Gastrointestinal diseases in cats: the main signs of ailments, treatment and prevention. Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats - VeraVet Nephrology Veterinary Clinic. Home veterinarian

Nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of gastrointestinal diseases for which a single cause is unknown. IBD leads to intestinal inflammation and animals affected by the disease show chronic symptoms. Siamese cats are the most prone to IBD.

The condition of inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by the presence of specific inflammatory cells in the intestinal mucosa. In IBD, lymphocytes and plasma cells are found, which are directly responsible for the body's immune response. Eosinophils are usually another type of cell present at the site of inflammation. Neutrophils are responsible for destroying foreign bacteria or cleaning up damaged tissues. In a chronic disease, the normal tissue of the intestinal epithelium can be replaced by scar tissue.

The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown. Genetics, nutrition, infections, immune system disorders may all play a role. IBD may not only be an actual disease, but may be a characteristic response of the body to certain conditions caused by various factors.

Symptoms of the disease:

Symptoms of nonspecific intestinal inflammation in cats:

Weight loss.
Stomach ache.
Presence of bright red blood on stool.
animal passivity.
Rumbling in the stomach, gases.
Weight loss.

Signs may vary depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract that is inflamed. For example, vomiting is more common when the stomach or upper small intestine is affected, and diarrhea begins when the colon is involved. At the initial stage of the disease, an increase in the volume of defecation is noted, but each time the amount of stool is produced less, blood appears in the stool. Diarrhea and vomiting may be intermittent (come and go). In a serious condition, some animals become depressed, stop eating, and an increase in body temperature appears.

Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

To make a proper diagnosis, your veterinarian will need to take a detailed medical history of your cat, asking you questions about the duration and frequency of symptoms.

In some animals, a thickened intestine can be palpated on physical examination.

The result of tests (urinalysis and clinical, biochemical blood tests) is often normal. Some cats may have anemia and high white blood cell counts (as in infections). An increase in protein and liver enzymes may also be found, as with severe intestinal inflammation, the liver and pancreas may also be affected. An increase in the number of eosonophils in the blood is also possible.

X-ray and ultrasound: There are no consistent radiological findings in a cat with IBD. The bowel may become thick and have more gas than in a normal bowel, but these signs can also occur with other diseases.

The only reliable way to diagnose bowel disease is to perform a biopsy, but even then it can be difficult to distinguish from some types of cancer. A biopsy will show an increase in the number of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall. Cell types can determine which type of bowel disease is present. A biopsy can be obtained by using an endoscope or by exploratory laparotomy (surgery). To the naked eye, the intestines may appear normal, but changes can be seen under a microscope. In other cases, GI lesions are fairly obvious.

Other causes of diarrhea or cellular infiltrates should be ruled out (fecal test for protozoa, culture to rule out e.g. Salmonella, blood tests to rule out comorbidities such as hyperthyroidism, liver disease, or feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection).

Treatment of intestinal inflammation in a cat

Typically, treatment for inflammatory bowel disease involves a combination of diet and the use of various medications. A hypoallergenic diet is one of the first steps to verify the diagnosis. The bottom line is to use sources of protein and carbohydrates that the cat has not eaten before, such as duck, potatoes, or use a diet consisting of hydrolyzed proteins.

Exclude various delicacies and treats.

If this diet helps, its duration is from two weeks.

With the ineffectiveness of a hypoallergenic diet, others are involved. Highly digestible, low fat diets are generally better tolerated by a cat with IBD. Avoid: wheat, rye, oats and barley! You can use homemade diets, but developed by veterinary nutritionists.

Cats and cats have been independent by nature since the beginning of time. However, in modern times, pets have such diseases that it is impossible to cope alone, without the help of the owner. For example, - dangerous and unpleasant disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes it affects the entire stomach and then the entire digestive tract of the animal is under serious threat. With such a disease, the recovery of a pet depends only on you, your approach, as well as your willingness to call a veterinarian and consult with him. Indeed, many owners in vain think that they are able to cure a pet on their own, without the intervention of an experienced doctor.

