Elderly Cats & Diarrhea

Elderly cats are prone to a variety of issues, including those with their teeth, skin and organs. Older felines can also experience chronic diarrhea. This condition can cause serious issues if left untreated for too long, such as dehydration; therefore, it is imperative to take your senior cat to the veterinarian as soon as the diarrhea occurs.

  1. Causes

    • Many factors can cause diarrhea, including parasites and bacteria. When diarrhea shows up in elderly cats, however, chronic conditions are typically suspected. Certain cancers, hyperthyroidism and inflammatory bowel disease are usually on the top of the list of suspected causes of diarrhea in older cats.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of diarrhea include runny or watery stools, or stool that is softer than normal. In addition, diarrhea typically comes quite urgently; therefore, the cat may have accidents outside of the litter box because it can't make it in time. If parasites are the cause of the cat's diarrhea, they may come out in the stool. The cat may have pain around its stomach and may excessively lick its bottom as a means to keep itself clean.

    Diagnosis

    • Your elderly cat may require several types of testing before a cause of the diarrhea is determined. The veterinarian will likely check the cat's stool for parasites and bacteria. In addition, the doctor may take blood to check organ functions and your cat's thyroid level. The vet may also recommend radiographs of the cat's stomach to check the thickness of the intestine and for tumors.

    Treatment

    • Treatment of your cat's diarrhea depends upon the cause. Cats with inflammatory bowel disease are often maintained with corticosteriods such as prednisone or budesonide, which will decrease the inflammation, states 2ndChance. Other treatments include sulfa antibiotics or anti-cancer medications. Medication will handle hyperthyroidism and keep the thyroid at healthy levels. If cancer is the cause, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation may resolve the problem.