Cat Colonic Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Everything You Should Know
Cat Colonic Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Everything You Should Know
Colonic diarrhea in cats, as the name suggests, is diarrhea caused by the large intestine. The large intestine is divided into the "cecum", "colon", and "rectum", which are located near the small intestine. By repeatedly secreting and absorbing water, the large intestine tries to keep the water content in the digested food passing through the tube constant. However, if the secretory function or absorption function is abnormal, the water balance in the intestines will be lost, and diarrhea will occur. For example, absorption is normal but secretion is too large, or secretion is normal but absorption is low. The latter is also known as "osmotic diarrhea", which is common in colonic diarrhea. If it persists for more than 3 weeks, it is also called colonic "chronic diarrhea".
Main Symptoms of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
The symptoms of colonic diarrhea in cats can vary from cat to cat, but some of the most common symptoms include:
Frequent defecation: Your cat may defecate more frequently than usual, even if the amount of stool is small.
Diarrhea (mucus and blood stools): Diarrhea can be watery, mucousy, or bloody.
Straining to defecate (but not passing any stool): Your cat may try to defecate but be unable to pass anything.
Vomiting: Vomiting can also be a symptom of colonic diarrhea.
Main Causes of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
There are many causes of colonic diarrhea in cats, including:
Underlying diseases: Colonic diarrhea may be a symptom of other diseases, such as:
Chronic enteritis: This is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the intestines.
Tumors: Colonic tumors, such as benign polyps, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and leiomyoma, can also cause diarrhea.
Addison's disease (adrenal cortex): This is an endocrine disease that causes hypoadrenalism.
Uremia (kidney): This is a kidney disease that causes the kidneys to fail to properly filter the blood.
Fungal or parasitic infections: Some fungi or parasites can also trigger colonic diarrhea, including:
Fungi: Such as Histoplasma capsulatum.
Bacteria: Such as Salmonella and Clostridium.
Mold: Such as Aspergillus.
Protozoa: Such as Giardia.
Parasites: Such as hookworms.
Other factors: The following factors can also lead to colonic diarrhea:
Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria: Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria due to large amounts of fiber intake can cause diarrhea.
Accidental ingestion of inedible foreign objects: Such as bones and hair.
Food allergies: Food allergies can cause inflammation and diarrhea in the intestines.
Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics and anticholinergics, can also cause colonic diarrhea.
Treatment of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
Treatment for colonic diarrhea in cats depends on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam on your cat and may perform some tests to determine the cause. Treatment may include:
Food and water deprivation: In acute cases, withhold water for 12 hours and food for 24 hours to reduce the burden on the large intestine.
Symptomatic treatment: Your veterinarian may give your cat anti-diarrheal medication and fluids to replace lost fluids.
Treatment of underlying diseases: If the colonic diarrhea is caused by an underlying disease, treating that disease is key. For example, if the colonic diarrhea is caused by parasites, your veterinarian may give your cat deworming medication.
Preventing Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
Here are some tips for preventing colonic diarrhea in cats:
Feed your cat a high-quality cat food: Choose a high-quality cat food specifically formulated for cats and avoid feeding cheap or low-quality cat food.
Avoid feeding your cat human food: Some ingredients in human food, such as onions, chocolate, and grapes, are toxic to cats.
Deworm your cat regularly: Regularly deworming your cat can help prevent parasitic infections.
Keep your cat clean: Cleaning your cat's litter box regularly can prevent the growth of bacteria and parasites.
Pay attention to changes in your cat's behavior: If you notice your cat has symptoms of diarrhea, take it to the vet immediately.
Conclusion
Colonic diarrhea in cats is a common condition, but it can be a symptom of many underlying diseases. If you suspect your cat has colonic diarrhea, take it to the vet immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help your cat recover more quickly.
Colonic diarrhea in cats, as the name suggests, is diarrhea caused by the large intestine. The large intestine is divided into the "cecum", "colon", and "rectum", which are located near the small intestine. By repeatedly secreting and absorbing water, the large intestine tries to keep the water content in the digested food passing through the tube constant. However, if the secretory function or absorption function is abnormal, the water balance in the intestines will be lost, and diarrhea will occur. For example, absorption is normal but secretion is too large, or secretion is normal but absorption is low. The latter is also known as "osmotic diarrhea", which is common in colonic diarrhea. If it persists for more than 3 weeks, it is also called colonic "chronic diarrhea".
Main Symptoms of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
The symptoms of colonic diarrhea in cats can vary from cat to cat, but some of the most common symptoms include:
Frequent defecation: Your cat may defecate more frequently than usual, even if the amount of stool is small.
Diarrhea (mucus and blood stools): Diarrhea can be watery, mucousy, or bloody.
Straining to defecate (but not passing any stool): Your cat may try to defecate but be unable to pass anything.
Vomiting: Vomiting can also be a symptom of colonic diarrhea.
Main Causes of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
There are many causes of colonic diarrhea in cats, including:
Underlying diseases: Colonic diarrhea may be a symptom of other diseases, such as:
Chronic enteritis: This is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the intestines.
Tumors: Colonic tumors, such as benign polyps, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and leiomyoma, can also cause diarrhea.
Addison's disease (adrenal cortex): This is an endocrine disease that causes hypoadrenalism.
Uremia (kidney): This is a kidney disease that causes the kidneys to fail to properly filter the blood.
Fungal or parasitic infections: Some fungi or parasites can also trigger colonic diarrhea, including:
Fungi: Such as Histoplasma capsulatum.
Bacteria: Such as Salmonella and Clostridium.
Mold: Such as Aspergillus.
Protozoa: Such as Giardia.
Parasites: Such as hookworms.
Other factors: The following factors can also lead to colonic diarrhea:
Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria: Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria due to large amounts of fiber intake can cause diarrhea.
Accidental ingestion of inedible foreign objects: Such as bones and hair.
Food allergies: Food allergies can cause inflammation and diarrhea in the intestines.
Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics and anticholinergics, can also cause colonic diarrhea.
Treatment of Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
Treatment for colonic diarrhea in cats depends on the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam on your cat and may perform some tests to determine the cause. Treatment may include:
Food and water deprivation: In acute cases, withhold water for 12 hours and food for 24 hours to reduce the burden on the large intestine.
Symptomatic treatment: Your veterinarian may give your cat anti-diarrheal medication and fluids to replace lost fluids.
Treatment of underlying diseases: If the colonic diarrhea is caused by an underlying disease, treating that disease is key. For example, if the colonic diarrhea is caused by parasites, your veterinarian may give your cat deworming medication.
Preventing Colonic Diarrhea in Cats
Here are some tips for preventing colonic diarrhea in cats:
Feed your cat a high-quality cat food: Choose a high-quality cat food specifically formulated for cats and avoid feeding cheap or low-quality cat food.
Avoid feeding your cat human food: Some ingredients in human food, such as onions, chocolate, and grapes, are toxic to cats.
Deworm your cat regularly: Regularly deworming your cat can help prevent parasitic infections.
Keep your cat clean: Cleaning your cat's litter box regularly can prevent the growth of bacteria and parasites.
Pay attention to changes in your cat's behavior: If you notice your cat has symptoms of diarrhea, take it to the vet immediately.
Conclusion
Colonic diarrhea in cats is a common condition, but it can be a symptom of many underlying diseases. If you suspect your cat has colonic diarrhea, take it to the vet immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help your cat recover more quickly.
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