Treatment for Colitis in Felines

Colitis, or inflammation of the colon, is used to describe a variety of intestinal disorders in cats, including inflammatory bowel disease. Because there are so many causes of colitis in cats, it's important to have an accurate diagnosis before beginning treatment.

  1. Causes

    • In many cats, the cause of colitis is idiopathic, or unknown. Known causes of colitis in cats include food allergies, worms, stress, cancerous or inflammatory cells that have invaded the colon, and fungal or bacterial organisms.

    Symptoms

    • The most common symptom of colitis in cats is mucous and flecks of blood in the cat's feces, as well as straining to defecate. Cats with severe colitis may vomit or have diarrhea.

    Medication

    • Since parasites are a main cause of colitis in cats, the initial treatment may include a medication that kills worms. Some veterinarians also use such antibiotics as metronidazole, sulfasalazine and tylosin. If your cat has severe colitis, your veterinarian might recommend an anti-inflammatory, such as prednisone.

    Stress

    • Some veterinarians prescribe tranquilizers or antispasmodics for cats who suffer from colitis due to stress. Reducing the stress in the cat's environment can also help colitis.

    Diet

    • Some cats with colitis do best with several small meals a day. If your cat has food allergies, your veterinarian might suggest food with a novel protein source, such as rabbit or duck. Giving the cat fatty acid supplements can reduce inflammation.