Feline Stomach Disorders

Keep your feline healthy.

Feline stomach disorders take many forms. Owners may become concerned when their pet is vomiting frequently, having bouts of diarrhea, becoming lethargic, or showing signs of a tender belly. There are problems that arise in cats similar to those in humans. Such issues include e.coli infections, stomach ulcers, stomach cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and Clostridium perfringens.

Types

E.coli can infect a mother cat's milk.

E.coli (escherichia coli), or food poisoning, is a disorder found mostly in younger cats. The E.coli bacteria is necessary in smaller amounts in the lower intestines of cats, and kittens can get infected with it through their mother's milk.

Feline stomach ulcers are created from an abundance of acid that erodes the gastrointestinal lining. A bacteria called Helicobacter pylori can form during erosion and is commonly noticeable in ulcers. As more Helicopter bacteria forms, more ulcers accumulate causing extreme pain.

Another feline stomach disorder, stomach cancer, is rare. Symptoms are similar to ulcers, and the disease may be too far advanced before it is noticed.

In another type of disorder, bacteria called Clostridium may get trapped in the intestine after a cat has nibbled on decaying vegetables or raw meats. Most commonly, the problem will be an intestinal tract infection and not a serious disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is quite common in cats. It is described as an array of diseases that invade inflammatory cells within the intestinal wall of a feline. Normally this appears after a cat has suffered an injury or infection.

Risk Factors

Clean eating environments are important.

Risk factors of E.coli include infected feline mothers and crowded living environments. When a kitten is born to a cat with the disease, the bacteria carries through the womb and milk. An abundance of felines in one small place may warrant sleeping in their own feces or urine. Unsanitary conditions help the E.coli bacteria breed.

When a cat has been under stress, had internal parasites, or eaten something of a caustic nature, they are at high risk of forming stomach ulcers. Other times, the ulcers may be diagnosed as masses or tumors. Stomach cancer will form if too many ulcers containing Helicobacter are left unnoticed and bacteria spreads.

Clostridium may appear as a result of eating raw or old meat, but this is not the only cause of the problem. Other factors include insufficient antibodies, exposure to other cats, high pH levels found in the intestines and dietary changes. Similar risks are evident with inflammatory bowel disease while other threats may be parasites and fungi.

Symptoms

Always watch your feline's behaviors.

Symptoms of E.coli infection include cold skin, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and rapid heart rate. The warning signs of vomiting and diarrhea are also apparent with ulcers. Take notice of dark or black feces, painful abdomen, vomit with traces of blood, and a lack of appetite.

Watch your feline for dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, and masses in the stomach area. These are all signs of stomach cancer and require immediate attention. A tender abdomen could also be a symptom of Clostridium bacteria.

When vomiting has occurred frequently enough to cause weight loss, your feline's problem could be a severe case of inflammatory bowel disease. Most vomit will look like mucus. If there are partial bits of digested food or hair, the cat's stomach may be infected with this disorder.

Diet

Cats are carnivores.

Average nutrition guidelines demonstrate a need for felines to have 55 percent protein, 45 percent fat, and 1 to 2 percent carbohydrates. Cats are carnivores and their bodies are designed to get their protein from meat. Plant-based foods are low in protein and high in carbohydrates. Canned food tends to be the healthiest for your pet. Instead of allowing dry food to be available all day, feed your cat two to three times throughout the day with high protein canned meals. The reduction of inflammatory bowel disease is significant when a feline's diet is changed to a balanced meat selection. Cats do not drink very much water and their bodies require a large consumption. Dry cat food is cooked for a long period of time, removing the water. Meat-based canned food contains considerable amounts.

Veterinarian Advice

Never wait to see a veterinarian.

Stomach disorders should always be inspected by your pet's veterinarian. Stomach ulcers, Helicobacter, Clostridium and E.coli may only require an antibiotic. More serious cases can lead to surgery for removal of masses. Problems such as stomach cancer and inflammatory bowel disease need to be scanned with an ultrasound. The most obvious procedure with cancer is to remove the tumors while IBD may require reconstruction of the bowels.

References

• Go Pets America: Feline Stomach Ulcer and Tumor
• Mar Vista Animal Medical Center: What is Helicobacter?
• PetMD: Colibacillosis in Cats
• PetMD: Clostridial Enterotoxicosis in Cats
• Cat Health: Feline Stomach Cancer