The article discusses the reasons and enterocolitis symptoms, as well as the subsequent treatment. It is presented only to familiarize you with the topic and with what you may one day encounter. However, the final diagnosis and treatment should be made by an experienced and knowledgeable veterinarian.

Our center "I-VET" offers the service of visiting a doctor at home. With enterocolitis, it is difficult to transport cats, so the service will be convenient and useful, while it will save your time. A veterinarian gastroenterologist will conduct all the necessary tests on the spot, and then draw up a treatment plan, a course of diets and medications that the pet needs. He will also advise you on the further maintenance of the pet. Thanks to our system, you will find out the final price of the consultation at home and the course of treatment right on the phone, and not after the examination!

Enterocolitis in cats: causes

bacteria;
Viruses;
Fungi;
Helminths;
Reaction to medications or prolonged use of one medication;
Food that may be of poor quality (mold, expired, cheap and violate the animal's diet) or simply new to which the animal is not yet accustomed;
The cat is under a lot of stress. Stress can be related to anything from moving to a new place to being attacked or having a sudden and loud sound.

There are many reasons and some cannot be explained and identified. They forever remain a mystery, and here it is important not to identify the cause, but to cure the pet.

It is also not uncommon for enterocolitis develops due to unprofessional self-medication, which is traded by inexperienced owners, saving their time and money. In an unsuccessfully treated animal, symptoms can only worsen. But thanks to our I-VET center, you can save time and money with our home visit services! You can find out the prices directly by phone, and an experienced veterinarian gastroenterologist will advise on issues of interest, as well as draw up a treatment that will certainly help your pet.

Enterocolitis in cats: clinical signs

Enterocolitis in cats has a fairly common symptom - uncontrolled diarrhea or vomit. It contains yellow bile with foamy elements. Similar vomit can be seen after the stomach is empty. The cat suffers and is exhausted from powerful vomiting spasms. This format is terrible because that as soon as a cat eats even a small piece of food or takes a sip of water, it will immediately be outside and will not have time to digest. This leads to severe physical exhaustion, starvation and dehydration. Diarrhea can also be very severe when the kitten spends most of the day on the litter box and cannot do anything. Wherein feces look like gruel, colorless.

Due to dehydration, cats stop eating, there is apathy between diarrhea and vomiting spasms. The worst stage is hemorrhagic enterocolitis. This pathology often leads to death.

Enterocolitis in cats: all the symptoms

The complexity of determining enterocolitis in that the symptoms are rather superficial and are found in many diseases. In the following, the most dangerous symptoms will be considered, which are not necessarily an indicator of enterocolitis, but can still be serious or even fatal diseases for animals, especially when they are associated with inflammation of the gastric tract.

Our Y-VET veterinarians have repeatedly encountered various symptoms of enterocolitis, so this list can be supplemented by those that were encountered in the doctor's personal experience.

diagnosis of enterocolitis in cats

What kind of food does the cat eat?
The frequency of food consumption, as well as the amount of food that the pet consumes at one meal;
Everything that the pet consumed and drank within 48 hours before the first symptoms began to appear;
What new care products, products or even toys have appeared in the cat's life lately;
Were there any contacts with household chemicals, cleaning agents;
Of course, he will ask about what medications the pet uses and how often;
Have you had contact with other animals in the last 48 hours;
recent illnesses;
Chronic diseases.

Read this list carefully and be prepared to answer each question in as much detail as possible. Our doctors can come to you and perform all tests (for example, a microscopic examination of a blood smear). But only detailed information about everything related to the animal can help determine the diagnosis correctly and take the necessary treatment. If necessary, additional tests will be prescribed: ultrasound, X-ray, determination of chemical parameters of blood serum, urinalysis and others.

Enterocolitis in cats: treatment

After an accurate diagnosis of enterocolitis in cats, our expert will prescribe a course of treatment for your pet. The therapy eliminates dehydration, water balance, as well as electrolyte balance.

