When your furry feline companion is experiencing diarrhea she may have an increase in stools or bowel movements, blood or mucus in the stool, straining, an increase in gas, weight loss or vomiting. This can be particularly worrisome if your cat is older. There are home treatments you can try.
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Definition
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Diarrhea is the rapid movement of ingested foods through the intestines resulting in loose or watery stools, increased frequency of stools or increased volume of the stool. If not treated appropriately your cat could become dehydrated and very ill.
Treatments
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To treat most cases of simple diarrhea in older cats, remove the food bowl and allow them to have only water for 12 to 24 hours. Start your cat with bland foods such as fat-free boiled chicken and rice. You may purchase a commercially prepared baby food such as turkey and rice or chicken. The bland diet should continue for a few days. You should make sure the diarrhea does not begin again, and then slowly introduce your cat back to its normal diet. If this method does not work, you should visit your pet care specialist.
Your veterinarian may deem it necessary to withhold certain foods permanently from your older cat's diet if he shows sensitivity to particular foods. The diet may be higher in fiber, digestibility or less fatty.
Parasites can cause diarrhea in cats. Your vet can determine this by doing a fecal flotation test. The treatment is typically a wormer or other medication and this may need to be repeated over several weeks or even months.
If your cat is dehydrated, it may be necessary to hospitalize her to receive IV fluids. Even if your cat is willing to drink liquids, they may pass through the body too quickly to be absorbed properly.
Your vet may prescribe antibiotics if the cause of the diarrhea is bacterial. In other circumstances, a drug to decrease the rapid movement of food through the intestines is necessary.
Considerations
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Older cats are more prone to certain diseases such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. These can all present themselves with diarrhea as a symptom. You must consult your veterinarian to rule out and treat these conditions.
Your cat may have diarrhea due to poisonous plants or exposure to metals. She can experience pain, vomiting, depression and dehydration as a result. See your vet right away.
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