Every pet owner wishes they could just ask their pet to describe what's wrong with them, so that we can then give them the best possible care. Unfortunately, this isn't possible. Instead, we have to rely on visible symptoms to tip us off that there is something wrong.
Cat diarrhea is easy to spot, whether in the litter box or out, and can shed some light on which health directions should be top-of-mind to explore.
What Should I Look For With Cat Diarrhea?
Obviously you will know if your cat is having accidents around the house, or if they are able to contain it for the litterbox. This is an important observation to start with.
Is your cat's rear hair matted or soiled? Do you notice your cat dragging their behind across the floor? Does your cat seem eager to clean themselves, or are they particularly lethargic? Has your cat's diet or water drinking changed at all recently? These are all important observations to bring with you to your vet's office.
Some variation in stool consistency is normal for cats. It is once semi-liquid or liquid stool consistency has persisted for over two days that owners should be concerned and phone their vet. If there are other symptoms present, it is certainly worth calling the vet sooner.
What Could Be Causing Cat Diarrhea?
There are a wide variety of potential causes for cat diarrhea. If your cat got into some chemicals or other things that are not good or even poisonous for them, you might be seeing the results of these items passing through the GI tract. Similarly, diarrhea could be caused by parasites; the sooner these are intercepted, the more likely your pet's health will have a positive outcome. Other important causes could include food sensitivities, intolerances, or even allergies.
Fortunately, most of these causes have tests that a veterinarian can perform.
How Will My Vet Test My Cat?
Your vet will start with a routine physical examination of your cat, and then will ask you about all of the observations listed above. They will want a fecal sample, which ideally you can provide.
Depending on your cat's medical history and the observations you provide to your vet, there are several different tests they may recommend. Blood work can shed light on your cat's general health, as well as whether their body is actively fighting any sort of infection. A stool swab can help test for parasites. X-rays and even endoscopy can help clarify the situation along their GI tract, checking for any visible abnormalities and, in the case of endoscopy, even allowing for biopsy if needed.
What Is Treatment for Cat Diarrhea Like?
The particular treatment that your cat will receive depends on the reason behind their diarrhea; a parasite will be treated differently than a food allergy, for example. However, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and other serious consequences, and so your vet will likely try to reduce its effects.
You will likely be advised to go light on food for your cat, at least for the immediate future, with the particular length of time varying by each individual cat's situation. Metronidazole is but one example of the type of anti-inflammatory given to help relieve some gastrointestinal distress. For some cats, probiotics might be recommended to facilitate their long-term digestive health; this is particularly true of cats with some sort of sensitivity, who particularly benefit from reinforcement of their gut flora.
Get Your Cat Checked Out Today
Don't sit and wonder what's wrong with your cat. Make an appointment today at the Animal Care Clinic of Junction City, and make sure that you are giving your cat their best, healthiest life.