At a particularly acute stage, a water-tea diet is prescribed. Sometimes gastric lavage is performed. If diarrhea and vomiting continue, and dehydration reaches a critical maximum, then the fluid in the body has to be controlled with the help of droppers. If the animal is frankly suffering, then a course of antispasmodics is prescribed, which reduce pain.

In the event that the pet's condition is completely critical or a bacterial infection is detected, antibiotics may be prescribed, as well as sulfonamide preparations along with drugs against dysbacteriosis. Antidiarrheal agents may also be prescribed, but only after complete exclusion of intestinal obstruction. Otherwise, death is possible.

Enterocolitis in cats: diet

In food and water, the pet must be limited, especially at first. He can receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals through a drip. Then, gradually and very slowly, the volume of the usual food for the cat is brought to the standard values that were before the illness. Our veterinarian gastroenterologist will advise you in all matters of diet and food, which is necessary for the complete recovery of the pet, and also so that this does not happen again.

Briefly, then cats are contraindicated spicy, sour, salty, and fried foods. Often removed from the diet coarse fiber, dairy products and various complex proteins. It is worth giving the cat drugs that improve digestion and food intake, the so-called probiotics and prebiotics. They help restore the intestinal microflora, as well as normalize vitamin and mineral complexes.

Enterocolitis in cats is severe, but the chance of a full recovery is great. Especially it strongly depends on how soon the owner turned to the veterinarian for help and how soon the cause of the disease was identified. Early diagnosis is absolutely always at the forefront of your cat's painless recovery. Keep in mind that a disease such as enterocolitis is very common in cats.

Monitor your pet's health and behavior and contact your veterinarian gastroenterologist immediately in case of symptoms. Our Y-VET experts can examine the animal at home, quickly and efficiently make tests and give the necessary advice on how to feed the cat further and how to treat it. We work according to European quality standards and are responsible for our work. Also, all our employees love animals, so we guarantee a responsible approach even more! It is important to remember that in no case should you self-medicate, choose medicines yourself, and also try to make a course and diet using methods from the Internet. Entrust your pet to professionals who know what to do!

Both in people and in their pets, the digestive system is almost the “basis of the foundations” of the whole organism. After all, the degree of “filling” with nutrients, microelements and vitamins depends on its condition. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cats always seriously affect the health of pets. Therefore, you always need to know at least the general signs of those ailments in which you urgently need to show your pet to the veterinarian.

In nature, there are more than a dozen varieties, many of which cause the development of the disease when they enter the body of a susceptible animal or person. They can infect mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects! The infection is usually transmitted by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the faeces of sick animals, by eating raw or undercooked meat, eggs. Cats often become infected by eating a gaping sparrow. The fact is that many birds are lifelong carriers of salmonella. Clinical signs begin to appear after three to five days. These include: sudden onset of watery, containing blood or mucus, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe.

In some cases, the disease is asymptomatic, but the animal remains a carrier of the infection. But with salmonellosis, this is extremely rare. The causative agent secretes a whole “bouquet” of lytic toxins, which severely damage the intestines and, in addition to diarrhea, contribute to development (since microbes penetrate directly into the bloodstream). In sick animals, the body temperature rises greatly, they develop rapidly.

Salmonellosis, as practice shows, usually affects weakened, old and young animals.. In addition, this infection often affects the "guests" of animal shelters and "flea" markets without exception. Diagnosis is by blood culture (if the cat already has sepsis). But in most cases, to determine the disease, the pathogen is grown by taking samples of feces. It should be noted that a single absence of the pathogen in the culture is not the basis for a negative diagnosis of salmonellosis. In such cases, the sowing of pathological material on nutrient media is repeated again.

Treatment includes replacement and specific therapy. A sick pet is given intravenous nutritional and detoxifying solutions. In order to destroy the pathogen, powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. It should be noted that the course of antibiotics must be “pierced” to the end of the cat. If this is not done, the development of carriage is possible. Part of Salmonella in such conditions adapt to the action of antibiotics and remain in the body of the animal for life. Such pets, although they look absolutely healthy (they only occasionally have diarrhea), daily “splash out” millions of bacteria into the external environment. In this case, not only other animals are exposed to danger ...

