TREATING COLITIS IN CATS
We can say that the digestive system in humans and cats has an almost identical structure. Therefore, it is not surprising that you can find a pet disease lurking in a human. Genetic susceptibility to gastrointestinal diseases or improper diet can lead to various diseases. One of them is colitis in cats. Symptoms and treatment of this disease are two important topics that we will discuss in detail in the article. We will also tell you about the forms of the disease and the preventive measures.
Did you know that cats develop colon problems like humans? In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive explanation of ways to treat feline colitis
Colitis in general is infections or ulcers that affect the colon or the large intestine, and because of this inflammation, some symptoms may appear, such as diarrhea in cats. Read: Treating diarrhea in cats
Colon problems are usually closely related to malnutrition, of course malnutrition does not mean depriving cats of food, but it means feeding cats some inappropriate foods
There are many symptoms that accompany colon problems in cats, so in this article we will show you all the symptoms and how to deal with them
Natural treatment for colitis in cats
Colon symptoms in cats :
There are many symptoms that accompany feline colitis, and the symptoms also vary according to the severity of the disease.
Some symptoms of colon in cats appear suddenly and quickly without warning, and some appear chronically, as cats may continue to suffer slowly for several days or weeks.
Therefore, monitoring your cat permanently and monitoring its daily habits helps you always discover any problem quickly.
As for the symptoms of colon in cats, they are as follows:
Frequent diarrhea for no apparent reason (you will notice that your cat's stool looks normal, but at the end of defecation, the stool will appear soft)
Difficulty passing stool sometimes
Constipation in some cases
The appearance of some blood points in the stool
The appearance of mucous parts in the stool
Little loss of appetite
Significant weight loss
Sleeping excessively (more than 15 hours)
Causes of colitis in cats :
Your cat will show signs of fatigue gradually or suddenly when suffering from colon problems
Colon problems in cats in general have many causes, and have many causes that cannot be counted.
But in general, the reasons are summarized as follows :
Household foods that contain spices
Parasites like worms
Fungi in cats
Overactive thyroid gland
Stress and intense fear
Side effects of some medications
Poor nutrition
Bacterial infection such as salmonella
How can you discover colon problems when your cat ?
Sleeping for more periods than usual is a sign of colitis in cats
In principle, the persistence of diarrhea in your cat for several days, or the recurrence of diarrhea intermittently, without a clear pathological cause, this calls for attention.
Take your cat to the veterinary clinic for examination, as colitis needs an accurate diagnosis to determine the appropriate treatment for it. Some other health problems have the same symptom as diarrhea.
The vet will:
Examine the cat and ask about any other symptoms
Has your cat been mixing with other cats recently?
The doctor will need to know your cat's diet and the food she is eating
If the veterinarian is not sure that your cat has colitis, he will perform some tests as follows:
A comprehensive blood analysis
Stool examination to find out any bacterial infections
Urine test to assess kidney condition
The doctor may need an ultrasound or an X-ray CT scan
How to treat colitis in cats :
The treatment of colitis in cats is to reduce the severity of the symptoms that the cat suffers from, especially the pain during defecation, and to try to restore normal colon movement.
If there is any cause of the problem, it must be removed, such as treating any health problem that causes colitis, and thus the colon will begin to recover.
Therefore, determining the treatment of colitis in cats needs to know its cause, and we do not recommend giving medicines at all in this case without consulting a doctor because the medicines may worsen your cat’s condition.
The doctor will prescribe these drugs to treat the disease :
Anti-inflammatory to relieve ulceration in the colon wall
An injection or syrup for diarrhea to help relieve pain for your cat during a bowel movement
Drontal tablets or any medicine to treat worms and intestinal parasites
An effective antibiotic
An immune booster to help the cat fight disease
CLASSIFICATION OF THE COURSE OF THE DISEASE :
Experts identify three groups of the disease. It is divided according to the location of the focus of inflammation, the course of the disease and its origin. Let's take a closer look at each kit in detail.
Ulceration colitis occurs :
mustache. Inflammation occurs suddenly. It does not last long. A kitten may appear due to an intolerance to dairy products or due to the influence of parasites. In an adult animal, such a disease can occur as a result of the use of toxic substances, a dead mouse or spoiled food.
Chronic colitis in cats. There is extensive damage to the esophagus. The disease is characterized by frequent relapses and a long treatment.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE ORIGIN OF THE DISEASE
By origin it is colitis :
Ulcerative. It occurs due to the development of an ulcer within the digestive system.
Viral. The inflammatory process provokes an infection that reaches the intestine.
bacteria. Pathological reactions provoke bacteria that have entered the colon. Bacteria could be Yersinia and Salmonella.
Toxic. It occurs due to the fact that the cat eats poison or chemicals. The latter causes poisoning.
Ischemic. Colitis is caused by inflammation of the abdominal aorta of an animal.
CLASSIFICATION BY LOCALIZATION OF INFLAMMATION :
On the localization of the inflammatory focus:
Pancole. This is an extensive lesion of the entire colon.
