Chronic Diarrhea In Cats Uk

With large bowel diarrhea your cat may be supremely uncomfortable and the continued straining will only make the irritation worse.

Chronic diarrhea in cats uk. Chronic diarrhea in cats feline chronic diarrhea is defined as a change in the frequency consistency and volume of feces for three weeks or with recurrence. This is particularly common in younger cats and when hand rearing or weaning a kitten the use of foods not designed for the cat or overfeeding are common mistakes which can lead to diarrhoea. The cause of diarrhea may originate in either the large or small intestine. What is diarrhoea in cats.

Mild cases of diarrhoea usually pass within 24 hours. In some cases older cats especially those that go outside may consume spoiled decayed meat that can cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is more frequent loose watery stools. If the diarrhea appears to be the large volume small bowel type your cat will likely benefit from at least some supplemental fluid and electrolyte administration and probably other anti diarrheal medications.

Your cat may have chronic diarrhea that is caused by an ongoing poisoning such as lead toxicosis. Acute diarrhoea sudden onset lasting a few weeks. All of these have diarrhea as a symptom. It s rare for a cat with diarrhoea to need antibiotics and in some cases it can even make the problem worse.

Persistent diarrhea can lead to weight loss from poor digestion and loss of important nutrients. Chronic diarrhea can lead to loss of body condition development of a poor hair coat and may also affect appetite and activity levels. General causes of chronic diarrhea in cats. Another easy way to increase your cat s water intake is to switch him from kibble to a canned diet.

Diarrhea in older cats is usually caused due to a serious underlying condition. Chronic diarrhea is an important sign of intestinal disease in the cat. Treatment from a vet is necessary if diarrhoea is making your cat poorly or if it isn t quickly getting better on its own. Keep your cat s water bowls filled with fresh clean water and consider adding an extra bowl that contains diluted chicken or beef broth.

In that case your veterinarian can administer medications to ease the discomfort and to make your cat feel better more quickly. Usually seen as a symptom of an intestinal upset. Temporarily you can even mix an extra tablespoon or two of warm water into your cat s canned food. In cases of lead poisoning it s likely that the pet owner and other family members are also be affected perhaps unknowingly.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to identify the underlying cause of chronic diarrhea. Cats when older are more prone to developing kidney diseases hyperthyroidism cancer tumors diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. Diarrhea is considered chronic if symptoms persist for longer than three weeks but any time your cat has diarrhea for more than a day or two a visit to your veterinarian is indicated especially if your cat is not eating or drinking water and or is vomiting as well. Diarrhoea can occur in cats for a variety of reasons affecting any age and can generally be categorised into two forms.

Cats with diarrhea need to take in sufficient amounts of water to prevent dehydration. Treatment for diarrhoea depends on the cause.