Important! Salmonellosis is a zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans) disease, so when caring for a sick cat, you should carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene and take care of regular disinfection of the premises where the pet has access.

Cleanliness is a guarantee of safety for the owner and his family members. Keep in mind that even a recovered cat can be infected, as bacteria from his body continue to be shed for about six weeks after the complete disappearance of clinical signs. The situation is aggravated by the fact that salmonella is very stable in the external environment. To ensure its destruction, it is necessary to use disinfectants in the highest possible concentrations.

Read also: Diarrhea with blood in a kitten: causes, diagnosis, treatment

campylobacteriosis

campylobacteriosis- a little-known, but very common infectious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract in cats, caused by bacteria from the genus Campylobacter. Under a microscope, the pathogen is easily determined, as it has a characteristic "gull" shape. Most often, kittens younger than six months are infected, but the disease of adult, weakened animals is not excluded. Note that bacteria are often found in the faeces of perfectly healthy animals, in which symptoms do not appear at all. This indicates common cases of carriage.

As a rule, the first clinical signs of the disease appear within a week after infection (from three to seven days), manifesting as severe diarrhea and lack of appetite. Depending on the severity of the case, the feces may contain abundant impurities of mucus and blood. The route of transmission is fecal-oral. Most often, this is eating food or drinking water contaminated with the feces of sick animals. But also a common cause of infection is eating raw or undercooked meat, drinking fresh milk. Cats often get sick after eating a fresh mouse. Finally, birds are the lifelong carrier of the infection. Since their defecation process is almost “continuous”, birds are frequent causes of epidemics.

As we have already said, carriage is common among cats themselves. How can it be identified? One way is to sow a scraping from the surface of the rectum or feces. But modern researchers believe that for a reliable diagnosis, it is necessary to take a scraping of the gastric mucosa. We draw the attention of the owners: it is possible that the initial test will be negative. In such cases, it must be repeated if the veterinarian has even the slightest doubt about the objectivity of the result.

Important! Campylobacteriosis is also a zoonotic disease and is one of the main causes of diarrhea in humans.

It is believed that it is cats that are a frequent source of infection for children who have spontaneous diarrhea. But infectious disease doctors think differently: according to their information, in most cases, cats have nothing to do with it, but people get infected by drinking unpasteurized milk or eating "doubtful" chicken. So do not forget about the heat treatment of food, and drink only pasteurized or sterilized milk from the refrigerator! Campylobacteriosis is treated by prescribing loading doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as other antimicrobials, to the sick pet.

Read also: Renal failure in cats - causes, symptoms and treatment of the syndrome

Helicobacteriosis

Pets are treated with antibiotics. This is done after determining the sensitivity on the example of a previously grown culture. If the animal has severe diarrhea and vomiting, hydrating and detoxifying compounds are administered intravenously. In addition, drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice are prescribed to reduce pain. It is still unknown whether the disease is anthropozoonotic. Hypothetically, the pathogen is not transmitted from a cat to a person, but experienced doctors and veterinarians strongly doubt this. It is likely that feline Helicobacter pylori can cause gastritis and even stomach cancer in humans. So when caring for a sick pet, you must strictly observe at least elementary hygiene standards!

Cats and humans have an almost identical structure of the digestive system. Therefore, it is not surprising that diseases that are inherent in humans can often be found in pets. An improperly formulated diet and the genetic predisposition of a mustachioed pet to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to various pathologies. Colitis in cats is one of them. The article will detail what are the causes and symptoms of this disease, what are the forms of colitis and how to treat it effectively.

In veterinary medicine, colitis is commonly understood as an inflammatory process that occurs in the large intestine of a pet. The peculiarity of localization makes colitis in a cat one of the most dangerous ailments associated with the digestive system. And this is no coincidence, because it is the large intestine that is responsible for the absorption of water and the fermentation of fiber. In it, digested food is transformed into a defecation product.

