Intestinal Diseases in Cats

Diseases and disorders of the intestines are not uncommon in cats. They can begin when your pet is a tiny kitten in the form of parasites and overeating and continue in senior pets with conditions such as colitis and Hyperthyroid disease. While there are diseases specifically of the intestinal tract, there are also diseases of other systems in the body that cause disorders of the intestinal tract.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms that indicate your cat has an intestinal disease or disorder include diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, rumbling stomach, loss of appetite, weight loss and flatulence.

    Parasites

    • Parasites are often the source of intestinal disorders in cats. Your veterinarian can determine what type of parasite is causing your cat's illness by doing a fecal exam. Parasites may include giardia, cryptosporidia, coccidia, round worms, hook worms, whip worms and tape worms.

    Diet

    • Many cats have bacterial-based intestinal disease from eating "garbage," and from overeating, too many treats, eating non-food items and over-grooming. Some cats have food intolerance and develop vomiting or diarrhea after eating certain type of foods. The most common food to cause such a reaction in cats is beef, lamb, seafood, corn, soy, dairy and wheat gluten.

    Colitis

    • Colitis involves chronic problems with the lower bowels and is a common illness in cats. It is an inflammation of the cat's colon or large intestines.

    Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    • The cause of feline inflammatory bowel disease is not known. It is caused when inflamed cells infiltrate the lining of the stomach, intestines or colon.

    Pancreatitis

    • The pancreas is located behind the stomach and aids in metabolizing sugar, digesting nutrients and producing pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms are similar to other types of intestinal disorders and include loss of appetite and weight loss. About half of cats will also have vomiting and abdominal pain.

    Other Diseases

    • Hyperthyroidism and liver disease are not actual diseases of the intestinal tract. However, both diseases produce symptoms such as weight loss and diarrhea that are common with intestinal disorders. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms often include weight loss and diarrhea. There are several causes and types of liver disease. Most include symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting.