What Causes Cat Diarrhea? What are the different kinds of cats diarrhea and What to do when your cat has diarrhea?

Cat Diarrhea

What is Diarrhea in Cats

Diarrhea is a condition in which the amount of water in the stool increases compared to normal stool due to some abnormality in the gastrointestinal tract. The water content of normal stool is said to be about 70%, but when it exceeds about 80%, it is called "diarrhea".

Types Of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is classified into the following seven types according to the condition of the stool, the site of diarrhea, and the duration of diarrhea. 

Watery stool (watery diarrhea)

Watery stools are defined as liquid stools that contain more than 90% water.

loose stools (diarrhea with less water)

Semi-solid stools with a water content of 80-90% are called loose stools. Although it is firmer than a watery stool, it is a soft stool that easily loses its shape.

Bloody stool/bloody stool (diarrhea mixed with blood)

Stools that contain blood are called bloody stools or bloody stools. If bleeding from the large intestine near the anus is suspected, blood may be present in the stool. If there is damage to the large intestine, it will be jelly-like "mucus".

In addition, if bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract such as the stomach or small intestine is suspected, intestinal bacteria may oxidize the iron in the blood, resulting in black stools (tarry stools).

small bowel diarrhea

Diarrhea caused by water imbalance in the small intestine is called small intestinal diarrhea. Food cannot be properly digested and absorbed, resulting in increased stool volume and foul odor. Undigested substances are found in the stool.

large intestine diarrhea

Diarrhea caused by water imbalance in the large intestine is called colonic diarrhea. In the case of colonic diarrhea, the food is digested in the small intestine, so there is very little undigested food in the stool. However, when inflammation occurs in the large intestine, the large intestine mucosa peels off, so a large amount of mucus secreted from the large intestine can be seen in the stool.

It is characterized by tenesmuses, such as no bowel movement despite the urge to defecate, abdominal pain with a feeling of incomplete bowel movements, and only a small amount of bowel movements, even if they occur. Please refer to the table below for the difference between small intestinal diarrhea and large intestine diarrhea.

acute diarrhea

In the case of acute diarrhea, one day it suddenly becomes diarrhea, and the symptoms subside in about 1 to 2 weeks.

chronic diarrhea

In chronic diarrhea, symptoms persist for weeks (more than 3 weeks) despite treatment.

causes of diarrhea in cats

What are the possible causes of diarrhea in cats? Let's look at the main causes.

Diarrhea due to infection

Infectious diarrhea is diagnosed by conducting a stool test to check for the presence of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In the case of kittens and elderly cats with weakened immune systems, the symptoms are likely to become serious, so caution is required.

Virus

Viral diarrhea is represented by feline panleukopenia caused by parvovirus and feline infectious peritonitis caused by a coronavirus. In particular, cats with feline panleukopenia are at risk of death, so caution must be exercised. Feline panleukopenia can be prevented by vaccination with 3 to 7 vaccines, so be sure to get vaccinated.

Feline infectious peritonitis can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected cats, as it can be transmitted between cats. If you bring a new cat into the house, be sure to have it checked in advance.

bacteria

Bacterial diarrhea is typically caused by Campylobacter infection or Salmonella infection.

Campylobacter is a bacterium that normally resides in the intestinal tract, but there are individual differences in symptoms, and in some cases, there are no symptoms, and in some cases, diarrhea accompanied by vomiting and abdominal pain continue. Kittens and cats with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop the disease. Since it is believed that the disease is transmitted through the excrement of infected animals, unsterilized water or milk, thorough indoor breeding, and appropriate dietary management are preventive measures.

Salmonella is contained in the intestines of animals, contaminated soil, water, food, etc., and causes acute gastroenteritis and sepsis by invading the body through the mouth. Diarrhea that is watery and mixed with mucous membranes and blood can occur, and as it progresses, it can lead to dehydration, bacteremia, and septic shock, leading to death. Symptoms can range from asymptomatic to severe. As with Campylobacter, it is possible to become infected by coming in contact with animal excrement or eating contaminated food.

Parasite

The main parasites that infect cats are divided into:

·      External parasites (parasites on the body surface): fleas, scabies, ear mites, etc.

·      Internal parasites (parasitic in the digestive tract): roundworms, hookworms, nematodes, tapeworms, protozoa (coccidia, trichomonas, giardia), etc.

Even in cases where healthy adult cats do not show any particular symptoms, kittens may develop diarrhea or bloody stools and fall into serious symptoms.

Diarrhea due to diet 

The food you eat can also cause diarrhea.

indigestion

Overeating, switching cat food, or eating human food can lead to indigestion and diarrhea.

food allergy

Various food allergies can cause diarrhea. It is necessary to carry out an examination to identify the allergen and manage the diet under the guidance of a veterinarian so as not to give allergen foods.

Diarrhea due to illness

Some visceral or endocrine disorders can also cause diarrhea.

diseases of the endocrine system

Endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, can also cause diarrhea.

Medication-induced diarrhea

Diarrhea can also be a side effect of medications such as antibiotics.

If symptoms of diarrhea begin to appear within a few days of starting the drug, stop immediately and consult the veterinarian who prescribed it.

What to do when your cat has diarrhea

So what should you do if your cat has diarrhea? Let's see how to deal with it.

Observe the condition of the stool and the behavior of the cat

If your cat has diarrhea, it is important to keep a close eye on the condition of the stool and how the cat behaves.

Is the cat in good health?

Do cats have an appetite?

Do cats have symptoms other than diarrhea (vomiting, etc.)?

Stool color, shape, frequency, softness, and what is passed with stool

How long has the diarrhea been going on?

Determining Whether to See a Hospital

If your stools are a little softer than usual, but you are healthy and have no appetite, you don't have to worry too much, but it is okay to see how much diarrhea you have.

Diarrhea in cats is not uncommon, but it can be life-threatening in the following cases: It's better to see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that you don't get too late while watching the situation. If you have any concerns other than this, it is safer to consult with your family veterinarian.

At the hospital, the veterinarian will ask about the condition, amount, and frequency of stools and how the cat is doing in order to assess the degree of urgency.

It is a good idea to keep the following points in mind before your visit.

·      time of diarrhea

·      Stool condition (moisture content and consistency)

·      Stool color and smell

·      How is the amount of stool compared to usual?

·      Diarrhea times per day

·      vomiting

·      appetite

·      Appearance during defecation

·      Presence or absence of switching cat food

·      Possibility of accidental ingestion

·      weight change

·      Presence of worms in stool