Benefits of Cat Pet Insurance
Dr. Roth
Posted by Dr. Roth on
Cats are unable to tell their pet parent verbally that they are sick or not feeling well. Also, cats instinctively mask or hide ailments to avoid looking weak. Therefore, knowing when a cat is sick can be difficult for a pet parent.
Diarrhea in cats is a common health concern caused by a plethora of conditions. Healthy adult cats often overcome diarrhea without needing serious treatment — however, diarrhea can cause kittens and senior cats to become dehydrated very quickly.
Most diarrhea in cats is acute, meaning it happens suddenly. On the other hand, some cats experience chronic diarrhea, meaning it occurs over a long period of time.
The following list contains some of the most common causes of diarrhea in cats:
Determining the cause of diarrhea usually requires diagnostic testing at a vet clinic. The easiest and fastest test a vet can do is a fecal exam. This test requires a fresh sample of cat feces and is very effective at detecting most intestinal parasites.
In addition to a fecal exam, the vet may also request blood work to test for viruses and infection.
In some cases, specialized diagnostic testing is required and include:
Treatment for diarrhea in cats greatly depends on the cause and the age of the cat. In many cases, probiotics, antibiotics, dewormers, and a slight change in diet can remedy an acute case of diarrhea.
Cats may also need subcutaneous or intravenous fluids to treat or prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.
The pet parent will need to work closely with their vet to establish an individualized treatment plan for chronic diarrhea. This treatment plan will be specific to the cat’s diagnosis and may need to be modified regularly.
A chat with a Fuzzy Veterinarian team member can assist a pet parent with additional feline health questions.