Gastrointestinal Issues in Cats

As a cat owner, you know that cats have sensitive stomachs, and it seems almost anything can make them throw up. At Ambassador Animal Hospital in Columbia, we identify and address various gastrointestinal problems in cats.

Common Cat Digestive Problems

It is quite common for cats to develop digestive problems at some point in their lives. The symptoms vary and can include:

• Appetite changes, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
• Increased or decreased thirst
• Dull/unkempt coat
• Weight loss (in the case of chronic conditions)

If digestive problems persist for more than a few days, or if symptoms intensify, you should contact our veterinarian. If these problems go untreated for too long, your cat can experience severe dehydration, infections, and liver/kidney complications.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea in cats is a typical symptom of intestinal inflammation. Cat diarrhea may look watery or mucousy. If intestinal inflammation is in the colon, it may contain blood. In cases of colitis, common symptoms include straining and inappropriate defecation outside of the litterbox.

Causes of cat diarrhea:

• Intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, giardia)
• Viruses (feline coronavirus, feline leukemia, and feline panleukopenia)
• Food allergies and hypersensitivity to food
• Metabolic diseases of the liver and pancreas
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Cancer

Constipation

When cats do not eat enough fiber or indoor cats do not get enough exercise, they can become constipated. If cats are not allowed to use the bathroom when they need to, they can develop a habit of holding their stool. This typically happens in house cats that have a dirty litter box. Constipation can also be caused by the ingestion of foreign objects including hair.

Older cats with the spinal disease often have trouble defecating. Megacolon is a disorder of the colon, where the colon loses its ability to expel stool mechanically. This often results in severe constipation, which may require enemas or other medical intervention.

Veterinarian in Columbia

At Ambassador Animal Hospital, we have years of experience treating feline gastrointestinal issues for pet owners in Columbia and the surrounding areas. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (803) 667-9797.