Feline Diarrhea & Cough

Cats are at risk for contracting many different kinds of internal parasites. To effectively treat the infection, the exact parasite needs to be identified. One type, roundworms, is known for causing intestinal problems in cats, including diarrhea. Roundworms can also cause a cat to cough as the infection worsens.

  1. Roundworms

    • The most common feline and canine intestinal parasite, roundworms are most commonly found in kittens although they can infect adult cats. Female cats can pass roundworms to their kittens while nursing them. Roundworms can be passed from cat to cat through infected feces. A cat that comes in contact with soil where an infected cat has defecated or water that has been contaminated by the parasite is also at risk for infection, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

    Symptoms

    • A cat that has roundworms will often experience bouts of diarrhea. Roundworm larvae are sometimes visible in the diarrhea, but not always. The cat could also vomit. Roundworms steal nutrients from a cat's intestines, so the cat could lose weight and experience malnutrition. Roundworm larvae can compromise a cat's respiratory system, leaving it vulnerable to infections like pneumonia. When this happens, the cat will develop a cough in addition to symptoms of intestinal upset.

    Diagnosis

    • It is helpful for a cat's owner to tell a veterinarian that she has seen worms in the cat's vomit or feces. The veterinarian can examine the cat's feces and look for roundworm eggs inside of it. If the cat is experiencing coughing along with diarrhea, a chest radiograph can help reveal if the respiratory issues are complicated by roundworms. A veterinarian can examine the cat's saliva under a microscope and look for roundworm eggs inside of it, according to "The Feline Patient."

    Treatment

    • Several different deworming products are available. It is important to first diagnose roundworm before beginning treatment, as no medication will cure all different possible intestinal parasites. The cat's owner should administer roundworm medication under a veterinarian's supervision, as deworming products can cause side effects and even death in cats if not given properly. Once a cat has been treated, the diarrhea and coughing will stop.

    Considerations

    • While diarrhea or a cough might seem like minor symptoms, it is important to treat a cat for roundworms quickly. Not only are roundworms highly contagious among cats and other animals, but they can also be passed to humans. In humans, untreated roundworms can cause damage to the liver, lungs and even cause partial blindness by damaging the eyes.