Treatment For Kittens With Diarrhea

When Should I Be Concerned About My Cat’s Diarrhea

Most cats with acute diarrhea usually only have one episode of diarrhea, are fine afterwards and require no treatment. Causes for concern include chronic diarrhea that doesn’t resolve with treatment, bloody diarrhea, worms in stool, weight loss, loss of appetite for more than one day, or if your cat is lethargic or looks dehydrated .

Change Your Cats Food

There is no need to withhold food from cats who have diarrhea. In fact, doing so can hinder the intestinal tracts ability to heal itself and put cats at risk for a potentially fatal type of liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. It is best to simplify your cats diet, however. Eliminate any treats or table scraps and focus only on the core, nutritionally-complete cat food that you offer every day.

If you have recently changed your cats diet, go back to what you were previously feeding and see if your cats diarrhea resolves. One or more of the ingredients in the new food may not agree with your cat. Even if you are feeding the same brand and type of food as before but have just opened up a new batch, it might be worth buying a new bag or case from a different lot number to rule out the possibility of contamination.

More chronic adverse reactions to food can develop at any timea cat may have been eating the same food for years or recently been switched to something new. Many cats with food intolerances or allergies will experience relief from their symptoms when they eat a hypoallergenic or low-antigen diet. The best low-antigen foods are only available through veterinarians, but over-the-counter options do work for some cats. Look for diets that are made from novel protein sources .

How Is The Cause Of Diarrhea Determined

It is important to provide your veterinarian with a detailed medical history. Ideally you should write this out in chronological order before you go to the clinic. Be as detailed as possible on the date you first noticed a problem, and the progression of the clinical signs. Was there any change in your cats diet such as a new bag of food? Note what diets and treats your pet has eaten in the last 1-2 weeks. Note any changes in the normal routine of your cat or your household. How frequent are the stools? What is the color, consistency, and smell of the feces? Is the cat showing any other signs such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or loss of weight? To help you put this history together, please see the handout “Diarrhea Questionnaire and Checklist for Cats”.

Your veterinarian will usually ask you to bring a representative sample of fresh fecal material with you to your appointment. Besides a thorough clinical exam, your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostic tests. In mild cases of diarrhea, these tests may be deferred unless initial treatment fails or the condition worsens. In-depth diagnostic tests may include blood work, stool, and rectal swab samples for parasite examination, DNA testing and culture, radiographs , and endoscope exam.

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Miscellaneous Bacterial Causes Of Diarrhea

Anaerobiospirillum Species

Anaerobiospirillum spp. are motile, spiral-shaped, anaerobic gram-negative rods that were first identified by Malnick and coworkers in two human patients with diarrhea.46 Since then, Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens and Anaerobiospirillum thomasii have been recognized as causes of septicemia, particularly in immunocompromised human beings, and have been isolated from the throat and feces of healthy cats and dogs.47, 48 We have identified three cats with clinical signs of acute onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain that progressed rapidly to systemic disease characterized by lethargy and collapse. On necropsy, an acute to subacute ileocolitis was found in association with abundant spiral-shaped organisms confirmed as Anaerobiospirillum spp.49 .

Light photomicrograph of colon obtained from a cat, showing spiral-shaped Anaerobiospirillum bacteria inside the lumen of a dilated crypt .

Helicobacter Species

What Can You Give A Cat For Diarrhea

Most cats with acute diarrhea usually only have one episode of diarrhea, are fine afterwards and require no treatment. Cats with mild diarrhea may be managed with only feeding a fat-restricted, easily digested food, either homecooked chicken and rice or a therapeutic diet until normal stools are seen.

If this doesn’t clear up the problem within a day, then your vet can prescribe probiotics that can be mixed into your cat’s food and antidiarrheal drugs.

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Helping An Outdoor Cat With Diarrhea

If you have an outdoor cat, monitoring their bathroom habits can be a challenge. If you suspect your cat has diarrhea, staining of fur on the back of their legs and rump, weight loss, signs of dehydration, etc, you will need to try and isolate them in an area with a large litter box or two. If your cat is used to pottying outside, you may have to use dirt instead of litter and be sure they have plenty of privacy.

All of this information helps you know what is normal and abnormal for your cat. It will alert you to problems sooner which may avoid a vet visit. These key pieces of information change in pooping habits, changes in poop color, firmness, amount, etc. are very valuable when providing information to your cats veterinarian. It may save you a lot of time and possibly eliminate a lot of extra testing.

Why Is It Important To Treat My Cat For Diarrhea

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration so your cat must continue to drink plenty of water. Offer a bland diet that is easily absorbed and digested in the intestinal tract. Diarrhea that doesnt resolve must be investigated. For everyone involved, a swift recovery from diarrhea is preferred! Consulting a vet ensures the most effective treatment plan is made for your cat.

