Is colitis serious in cats?
Colitis can be painful and uncomfortable for your cat, and is responsible up to half of all cases of chronic diarrhoea. While it’s relatively common and easy to treat, feline colitis can lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a more serious condition.
What are the symptoms of colitis in cats?
We understand diarrhea as an increase in the volume and frequency of daily stools. Thus, the most common symptoms of colitis in cats are: Bulky and frequent stools, generally with absence of form (pasty), but with normal color.
What should I Feed my Cat with colitis?
Therefore, it should be noted that the diet for cats with colitis should be complementary to the treatment. Cats with colitis can be greatly benefited by a fast solid initial for a few hours (between 6 and 12 hours), if the veterinarian considers it appropriate and as long as there are no contraindications.
Is it normal for a cat to have diarrhea?
A fairly common occurrence during the lifetime of even the healthiest cat is some form of diarrhea. If found, it’s natural to assume your cat has an upset tummy. But, not so fast! The cause of the loose stool could be colitis. “Colitis, that sounds serious,” is what most people think. Not so fast again!
How can you tell if your cat has bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer (in older cats or cats infected with FeLV or FIV) Idiopathies (underlying cause is unknown) Cats with colitis often have fresh, red blood and/or mucus in their stools. They may strain to defecate, go more often than normal, or miss the litter pan. In some cases, your cat may seem constipated and strain with no results.
How can you tell if your cat has feline colitis?
If you suspect your cat is suffering from feline colitis, you can verify it by recognizing if these symptoms are present. The stool usually carries mucus or slime, and possibly even fresh blood. The stool is also more slimy or gooey instead of watery. There are three types of feline colitis. One that occurs suddenly is called acute colitis.
What causes chronic colitis in an outdoor cat?
Free-roaming outdoor cats are predisposed to acute colitis. Chronic colitis is more common in middle-aged and older cats and tends to be caused by cancer (neoplasia) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Purebred cats have an increased incidence of lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammatory bowel disease.
What can I give my Cat for feline colitis?
Acute feline colitis can easily be treated with a few medications which your vet would prescribe. The most common prescription is metronidazole. Your vet may also suggest that you put your cat into a dietary therapy to facilitate treatment. Chronic feline colitis is obviously more difficult to treat.
Which is more common, acute colitis in dogs or cats?
Depending on the underlying cause, colitis in cats can be acute (sudden in onset), episodic (waxing and waning) or chronic (long-term). Acute colitis is more common in dogs than in cats and typically is self-limiting.