In those cases what might your veterinarian advise you can you do at home? Your veterinarian is your best resource for treating this complicated and potentially deadly issue. The vomit may contain foamy, yellowish bile, especially after the stomach has been emptied. Most of the time, it is a symptom of a more serious condition such as: Inflammatory bowel disease —this pertains to a group of feline disorders leading to long-term diarrhea or vomiting in cats. Remember that your veterinarian is there to advise you. If you see the following signs, it’s best to at least give your veterinarian a call and possibly schedule an appointment, especially if the symptoms become intense and concerning. The definition of Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea lasting for three weeks or longer. Some of the red flags that should make you more concerned are: In these cases, you should consult with your veterinarian. Osmotic diarrhea occurs when something causes the intestinal tract to absorb too much water into feces. Last updated on 1/7/2020. Cat diarrhea can be acute or chronic, and there are different sets of possible causes for each. As a cat parent, you need to pay attention to your cat’s circadian rhythms, energy levels, eating and drinking interest, and urination and defecation habits. Dysentery in cats can be difficult to detect. If fiber or probiotic formulations are not enough to return your cat’s stool to its normal consistency after one to two days, consult your veterinarian. However, a cat's age will affect the underlying reason. Lethargy is defined in the dictionary as ‘a lack of energy and enthusiasm’. Soft, formed stool is generally less severe but should still be assessed by a veterinarian. Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Cats. Likewise, a stressful situation—a long automobile trip or a weekend stay at a veterinary clinic—may produce a brief episode of loose bowels. March 8, 2020 (published). This can cause diarrhea. Even so, according to a cat’s lifestyle, it’s possible for owners to be unaware of their pet’s bathroom habits. In addition, cats are very fastidious about grooming so the tell-tale (or tell-tail) signs of diarrhea may be missed—especially in the early stages. What Causes Cat Diarrhea and What to Do About It. Diarrhea is typically caused by some infectious, chemical or physical irritation of the intestinal mucosa (the sensitive tissue lining the gastrointestinal tract). Long-lasting diarrhea that is resistant to treatment can often be multifactorial, with multiple treatments needed for complete resolution. It may be caused by something as mild as a dietary change or something as serious as cancer or a parasitical infection. Acute diarrhea has four general reasons for occurring: osmotic imbalances, over secretion, intestinal exudation or motility disorders. Kittens, senior cats, cats with chronic disease, and pregnant cats are all at increased risk of death-related to complications from untreated diarrhea. Do not make sudden diet changes or give your cat human foods or rich or novel treats to avoid cases of acute diarrhea. Intestinal exudation describes a slow oozing of blood fluids through ulcers or other breaks in the intesti… Gradual transition of your cat to an over-the-counter diet targeting gastrointestinal health may provide some benefit, but prescription diets are recommended if diarrhea persists. Your cat might have eaten something that did not agree with him. Diarrhea in cats is a condition that is hallmarked by loose or liquid stools. Mike has more than 35 years of experience in companion animal veterinary practice and is a valued member of IDEXX’s Pet Health Network team since 2013. On the other hand, large bowel diarrheas involve the lower bowel or colon so that you more typically see a cat straining and uncomfortable, but passing only small amounts of soft/mucoid/sometimes bloody stool. Diarrhea is a common symptom and usually, it does not mean cancer simply because there are so many other causes. Diarrhoea can often present as a result of a number of underlying causes in cats. There are six main categories when it comes to the cause of acute diarrhea in cats: Infectious (parasitic, protozoal, bacterial, fungal, or viral), Metabolic or endocrine (such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism). Osmotic imbalances occur when the concentration of food molecules in the intestine is too high. Diarrhea in cats isn’t exactly a disease. There are six main categories when it comes to the cause of acute diarrhea in cats: Infectious (parasitic, protozoal, bacterial, fungal, or viral) Inflammatory (such as food allergies) Metabolic or endocrine (such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism) Food intolerance: Occurs when the body has a reaction to eating a particular food or drink such as milk. But if it lasts longer, your cat can get dehydrated, which can be dangerous. Infections – Viral or bacterial infections can also cause diarrhea and also occur more frequently in younger cats. It takes roughly eight hours for food to pass through the small intestine and into the colon. Kittens may be at elevated risk as their digestive systems adjust to the introduction of solid food. “Managing Toxicoses in Exotic Animals”. If no improvement is seen in your cat’s diarrhea within two to three days of initiating therapy, you should contact your veterinarian to check for potential complicating factors. In cats of up to 6 years of age, diarrhea due to inflammatory bowel disease or an adverse reaction to a particular food are more common. Abdominal ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy can be used to check for foreign body ingestion or cancer as causes of cat diarrhea. First off, diarrhea is the condition where the cat’s poop is anywhere from very soft and runny masses to just liquid. When is it time to worry about cat diarrhea?First of all, you know your cat best. Bacterial and viral infections of the GI tract can cause your cat to experience severe diarrhea and vomiting, both of which can lead to extreme weight loss and dehydration. Cat Diarrhea: When is it Serious and How Do I Stop It? What are the causes of cat diarrhea?This would be an exhaustively long list if we went into everything that can cause your cat to have loose stools, but here are some of the general categories: How may you be able to help stop cat diarrhea?Because there are so many potential causes of diarrhea in cats, you should check with your veterinarian if your cat is having it regularly. Otherwise, you can increase fiber consumption to treat soft stool at home. Acute means that the diarrhea just happened suddenly or doesn’t go on for long period of time. Swallowing of hairballs, foreign object or poisonous substance: When your cat swallows hairballs and some foreign material, it may block his intestinal … There is a gamut of reasons why your cat may be having a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea in cats can be caused