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Dietary Causes Of Kitten Diarrhea

Cows milk is a prime cause of kitten diarrhea because kittens cant digest it. Milk is probably the most common thing that people give to kittens that causes diarrhea. Everyone thinks thats what they need, but its not. It will affect them very quickly, says Dr. Mears.

So nix the milk! Instead, after weaning , use a kitten milk replacer mixed with kitten food. By 6 weeks of age, kittens can be fed dry and canned kitten food.

When adopting a kitten, its a good idea to ask about their current eating habits. To avoid the potential for intestinal issues, you can either continue to feed your kitten the same diet or gradually introduce your preferred food over several days. Before switching cat food, consult your veterinarian and make the change gradually. Mix a little more of the new food in with the old food each time. This will allow your kittens sensitive stomach to slowly adapt to the new food.

Then, keep an eye on that litter box. If you cant learn what your kittens diet was before bringing her home, ask your veterinarian to suggest a diet to give your kitten a great start in its new home.

Food allergies, overfeeding, or eating inedible items can also cause diarrhea in kittens. Items like bones, fabrics, or kitty litter can create intestinal blockages if swallowed.

While a poor diet is one of the most common reasons kittens suffer from diarrhea, there are other possible causes as well.

Are There Home Remedies For Cats With Chronic Diarrhea

Cats with a chronic disease, senior cats, kittens, and pregnant cats should all be examined by a vet immediately after chronic diarrhea is noted. Also, if your cats diarrhea contains blood and is accompanied by vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, or lack of appetite, take them to a vet as soon as possible.

For those cats that continue to eat well, have a good weight, and have normal energy levels, a few options are available for you to try at home:

• Diet trial using an over-the-counter sensitive stomach food

• Fiber supplement or canned pumpkin

• Feline-specific probiotics

If these options do not help your pets stool return to normal in a few days, or if additional symptoms arise, take your cat to your primary care veterinarian as soon as possible.

Never give your cat over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications for humans, like Pepto Bismol and Imodium, without first asking your veterinarian. These medications can have severe side effects in pets if not used properly.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Diarrhea In Kittens

Same as in adult cats, the symptoms of kitten diarrhea are:

• Soft or Loose Stool. The main sign of diarrhea is soft, loose, or even watery stool. It is also common for the stool to have an unusually unpleasant scent.
• Frequent Bowel Movements. Increased pooping frequency is another sign of cat diarrhea. Sometimes, kittens strain and make no poop, but they will still visit the litter box more often.
• Litter Box Accidents. New kittens can often have accidents outside the litter box. However, in case of diarrhea, those accidents are likely to be more frequent.
• Mucus or Blood in Stool. Depending on the underlying diarrhea cause, the stool may contain mucus or blood. Both cases are concerning and require veterinary attention.
• Loss of Appetite. Young kittens with diarrhea often experience a loss of appetite. The lack of appetite is a general sign that can indicate many potential conditions.
• Nausea/Vomiting. The same trigger that caused kitten diarrhea can often cause nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal Pain. Diarrhea results in abdominal pain. Kittens having abdominal pain should be taken to a vet for x-rays and other gastrointestinal examinations.
• Dehydration. Losing water via diarrhea causes dehydration. In young kittens, dehydration can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Weight Loss. One of the side effects of diarrhea is weight loss from excess poop production and a loss of appetite.

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What Is The Most Common Cause Of Diarrhea In Kittens

There are many possible causes of diarrhea some benign and transient and others severe and lasting. Here are the most common causes of diarrhea:

• Dietary Changes. When kittens are abruptly given new food, it can cause diarrhea. Before switching your cats food, consult a vet and make the change gradually so that your kittens sensitive stomach can adapt to the new food.
• Stress. Stress and anxiety are common causes of kitten diarrhea. New kittens can get stressed and develop diarrhea when weaned off or taken into their new homes.
• Food Allergies. Cats can be allergic to specific foods, such as chicken, beef, or grains. In such cases, they will have diarrhea. A common kitten diarrhea trigger is milk .
• Internal Parasites. Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Coccidia, and Giardia, and can cause digestive issues and stunt kitten growth. Regular deworming is an important part of kitten care.
• Infections. Bacterial infections or viral infections can also cause kitten diarrhea. Vaccinations help boost the immune system and protect kittens from certain bacteria and viruses.

Food Allergies And Food Intolerances

Food allergies are an unlikely cause of diarrhea in kittens, which typically develop over time, however food intolerances such as giving them cows milk may affect kittens.