Proctitis. Inflammation of the rectal mucosa.
Cecal inflammation. This type of colitis is caused by irritation of the mucous membrane of the cecum.
Experts believe that chronic or acute pancreatitis is most common in cats. These difficulties lead to general weakness and diarrhea.
CAUSE OF DISEASE :
For various reasons, colitis may occur in cats (symptoms and treatment of this disease will be explained further). Therefore, the exact causes of the disease remain unexplained. Let's understand the main causes of the disease. These include:
Allergic reaction
The presence of parasites (worms);
Malnutrition
Mechanical injury to the intestine caused by foreign bodies. For example, it comes from poorly digested wool or accidentally ingested bones.
Repetitive trauma
Reduce immunity
Long-term antibiotic therapy;
Inflammatory processes caused by viruses;
Bacteria and fungi that cause pathological processes.
The factors mentioned above can cause damage to the inner lining of the intestine. In this case, the affected areas will be filled with destroyed cells, lymph. This contributes to the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Microbes and bacteria that emit toxic waste further impede the digestive system. As a result, more mucous secretions appear from the colon. Unfortunately, this is not enough. For this reason, it is required to start treatment immediately at the first symptoms of the disease.
WHAT SHOULD THE OWNER PAY ATTENTION TO ?
Note that the first sign of the onset of pathological processes is colonic diarrhea. On the box, the owner can see products with an unpleasant smell from the defecation of the animal. They are definitely different from regular fecal masses. They have a lot of mucus, bloody impurities can appear. At the same time, very irregular emptying. Pets often run on stairs, and block stools in small portions. Often, emptying is accompanied by painful sensations. For this reason, a meow can be clamped loudly and honestly.
An alert owner can hear the rumbling in the cat's stomach. In addition, the abdomen itself can be swollen. Sometimes gas and flatulence may occur. Usually, when cats have colitis, the appetite remains the same, and pets do not lose weight, that is, they appear completely healthy.
To diagnose at home, the owner should feel light-headed. If these actions cause the pet's pain, that means there is a reason to go to the vet.
With colitis, all substances entering the intestine are poorly absorbed. Therefore, the body quickly tries to get rid of it. This leads to diarrhea. In a particularly severe form of the disease, vomiting may occur, and the temperature may rise. There is also a significant weight loss.
We looked at symptoms of colitis in cats, and treatment in this case should be introduced as soon as possible after diagnosis. Only quick response from the owners and qualified medical assistance will help shorten the treatment process. And in the current form, the drug treatment is ineffective. As a result, the pet's death occurs.
THE DIAGNOSIS :
How is feline colitis diagnosed? Now we will understand. Before you go to the veterinary clinic, you need to make a stool collection yourself. He, too, like the cat, has to be delivered to the hospital. There, the vet will analyze the stool for the presence of parasites in it. You may also need the following actions:
Biopsy.
Colonoscopy (examination of the colon, which is carried out with a special probe);
Blood and urine tests
Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
These studies will help to find out the cause of gastroenteritis. Remember, a correct diagnosis is key to your future recovery.
DISEASE TREATMENT :
How is feline colitis treated? The main effect in this case is carried out from two sides - drugs are prescribed and an individually tailored diet is selected. Medicines are selected based on what caused the disease.
How to treat colitis in a cat? It is possible to perform the treatment by various methods. Let's consider them:
Completely deworming (in two or more stages).
Reception of probiotics (for example, "Lactopeda"). These drugs can restore the full functioning of the intestine.
For acute diarrhea, coated drugs such as Smecta are used.
With bacterial colitis, antibiotics are used, for example, Tylosin.
It takes 1-2 months of dieting. In the diet should be foods rich in fiber. They have a positive effect on digestion.
Vitamins A, B, E are used to restore immunity.
Ulcerative colitis, unfortunately, can only be cured by surgery.
For a disease caused by an allergic reaction, the drug is used prednisolone.
It is recommended not to treat colitis in cats at home. Only a qualified specialist will be able to choose the most suitable treatment for each particular patient.
BLOCK
We have already found out what constitutes colitis in cats. Symptoms and treatment have been discussed in detail above. Now let's talk about preventive measures. These include the following :
The absence of stress in the life of the animal.
Proper nutrition. Use only high-quality feed. If you plan to feed a "naturalka", then make a balanced diet. Add vegetables and leftovers to it. Don't change my habitual. A sudden diet change leads to many intestinal disorders. The animal must receive regular water.
It is imperative that the animal be given deworming and vaccination in a timely manner.
Do not forget about the routine examination at the veterinarian.
Here's how to prevent colitis in cats. The recommendations listed above will help your pet to stay healthy and strong. This way you can reduce the chances of such a disease.
CONCLUSION
Now you know what constitutes colitis in cats. Symptoms and treatment of this disease are two topics that we discussed in detail in our article. We have also provided helpful recommendations for preventing this disease in cats.