by an extremely wide variety of health conditions, and can be acute or chronic in origin. Blood in the stool (either dark, blackish stool or visible, frank, red blood), Or if your cat is more likely to be quickly compromised by ongoing diarrhea (i.e. They can then diagnose the cause and start the related treatment for that cause. But it can also happen as a result of your cat eating non-food items such as tinsel, rubber bands, and bits of toys. If your cat’s diarrhea is yellow, bloody, chronic, coated in mucus, or accompanied by vomiting, contact your vet right away for treatment. An abrupt diet change can easily give a kitty the runs. very young, very old, or already battling some other medical problem). You can ask your veterinarian about the frequency and dosing of canned pumpkin or fiber supplements, and there are some feline-specific over-the-counter fiber products that you can get to increase dietary fiber as well. Often it occurs when a cat eats something unusual or when their meal plan changes abruptly. Infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, coccidia, and intestinal worms, or non-infectious irritants, such as chemical toxins or poisonous plants are some of the more common causes of inflammation. In this sense the veterinarian has sufficient means to determine what type of inflammatory bowel infection is treated. Although it can occur in cats of any age, kittens are more prone to infectious diarrhea. One of the most common problems we see in veterinary medicine is gastrointestinal (GI) upset/diarrhea. Feline-specific probiotics can also benefit some cats with diarrhea. Causes of Diarrhea in Cats. Veterinary Pathology, 24, 330-334 Riley, T., Adams, J., O'Neill, G. and Bowman, R. 1991 Gastrointestinal carriage of Clostridium difficile in cats and dogs attending veterinary clinics. For example, grass or green-colored material may cause green discoloration, which is not always a medical concern, although some animals with green feces have gallbladder disease. Bright red coloration within the feces or coating the feces is a sign of lower intestinal tract bleeding. https://www.vin.com/doc/?id=9547705&pid=25043. If diarrhea is not self-resolving within a 24-hour period, especially in these populations, you should seek out veterinary care. Our feline friends hide disease and injury incredibly well, so cat parents should be aware of subtle signs of illness. With small bowel diarrhea you are more likely to see large volumes or watery diarrhea which can quickly lead to significant dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. Even if the ultimate cause of the diarrhea is not anything serious, getting that diagnosis and beginning therapy are important steps. Types of Diarrhea in Cats Cats also frequently get yeast infections, caused by fungi. Causes of diarrhea in cats. Diarrhea that lasts for 24 to 48 hours probably won’t cause a problem unless you have an older cat or a kitten. Finally there are diseases caused by parasites, viruses like feline leukemia virus and bacteria that among other symptoms cause diarrhea in cats. But while diarrhea in cats will likely be easy to detect, the causes of it can vary from a simple change in their diet to much more serious diseases. Bloodwork evaluates for metabolic or systemic causes of diarrhea and assesses the consequences of cat diarrhea, such as dehydration or anemia. The most frequently seen causes of acute diarrhea in cats include dietary intolerance, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. Treats or new foods (canned or dry) can cause diarrhea if they are contaminated, are suddenly introduced, contain ingredients that are toxic to cats, or contain ingredients that cats are allergic to. Here’s what you need to know about diarrhea in cats. Chronic diarrhea is characterized as lasting for two to three weeks or longer. Dr. Benson says these causes include food intolerances or allergies, internal parasites, metabolic disease or primary GI … If you do notice your cat has diarrhea between visits, what could be the cause? Many owners will observe ’dry heaving’ or gagging after their cat eats or drinks. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT. When it comes to defecation, consistency, color, and frequency are factors that you should pay close attention to—even if it feels slightly awkward to bring up, your veterinarian wants to hear about your pet’s poop! Liquid diarrhea is concerning because it dehydrates and malnourishes an animal quickly. You should also call your vet if you have a kitten, senior cat, a cat with a chronic disease, or a pregnant cat that has diarrhea for vet treatment. Causes of Diarrhea in Cats. Over secretion occurs when the intestine secretes too much fluid after being exposed to bacteria or toxins. What can you do at home? Cat Nutrition: What Makes a Nutritional Cat Food? For this reason, routine veterinary visits are important. It is important to make sure that the products that you feed to your cat are carefully inspected and introduced slowly. But be aware that there are some aspects of diarrhea that are more alarming and some consequences that can be quite concerning.To start with, one way to classify diarrhea is as either small bowel or large bowel diarrhea. The most common causes of food allergies are fish, beef, chicken, eggs, and wheat. Most cats defecate once a day. Attaching and effacing bacteria in the intestines of calves and cats with diarrhea. What Causes Diarrhea In Cats? Causes and Symptoms of Diarrhea in Cats If your cat starts experiencing diarrhea it can be concerning, and even inconvenient and time-consuming, if you need to continuously clean up after your cat. The causes range from harmless to deadly. In medical terms, lethargy is a state of inactivity or sleepiness brought on by illness, pain or disease. This transition allows the pet's digestive system to adjust and lowers the chance of diarrhea. https://www.vin.com/doc/?id=9547705&pid=25043. The most frequently seen causes of acute diarrhea in cats include dietary intolerance, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. Most cats with gastroenteritis will have intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea is caused by an osmotic problem, a gastrointestinal motility problem, a permeability problem, or a secretory problem. Lethargy is a symptom rather than a disease. Some common causes of cat diarrhea include: Your cat may be an avid hunter and scavenge or susceptible to stress. Stool consistency suggests the degree of severity to your veterinarian. In my experience, food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease are two of the more common causes if an adult cat has diarrhea that’s persistent. Water is drawn into the intestine by the excess molecules, causing diarrhea. Generally, if your cat had one somewhat soft stool but is still happy, playful and eating normally, you can probably safely wait to see what the next bowel movement looks like before taking any major steps.