The structure of the large intestine provides for the presence of a special mucous membrane in it, thanks to which feces can move without obstacles to the rectum for future emptying of the pet. In the case of an inflammatory process, the normal functioning of the large intestine becomes difficult, as a result, the formation of food gruel is difficult, and the suction of water from it slows down. It is for this reason that a mustachioed pet begins to suffer from chronic diarrhea and constipation. Owners who do not pay proper attention to the symptoms and subsequent treatment of colitis in cats in the future face the fact that their animal will develop ulcers and cancerous growths in the intestines.

Types of disease

Experts distinguish three separate classifying groups to determine the type of colitis. Their separation occurs according to the origin, the course of the disease and according to where the focus of inflammation is localized. Let's consider each group in more detail.

Origin:

Viral. An infection enters the intestine, provoking an inflammatory process.
Toxic. The animal eats poison or chemicals that cause poisoning.
Ulcerative. Due to the development of ulcers inside the digestive tract.
Ischemic. Pathology occurs against the background of inflammation of the pet's abdominal aorta.
Bacterial. Bacteria, such as Salmonella or Yersinia, that have entered the colon, provoke pathological reactions.

According to the localization of the inflammatory focus:

Proctitis is an inflammatory process in the rectal mucosa.
Typhlitis - occurs due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the caecum.
Pancolitis is an extensive lesion of the entire large intestine of a pet.

According to statistics, acute or chronic pancolitis is most common among cats, leading to constant diarrhea and general weakness.

Causes

Colitis in cats occurs due to many different causes, so it is not surprising that in most cases its exact etiology remains unclear. We list the most basic of them:

Each of these factors can potentially cause the inner linings of the intestinal tract to become damaged. In this case, the lesions will be filled with destroyed lymph and cells, and this contributes to the development of pathogenic microflora. Bacteria and microbes, releasing toxic waste products, further disrupt the digestive process. The colon tries to soften the inflammatory processes with the help of abundant mucous secretions, but this is not enough. Therefore, it is important to understand that at the first symptoms of colitis in a cat, you should immediately show it to a specialist.

Characteristic symptoms

Colonic diarrhea is the first sign of the onset of pathological processes. The owner may find foul-smelling animal feces in the pet's litter box. They differ from the usual feces in that they contain a lot of mucus, and there are also blotches of blood. The emptyings themselves are extremely irregular, the pet does it often, but in small portions. Often they are accompanied by painful sensations, so the cat can meow loudly and plaintively.

An attentive owner can hear a loud rumbling in the pet’s stomach, in addition, it can be inflated like a ball. Sometimes there are opposite signs - flatulence, the animal suffers from strong gases. With colitis, the cat's appetite remains the same, it does not lose weight, and at first glance it looks quite healthy. For primary diagnosis, at home, the owner can try to gently feel the belly of a mustachioed friend, if touching causes him pain, then you should start to worry.

All substances that enter the intestines are poorly absorbed, the body tries to get rid of them, which leads to diarrhea. This creates a vicious circle where poorly digested food provokes diarrhea, which, in turn, interferes with proper digestion. In a particularly acute form, colitis can be expressed in vomiting, fever, significant weight loss.

It is important to understand that the treatment of colitis in cats requires promptness. The quick reaction of the owners and the qualified help of a doctor will help reduce the cure time for colitis to one week. In advanced form, this disease is no longer amenable to medical treatment and leads to the death of the pet.

Diagnostics

All this will help to determine exactly what caused the inflammatory processes of the intestinal tract. Remember that a correct diagnosis is the key to a future full recovery.

Treatment and prevention

The main therapeutic effect is carried out with the help of two things - medications and an individually tailored diet for the pet. In many ways, the prescribed injections and tablets will depend on the reasons that caused the onset of the disease.

