Chronic Cat Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea in cats causes loose or runny stools, which last for longer than three weeks. This condition leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances and acid-base imbalances, according to the Summerlin Animal Hospital. Seek treatment from your veterinarian.
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Causes
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Chronic diarrhea has a variety of causes including infectious agents, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, cancer, toxins, irritable bowel syndrome, systemic illness or a disorder of the intestine, according to Pet Place. Monitor your cat to see if there is blood or mucus in the stools, a change in appetite or in behavior.
Diagnosis
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Consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis. To select the proper course of treatment, your vet will perform a physical exam of your cat, blood tests, fecal studies, urinalysis, viral tests and abdominal X-rays or ultrasounds. Depending on the results, further tests may be required.
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Treatment
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Withhold food initially from your cat for a short period to rest the digestive tract, then feed a bland diet. Your vet may recommend fluids, antibiotics or antidiarrheals, depending on the diagnosis. A high-fiber or hypoallergenic diet and probiotic supplementation could also assist in treating your cat's chronic diarrhea.
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References
- Photo Credit House Cat image by phizics from Fotolia.com