Treatment:

Once the problem food is discontinued, symptoms will resolve.

• Corticosteroids or antihistamines can be prescribed to control itching. Unfortunately, not all cats will respond to this treatment.

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Feline Diarrhea Causes And Treatment

Lori personal and professional experiences have helped her cultivate a broad writing portfolio, spanning publications on subjects like education and parenting.

In a cat, diarrhea can indicate anything from an upset stomach to a major illness. In order to help your furry friend feel better, you need to understand what is causing the diarrhea and what you can do at home to help.

Other Things That Can Help With Diarrhea

In addition to rest, fasting, and a bland diet, there are some other things you may find helpful in dealing with diarrhea issues at home.

Probiotics

Probiotics may be helpful when dealing with diarrhea. Since the digestive tract makes up about 60 to 80% of your pets immune system, keeping it healthy is important. Probiotics help support a healthy immune system by keeping the intestinal bacteria in good balance and aiding in digestion. You can try regular, unflavored, probiotic-rich yogurt , or you can pick up a probiotic like Purinas FortiFlora, Nutramaxs Proviable, VetriScience Fast Balance GI Paste, VetriScience Probiotic Everyday, Under the Weather Ready Balance Gel.

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What Are The Symptoms

Besides the consistency and frequency of your cats bowel movements, there are several symptoms associated with cat diarrhea, including:

• Chronic loss of appetite

Remember that diarrhea is not a disease itself but rather a symptom indicating a problem. It is formally known as a non-specific symptom, which means that its quite common and is usually used in conjunction with other symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis.

Because diarrhea is usually a sign of another issue, its rarely the only symptom. Diarrhea is almost always accompanied by one or more of the symptoms listed above. If youre lucky, your cats issue wont be too serious. Hopefully, you can stop their diarrhea naturally by using one of the following remedies.

Treatments & How Nutrition Impacts Diarrhea

Treating diarrhea depends on its underlying cause. There are many available treatments for diarrhea that may be recommended by your vet depending on a variety of factors. However, nutrition plays a key role in managing this condition.

Nutrition plays a significant role in a healthy cat stool. Poor nutrition may lead to chronic diarrhea, so an assessment of your cat’s nutrition will be conducted by your vet. They may recommend switching cat foods as a course of treatment. A lower-fat food or food richer in complex carbohydrates and digestible complex carbohydrates with added fiber may be recommended.

Chronic cases of diarrhea are typically treated with special meal plans alongside medications. In many cases, your veterinarian will recommend nutritional therapy for the rest of the cat’s life to help maintain proper digestion for conditions that cannot be outright cured. Your vet may recommend a therapeutic cat food that is specially formulated to help with digestion and diarrhea. Many cases of chronic GI disease in cats respond well to a highly digestible food with added prebiotic fibers. This category of GI disease is called ‘food-responsive enteropathy.

In cases where food allergies are a concern, a series of nutritional trials may be necessary to determine the cat’s ideal meal plan. Hydrolyzed foods or novel protein foods are commonly recommended for these cats.

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Ensure Your Kitten Is Hydrated

In ensuring your kitten is well hydrated when experiencing a vomiting and diarrhea problem, the following measures would come in handy:

• Look out for signs of dehydration by checking out your kittens skin

You can check if your cats skin is dehydrated by lifting the scruff off her shoulder with your finger or thumb. If the skin falls back into position immediately, your cat is dehydrated.

• Provide your kitten with fresh and clean drinking water

Cats can be quite demanding in their choice of drinking water when ill. Some prefer the taste of mineral water to tap water because it contains less chlorine. Ensure you provide different kinds of water for your cat to encourage it to get adequate fluids and stay hydrated. Virbac Rebound Recuperation Formula for Cats is a liquid formulated to help cats recuperate from illness.

• Give your cat an electrolyte replacement solution

Electrolyte replacement solutions are designed for humans. However, they can also be taken by cats. Examples are Pedialyte and Dioralyte. Electrolyte solutions are mixed with water and are designed to replace lost electrolytes.

Note that some cats might not like the salty taste of these solutions. If your cat falls in this category, switch to just water.

• Hydrating your kitten with a syringe

Try giving your kitten 5 to 10ml of water every half an hour.

• Seek medical attention if your kitten vomits every time she drinks water

Give Your Cat Medications

You can consider several medications in treating your kittens vomiting and diarrhea issues. They include:

• Probiotic supplement: Helps your cat to recover from diarrhea.
• Famotidine: It helps to soothe gastric ulcers and manage stomach inflammation.
• Kaolin and Pectin: They are designed to serve as protective barriers in the gut walls of cats.
• Digestive supplement: Formulated to aid digestion.

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