Colitis can be treated in the following ways:

Taking probiotics, which will restore the full functioning of the intestines, for example, Linex or Lactobifida.
Complete deworming in several stages.
With severe diarrhea, you need to treat the cat with enveloping preparations (Smecta).
Restoration of the animal's immunity (taking vitamins A, B, E).
If the colitis is caused by an allergic reaction, then Prednisolone is perfect.
Bacterial colitis should be treated with antibiotics (Tylosin).
Compliance with the diet for 1-2 months. The diet should contain foods rich in fiber (bran), they improve the pet's digestion.
Unfortunately, ulcerative colitis can only be treated with surgery.

If we talk about preventive measures that help avoid the appearance of colitis, then they are not so difficult to implement. These include:

Proper nutrition. When composing the diet, use high quality food, include vegetables in the cat's food, avoid giving cheese, liver and lamb too often. Try not to change the usual menu for no reason, this leads to intestinal disorders. Teach your cat to eat only at home. Make sure your pet always has access to fresh water.
Lack of stress in the life of a pet.
Regularly conduct a routine examination of the cat at the veterinarian.
Be sure to vaccinate the cat and carry out timely deworming.

Sourced from www.merckmanuals.com

Inflammation of the colon in cats.

If possible, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause of inflammation. When treating, strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian on diet. For example, it may be suggested not to feed the cat for 24 hours to give the digestive system a rest. When feeding is resumed, it is often recommended to add soluble fiber to the diet. Gradually, the amount of fiber can be reduced or fiber completely removed from the diet. For the first time after refeeding, it may be recommended to replace the protein source with one that the cat has not previously eaten, such as mutton, lamb, venison or rabbit. This is done to identify foods that cause food allergies in a cat. For some types of inflammation, a change in diet (for example, switching to a lamb and rice diet, or other prepared medicated foods) may be enough to treat. To quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, in addition to changing the diet, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Some cats require additional short-term medication to thicken the stool until the inflammation is under control.

Constipation in cats.

constipation are a common problem in cats. As a rule, constipation is fairly easy to manage. However, in more severe cases, symptoms can be severe. The longer the fecal matter remains in the colon, the drier and tougher it becomes and the more difficult it is to pass. obstipation- These are systematic constipations that are difficult to treat.

Prolonged constipation can cause blockages inside the intestines, narrowing of the intestines from outside influences, or neuromuscular problems in the colon itself. Obstruction is the most common cause, usually due to the inability to pass poorly digestible, often hard materials (eg, hair, bones) that are mixed with the fecal matter. Some cats with long-term constipation or constipation may experience megacolon, an expansion of the intestines due to weakened bowel muscle strength. The cause of megacolon often remains unexplained. Some medications, among the side effects, can cause constipation.

Symptoms of constipation are difficult bowel movements, hard and dry stools. Some cats experience lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal discomfort.

Cats suffering from constipation should drink more water. Mild constipation can often be relieved by feeding the cat a high-fiber diet and constant access to water, and by using (usually short-term) appropriate laxatives. It is clear that laxatives should only be used when prescribed by a veterinarian, as human medicines for a cat can be extremely dangerous. In severe cases, veterinarians may remove the faeces with an enema or other method while the cat is under general anesthesia. For chronic constipation or megacolon that does not respond to conventional treatment, surgery is performed to remove the affected section of the colon.

Read more about constipation in cats in a separate article.

Coronavirus enteritis in cats.

Coronavirus enteritis cats is a highly contagious disease transmitted through close contact. The disease is very closely related to the virus that causes the more serious disease, feline infectious peritonitis. Infection with the feline enteritis coronavirus causes inflammation in the small intestine, which is fortunately not usually fatal.

The virus is spread through the feces of infected cats. Close contact between cats is necessary for transmission, although the possibility of infection through contaminated objects also remains. In catteries, the virus can cause inflammation of the intestines (of varying severity) in kittens from 6 to 12 weeks. Recently weaned kittens may experience fever, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting 2 to 5 days. In more severe cases, kittens may refuse food for 1 to 3 days. In adult cats, the disease often occurs without visible signs.

