Content
- Kitten diarrhea and other symptoms
- Causes of diarrhea in kitten cats
- Stress
- Change of food
- Food Allergies or Intolerances
- Intoxications or poisonings
- Vitamin Deficiency
- Strange body
- Bacterial, fungal or viral infections
- intestinal worms
- Diarrhea Kitten Diagnosis
- Kitten cat with diarrhea: how to treat
- Prevention for diarrhea in cats
Taking care of kittens requires a lot of dedication and affection, especially if they are still breastfeeding. or weaning. They are such sensitive beings that the simplest change in their routine can cause them to suddenly become ill.Diarrhea is a very common symptom in baby kittens and in veterinary pediatrics, causing much concern to guardians. In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain how to help a kitten cat with diarrhea: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Kitten diarrhea and other symptoms
Diarrhea in cats or any other animal is characterized by an increase in the frequency and volume of the animal's stool and results from one or several diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract.
THE diarrhea is not a disease, but rather a symptom of some illness that the puppy has. Any uncontrolled diarrhea can develop into bloody diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and weakness in the puppies, and unfortunately often lead to the animal's death if body fluids and electrolytes are not replenished in time.
Usually other symptoms can be associated with diarrhea, they are:
- Dirt on limbs or tail;
- Vomiting;
- Flatulence (swollen belly);
- Abdominal discomfort;
- Decreased appetite;
- Fever;
- Lethargy/apathy.
Causes of diarrhea in kitten cats
Looking for a professional is very important at the time of diagnosis. The veterinarian must evaluate each situation and try to understand what is causing the cat to have diarrhea.
The causes for kitten diarrhea with diarrhea are very varied, which can be something as simple as a sudden change in diet, intestinal worms, or something more serious like an infectious disease.
Possible causes of diarrhea in kittens are:
Stress
sometimes the very early separation of the mother's offspring, the move to a new home, a simple scare, having visitors at home or the introduction of a new member of the family can stress the animal and cause a gastrointestinal disturbance. Cats are animals with habits and changes to their routine are a source of stress.
Change of food
Any change or addition to a food, whether in the main diet or in medication, such as a biscuit or candy, can trigger a picture of a cat with diarrhea or bloody diarrhea.
This situation can happen in any species and at any age, but there must be a extra care with kittens or dogs, because they have a more sensitive gastrointestinal tract and are weakened much more quickly.
The transition between lactation and starting a grain-based diet (weaning) can be very stressful for the animal and cause diarrhea.
Usually food-borne diarrhea is a temporary condition and once the cat's body adjusts to the new food or ingredient, it recovers. However, if this condition lasts longer than two days, the situation can already lead to other types of more severe symptoms that are you must see a veterinarian.
Food Allergies or Intolerances
Certain foods consumed by humans can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal mucosa and some are even toxic and harmful to the animal's body, so you should know very well which prohibited cat foods, including fruits and vegetables, which you may find harmless and which are not.
For example, guardians typically tend to provide kittens with cow's milk because they believe it needs the nutrients in milk. However, cow's milk is not suitable for offspring of other species, except the calves themselves, and many have very aggressive diarrhea due to intolerance to products with lactose (a sugar present in milk and its derivatives).
In case the kitten still needs milk, there are specific maternal replacement milks suitable for each species.
Intoxications or poisonings
Cats are very curious animals and being young they like to explore everything around them, licking, sniffing and eating whatever is within reach. Unfortunately there are plants, products and toxic drugs (such as acetaminophen) that are very dangerous and can lead to animal death.
Vitamin Deficiency
The deficiency of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), a vitamin essential for DNA synthesis and regeneration of the intestinal mucosa, can cause diarrhea in animals with nutritional deficiencies.
Strange body
Something the puppy has eaten that may be obstructing the stomach or intestine. Be very careful with bones, toy pieces, sharp objects or wires that your cat loves and wants to bite and swallow.
Bacterial, fungal or viral infections
These microorganisms cause inflammation of the intestine and cause the disorders listed above. It is often difficult to identify which agent is causing the diarrhea unless very specific tests are performed.
intestinal worms
They can originate cats with diarrhea because they cause irritation to the intestinal mucosa, and, in cases of severe infestation, it may be accompanied by blood or even be possible to observe the worms in the stool (similar to white dots).
Diarrhea Kitten Diagnosis
Diarrhea and/or vomiting are the most common symptoms, but also those with more differential diagnoses.
The medical history is the first impact the veterinarian has of the case and should include the maximum information possible at the time to examine a kitten with diarrhea:
- Race and age;
- If the puppy is internally and externally dewormed;
- Vaccination protocol;
- Previous illnesses and whether the siblings have any chronic illnesses diagnosed;
- Contact with other animals;
- Type of food, frequency with which it is provided, all kinds of extra food that you can receive or have access to, such as food other than feed, objects, toys, bones, detergents and other chemicals (food history is particularly important as it is of the few factors that cannot be confirmed in the remaining exams);
- The evolution and characteristics of diarrhea: how often it happens, since when did it start and what does the diarrhea look like (color and consistency);
- Changes in appetite and behavior.
After the animal's history, a physical examination must be performed, followed by complementary exams which may include blood and biochemical analysis, stool collection and analysis, FiV and FeLV testing or PCR technique.
Kitten cat with diarrhea: how to treat
First of all it is necessary replenish the fluids that the puppy lost and hydrate him as soon as possible, through fluid therapy. Treatment for cats with diarrhea should address the symptomatology and the underlying cause.
antibiotic therapy with metronidazole may be a hypothesis in the therapy of the veterinarian, together with the administration of probiotics containing Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus spp. or Bifidobacterium bifidum, bacteria beneficial to the intestinal flora.
In cases of:
- Stress, It is very important that you reduce the animal's stress level and that you place it in a calm place, free from loud noises and agitation. If the diarrhea has only a nervous origin, it is very likely that the elimination of the cause will make the diarrhea disappear.
- Food origin: Specific and/or exclusionary diet to understand what type of food is causing the gastrointestinal problems. You may need a specific diet or a home-made white, mild and easily digestible diet based on rice water or rice and shredded cooked chicken that will soothe the gastrointestinal mucosa. Attention, remember that homemade diets are not complete or balanced enough and that is why the kitten should not be fed for more than 10 days with only homemade diet.
- Intoxications or poisonings: in case of poisoning, it is emergent to try to eliminate the poison or poison from the animal's body. The veterinarian may initiate fluid therapy to dilute and increase product excretion, gastric lavage if the incident occurred within less than two hours, or administration of activated charcoal. A home remedy explained in the link can also be applied.
- Intestinal Worms: Regular deworming is very important, and in puppies up to six months old, internal and external deworming is recommended every month. There are also home remedies for cat worms.
Prevention for diarrhea in cats
The next steps are very important to treat and prevent diarrhea in kittens:
- keep a good hygiene of the puppy and its environment. In cases of intestinal worms, the eggs and the worms themselves can be in the animal's environment or can enter through our feet or other animals. It is important to clean the entire house after applying dewormer to avoid reinfestation. In addition, it is always recommended to deworm all family members to be all protected.
- Avoid sharing your food with the cat, however complicated it is.
- correct deworming with the appropriate dewormer, meeting the date of each deworming
- Updated vaccination plan.
Read too: My cat is vomiting, what to do?
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.
If you want to read more articles similar to Puppy cat with diarrhea: causes, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Intestinal Problems section.