intermittent vomiting
- Anorexia (absence of appetite)
- Weight loss
- Melena (black, tarry stools): melena is the term used for digested blood found in a passed stool.
- Hematochezia (bright red blood-covered stools)
Upon physical examination, the veterinarian may be able to feel the inflamed tissues upon palpation. In other cases, such as in the case of hypereosinophilic syndrome, the vet may note an enlarged spleen, liver and lymph nodes. These portions of the cat’s body enlarge due to an elevated number of white blood cells produced by the bone marrow, which go on to invade the intestines and stomach tissues.
Causes of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in cats often occurs for unknown reasons (idiopathic), but can also be caused by a number of underlying causes including:
- Eosinophilic granuloma: a nodular lesion or growth that contains eosinophils.
- Eosinophilic leukemia: cancer caused by abnormal eosinophils.
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome: a condition in which the bone marrow makes a large number of white blood cells that invade various tissues.
- Systemic mastocytosis: The presence of mast cells within the body’s tissues which, when stimulated, release histamine that will trigger the secretion of stomach acid.
- Immune-mediated disease (adverse drug reaction, food allergy)
- Parasitic disease (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms)
Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
The diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in cats is based on clinical findings the feline presents, combined with a review of the medical history and at-home symptoms reported by the cat owner. The veterinarian may ask for a stool sample to confirm the appearance of a tarry, black or blood-covered stool, which is a sure sign the cat is unwell. Upon physical examination, the veterinarian may notice an enlarged intestine due to inflammation or enlarged lymph nodes upon palpation. The feline may express pain, by vocalizing during the veterinary palpation exam. Following the physical exam, your veterinarian will likely run a CBC (complete blood cell count) on your cat’s blood and a serum biochemistry profile. A urinalysis may follow the blood work as well as an abdominal ultrasound and radiographs using a barium contrast element.
Treatment of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
In the case of dehydration, a decreased level of blood protein albumin or other types of conditions which have left the cat unstable will require hospitalization. To stabilize the feline, the veterinarian may administer a lactated Ringer’s solution to restore hydration and/or colloids to aid in circulating blood volume. If an underlying cause has been pinpointed during the diagnostic examination of your cat, the veterinarian will attend to treating that condition specifically. Administration of steroids are the mainstay of treatment options for felines with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, but an immunosuppressant may also be prescribed based on your cat’s specific needs. Ask your veterinarian about the best treatment option for your cat, as each condition requires a different method of medical treatment.
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Recovery of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis in Cats
The prognosis for felines with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis depends on the severity of the underlying disease. Expect a follow-up appointment with your veterinarian from 2-5 weeks after treatment has started. The vet will likely request blood work and a urinalysis to be taken from your cat, which will allow him/her to evaluate the feline’s current state. Most cats diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis do not usually require long-term treatment.
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 568 quotes ranging from $500 - $1,800
Average Cost
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Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American Shorthair
Merlin
3 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Poor Appetite
3yr old rescue diagnosed with this& given steroid injection about 3 was ago. Seemed to help for a little while. Now he's back to eating no or maybe 1 1/2 oz. wet food daily if lucky. Sometimes takes few licks like he's hungry but then runs away. Food left out a bit. He Never eats it. Only eats when I feed him from the bowl holding it up high. Will understand this when you read hx below. Try to give wet food twice daily. He rarely eats any dry food, but it's left out. He drinks water, uses litter box, plays as always. No issues there or anything else. Doesn't seem to be losing weight when last checked at vet which is when he was diagnosed. Also has very minor well controlled asthma which no meds needed. Otherwise healthy. We're just extremely worried about the eating issue. Have limited finances, don't have money right now for more tests. Last 2 visits cost us over $200. Our other 2 rescues are fine as far as their health. His hx we know is he was rescued from street extremely thin, burned on neck & back with a cigar, burns healed 1 area fur isn't going to grow back. Slightly left cross eye, extremely skiddish still though have had him since Aug. 2015. Also believed he was physically abused. We consider him special needs due to hx, rescue was thrilled we adopted him since he's black & they said kept getting overlooked. Told likely due to him being black, his hx & looks. We love him & any help, advice greatly appreciated. Also looking for a cat behaviorist to help us with all 3 due to other issues. Can't find anyone. Live in southern NJ if you know anyone would also greatly appreciate it. Called local rescues, none able to help . Thanks again. Lisa & Garry
Jan. 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Merlin has been diagnosed with Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, he may need to be on medication on an ongoing basis to control the signs of the disease. I do think that you need to see your veterinarian, but since you were there 3 weeks ago for the same problem, you may be able to call and let them know that the signs improved but are back, and they can decide if they need to see him, or if they want to prescribe longer term medication. As far as a cat behaviorist, I did find this link to a behaviorist who can do Skype consultations: http://www.thecatbehaviorclinic.com/. I cannot comment on her credentials or vouch for her work, but she is available remotely. I hope that everything goes well for Merlin.
Jan. 15, 2018
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Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 568 quotes ranging from $500 - $1,800
Average Cost
$800
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