Feline enteritis virus is extremely widespread, many recovered cats remain carriers. Coronavirus enteritis infection can only be prevented by minimizing cat fecal contact. Most cats develop an effective immune response after infection that persists after recovery. In the intestinal form of the disease, there are no symptoms of feline infectious peritonitis. However, if signs of the disease develop in cats with feline infectious peritonitis, the disease becomes fatal. Currently there is no specific management of the disease, cats should receive supportive care and, if necessary, fluid infusions.

Inflammation of the stomach in cats.

Gastritis(or inflammation of the stomach) in cats often begins due to the ingestion of objects that violate the integrity of the lining of the stomach. A common symptom of gastritis is nausea. With long-term gastritis, vomit may contain leftover food (such as grass), bile, foam, fresh blood, or digested blood (looks like coffee grounds). Often the inflammation is accompanied by diarrhea. Short-term or single vomiting usually does not cause the development of any additional disorders. On the contrary, nausea that persists for a long time can lead to weakness, lethargy, weight loss, dehydration and salt imbalance in the body. The prognosis for recovery depends on the cause of nausea and the success of the treatment of the primary disease.

Cat bowel cancer.

bowel cancer it is very rare in cats, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers. As a rule, cancerous tumors develop in the small intestine, more often in older cats. For most intestinal tumors, specific causes have not yet been identified. It is believed that the alimentary form of lymphoma (even with a negative test result for the virus) is caused by the feline leukemia virus. Intestinal tumors in cats are usually malignant and grow and spread rapidly.

The symptoms of tumors depend on the size and location of the tumor. These can be nausea (sometimes with blood), diarrhea (also with blood), weight loss, constipation and difficult bowel movements, abdominal pain, bloating, abdominal infections associated with intestinal damage. Cats with intestinal tumors may show signs of anemia, such as pale gums.

Diagnosis is based on the results of physical examinations and a study of the medical history. For confirmation, a biopsy of tissue samples is performed. The preferred treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. The prognosis of treatment depends on the prevalence of tumors of their type and the possibility of removal, therefore, it can be either very good or bad.

Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract in cats.

The inability to pass food from the stomach develops due to tumors, foreign objects, polyps and excessive growth of stomach tissue.

Intestinal obstruction may be complete or partial. Causes include foreign objects, intussusception (a condition in which one part of the intestine is embedded in another), strangulation (or incarceration, such as compression in a hernia), or tumors. Long thin objects (thread, yarn, fibers) can get stuck at the base of the cat's tongue. If the object is long enough to reach the bowel, then its normal movements cause a tearing and cutting effect on the walls, leading to intestinal perforation and increasing the risk of abdominal infections.

Symptoms of small bowel obstruction include lethargy, poor appetite, nausea, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen or when swallowing, fever or low temperature, and dehydration. For diagnosis, the veterinarian needs all possible information about the cat's eating habits. It is important to know whether the cat had access to threads, needles, etc., whether any items (for example, toys) were missing. Palpation of the abdominal region (gently feeling the internal organs with the hands) sometimes allows experienced veterinarians to determine the increase in some parts of the body, thickening of intestinal loops, or the presence of gases. An x-ray, ultrasound, or endoscopy is also used to identify the problem.

Cats with generalized signs of illness, such as depression or fever, respond well to intravenous fluids. If the obstruction cannot be removed using an endoscope, surgery is necessary. Cats with sudden onset of abdominal symptoms for which no cause is known and whose condition worsens may also require surgery. Many cats recover well after surgery.

Intestinal ulcer in cats.

intestinal ulcer are wounds in the stomach or intestinal surface caused by the action of gastric juice or digestive enzymes. Causes that can cause ulcers to form include certain medications, tumors, infections, and generalized illnesses.

