Content
- Cat gastritis: causes and risk factors
- Cat Gastritis - Symptoms
- Diagnosis of gastritis in cats
- Treatment of gastritis in cats
- How to prevent gastritis in cats?
THE gastritis it is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases among domestic felines. It is characterized by a gastric mucosal inflammation which can be acute or chronic. Gastritis affects cats of all ages, whether crossbred or defined breed, however, it is more frequent in cats that lived on the streets before being adopted. Although gastritis diagnoses are not fatal, they do require prompt veterinary attention to establish appropriate treatment and avoid worsening symptoms.
In this article, PeritoAnimal summarizes the main signs of gastritis in cats, to help you recognize, in advance, if your cat is suffering from this problem. Check out the main causes and ways to avoid this pathology, preserving good health and your pet's well-being.
Cat gastritis: causes and risk factors
In general, the symptoms of acute gastritis are related to inadequate eating habits, such as the consumption of food in bad condition, toxic substances (insecticides, medicines, toxic plants, cleaning products, pesticides, etc.) and feces from other animals. Excessive food consumption, the formation of hairballs and the ingestion of foreign bodies (plastics, toys, etc.) also represent a serious risk to the proper functioning of the cat's digestive system.
However, gastritis can also appear as a symptom of another underlying pathology, such as bacterial or viral infections, kidney or liver problems, food allergies and cancer. On the other hand, the intestinal parasites they can also cause severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
Cats that maintain an unbalanced diet, based on low quality food or consume prohibited foods or inappropriate (such as spicy, oily or peppery foods), they are more vulnerable to gastrointestinal pathologies. Furthermore, the stress appears as an important risk factor for gastritis, as well as the excessive consumption of antibiotics.
Inflammation in the gastric mucosa worsens when it is not treated quickly and adequately, giving rise to a chronic gastritis. In these cases, we observe damage, both in the stomach and in the bacterial flora of the intestine.
Cat Gastritis - Symptoms
Generally, the first symptoms of gastritis are: severe pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, accompanied by the feeling of heartburn, especially after meals. As our kittens do not express pain or indigestion clearly, these symptoms can go unnoticed.
With the advancement of inflammation, the most characteristic symptoms of gastritis. At this stage, your kitten may show the following clinical signs:
- vomiting: in acute gastritis, the animal presents sudden and frequent vomiting, which may contain bile blood, fresh or digested. In chronic gastritis, vomiting is severe and persistent, and may be accompanied by blood and bile. Vomiting with bile has a yellow or green color. Fresh blood gives vomit a red or reddish-brown color, while digested blood appears as dark grains or nodules.
- Change in mucous membranes: if the animal's gastritis is derived from the consumption of some toxic substance, its mucous membranes may appear yellowish as a symptom of intoxication. Also, in cases of more severe gastritis, the mucous membranes are usually pale, thanks to blood loss.
Other symptoms of gastritis in cats:
- Appetite and weight loss
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Weakness and lethargy
- excessive salivation
- blood in feces
Diagnosis of gastritis in cats
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in your cat, you should quickly take him to the vet of your confidence to be analyzed in detail by the professional. He can request the clinical exams necessary to check the health status of your animal and rule out the presence of foreign bodies in the digestive tract. If you suspect chronic gastritis, your veterinarian may order a biopsy of the gastric mucosa.
Treatment of gastritis in cats
After confirming the diagnosis of gastritis, the treatment will depend fundamentally on the cause and the progress of the pathology in the organism of each animal. If the presence of a foreign body in the stomach is identified, it will be essential to remove it through a surgical procedure.
In mild acute gastritis, suspend the food for a period of time (12 to 48 hours) and limiting water intake can be effective in relieving inflammation and alleviating ill health. During recovery, it will be essential to feed your cat several times a day, always offering a small portion of food at a time.
In more advanced stages of the disease, the veterinarian can administer antibiotics and corticosteroids to control the progress of inflammation in the digestive tract and treat possible infections. On the other hand, if the cat has frequent vomiting, medications antiemetics can be used to reverse this condition.
In all cases of gastritis, it will be essential adapt the animal's diet and correct some bad habits in your routine to avoid another episode of severe inflammation. Your veterinarian can guide you through these changes to provide a better quality of life for your little companion.
How to prevent gastritis in cats?
When it comes to the health of our furry friend, we should always keep in mind the saying: better safe than sorry. To prevent the development of gastritis in your feline, remember to follow the tips we list below:
- good nutrition: it is essential to provide a balanced diet and of excellent quality to the animal throughout its life, respecting the amount of food suitable for its size and age. In addition to removing banned foods from your diet. Remember not to offer your cat spicy human foods or products that are difficult to digest!
- home care: avoid leaving garbage or any kind of residue within reach of your cat. Also, take care of the general organization of the house in an intelligent way, avoiding access to cleaning products, pesticides, medicines and other products possibly toxic to health.
- Control the exits to the outside: Many cats are used to walking freely outside the house, but roaming poses a serious risk to their health. In addition to the risk of consuming food in bad conditions or toxic substances, felines can also be infected with numerous pathologies, whether during street fights, sexual intercourse or through direct contact with pathogens.
- preventive medicine: All cats should have adequate preventive medicine throughout their lives. So, remember to make periodic visits to the veterinarian every 6 months, and respect your letter of vaccination and deworming periodic, in addition to keeping you physically and mentally stimulated.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.