Cats with intestinal ulcers may not show visible signs of illness. In other cases, there may be cases of nausea, sometimes with blood, and abdominal discomfort, which can be relieved after eating. Dark, tarry stools mean the presence of blood in it, pale gums (a sign of anemia). There may also be symptoms of the disease that led to the formation of the ulcer (for example, signs related to kidney failure).

If a cat has nausea, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, or sudden weight loss, veterinarians use special tests to determine the cause. An abdominal ultrasound or x-ray is used to confirm the diagnosis. In cases where the cause remains unclear or with obvious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach and intestines are often used for diagnosis.

For the treatment of intestinal ulcers, it is very important to determine the cause of the disease in order to eliminate it or bring it under control. It is critical to provide your cat with supportive care. Medications in the treatment of ulcers serve to reduce the acidity of the stomach, which prevents further destruction of its surface tissues and promotes healing of ulcers. As a rule, treatment lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. During treatment, a light diet (eg cottage cheese and rice or chicken and rice) should be followed.

Ideally, ulcer healing should be monitored by endoscopy. If the ulcers do not respond to medication, the next step is to take samples from the stomach and small intestine for biopsy. The prognosis for cats with peptic ulcers and benign tumors is good. In ulcers associated with renal or hepatic insufficiency, as well as with gastric carcinoma or gastrinomas, it is bad.

Inflammatory bowel disease in cats.

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease- this is a group of diseases of the digestive system, for which stable signs are certain, and inflammation begins without a clear reason. Forms of intestinal inflammation are classified according to the location and type of cells involved.

Inflammatory bowel disease can occur in cats of all ages, genders, and breeds, although it is slightly more common in purebreds (and possibly treated more frequently). On average, the disease begins in cats older than seven years. Symptoms are often observed for a long time, sometimes disappearing periodically - nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight. Inflammations can be difficult to diagnose, as their symptoms are characteristic of many other diseases.

Your veterinarian may recommend switching your cat to hypoallergenic or eliminated foods. This means that the cat will eat food with a source of protein that has not been eaten before. These formulations are commonly available from veterinary clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, or can be made at home. The cat should be fed only such food for at least 4 - 6 weeks and not take any medications not prescribed by a doctor. This type of diet is effective in controlling symptoms in some cats with inflammatory bowel disease, but is not effective in food sensitivities or food allergies. Only adding fiber to a cat's diet is rarely effective in severe cases.

Although inflammatory bowel disease in cats can often be controlled with a combination of diet and medication, the disease is rarely completely cured, so relapse is always a possibility.

Malabsorption in cats.

Malabsorption is poor absorption of nutrients due to disturbances in digestion, assimilation, or both. Digestive disorders in cats are usually associated with a lack of certain pancreatic enzymes (pancreatic insufficiency), and most cases of insufficient absorption are caused by diseases of the small intestine.

The symptoms of malabsorption are mainly due to insufficient absorption and loss of nutrients through the faeces. Typical symptoms include prolonged diarrhea, weight loss, and changes in appetite (decreased or increased excessively). However, diarrhea may be absent even in severe cases. Weight loss can be significant despite a good appetite. Cats with malabsorption usually remain otherwise healthy unless they have severe inflammation or cancer. Nonspecific signs include dehydration, anemia, and accumulation of fluid in the abdomen or other tissues. Thickening of the intestinal loops and an increase in the lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity are possible.

Diagnosing malabsorption in cats can be difficult, as prolonged diarrhea and weight loss are common symptoms in many diseases. Special laboratory tests help determine if symptoms are caused by an underlying multisystem or metabolic disease (eg, hyperthyroidism).

Treatment of malabsorption in cats is carried out by prescribing a special diet, treating complications and primary diseases (if they can be identified). Diet is an important element of treatment. Meals should generally contain moderate levels of protein from a limited number of sources, highly digestible carbohydrates, and a moderate amount of fat (to reduce fatty diarrhea). Your veterinarian may put your cat on an elimination diet that contains only one type of protein (such as lamb or venison) as a test for food sensitivities. If the response to the elimination diet is disappointing, the cat may be prescribed oral anti-inflammatory drugs.