Inflammation of the intestines in a cat, symptoms and treatment. Stomach diseases in cats: common signs and diagnosis of diseases

The intestine is a vital part immune system, and some inflammatory bowel diseases and food allergies may be a sign of a problem with the immune system.

Diarrhea

Indigestion can lead to diarrhea. It may be painful, vomit, or contain blood or mucus. It may also be accompanied by an increase or loss of appetite, normal behavior or severe lethargy. From these features, one can deduce possible reasons diarrhea. They include:

eating grass;

Food allergies or sensitivities to certain foods;

Viruses (FIE, FeLV, FIV, FCoV);

Bacteria (eg Campylobacter);

Medicines;

Hyperthyroidism.

Treatment. Diarrhea is treated symptomatically. The cause, if known, is eliminated. For a few hours do not feed the cat, but let her drink. Infusion therapy needed when diarrhea is caused by CIE (feline infectious enteritis).

Many experts advise providing the cat with a constant diet so that the intestinal flora constantly receives the same food that is familiar to her. Antibiotics are only used if the diarrhea is caused by an infection. If you notice your cat is lethargic, has a fever, or has bloody stools, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

These words refer to a group of diseases that are increasingly common in cats, related to the immune system. Cats affected by this disease are usually middle-aged and have chronic vomiting and diarrhea, they defecate more than usual, stop using the litter box, lose weight, and look malnourished.

Treatment. The veterinarian will prescribe a diet for the cat low content allergens and drugs that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids.

Intestinal blockage

Most common cause bowel obstruction - a tumor of the gastrointestinal tract intestinal tract. Affected cats begin to vomit, have diarrhea, and lose weight. By this time, the veterinarian may feel a tumor in the abdomen. Surgical removal tumor and adjacent tissues solves this problem, if only the tumor has not had time to spread.

Constipation

Although constipation in cats is not so a rare event, they can carry serious threat health in the event that the rectum expands (this is called megacolon) and ceases to function normally. In most cases, the cause of megacolon is unknown, it can be caused by wrong diet, injury, or neuromuscular disease. Cats with constipation may vomit, be depressed, refuse to eat, and have difficulty defecation.

Irritation of the anal sacs

A blockage or infection of the anal sacs causes the cat to lick the affected area so vigorously that it licks the fur off hind legs and belly. Irritation from worms also leads to licking, but not as intense. From the infection, swelling occurs on the corresponding side, to the right or left of the anus.

Treatment. The veterinarian may empty the clogged pouch if there are no complications. If the pouch is swollen and breaks through the skin, forming a oozing sore, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

Bloating

Obesity is the most common cause of bloating. Other possible causes include tumors, fluid accumulation (ascites), which most often develops as a result of feline infectious peritonitis (see right) or liver disease; and overall increase organs as a result of an infection, such as the uterus (pyometra), a malfunction of the immune system (enlarged spleen), or hyperfunction thyroid gland(enlarged liver). If your cat has a bloated belly and the cause is unknown, take her to the veterinarian.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

Some strains of KKB can cause mild diarrhea. Others cause a serious, sometimes fatal infection called feline infectious peritonitis(KIP). In large cat "communes" these viruses are transmitted through shared litters and mutual licking. CIP manifests itself in two various forms: "dry", usually affecting the lungs, and "wet", leading to accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity(ascites).

Prevention and treatment. If one or two cats live in the house, the risk is low. If new cats are introduced, they should have their blood tested for CCM. To reduce the risk of infection, wash the litter box daily and put away cat food away from the tray. Nasal vaccine is not recommended for routine vaccinations, but theoretically it can be used to instill healthy cats if there is a risk of FCoV infection. The mainstay of treatment is drugs that suppress the activity of the immune system, such as corticosteroids. Unfortunately, if a cat is already infected (ascites), it can hardly be helped.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite (anorexia) can be caused by a number of causes, including those outside the gastrointestinal tract. These include pain, injury, illness, fear, stress, hard food and loss of smell. If your cat refuses food, you should consult your veterinarian.

Liver and pancreas disorders

Disease small intestine can spread to the bile duct, which goes to the liver and connects to the pancreas. Diseases only in cats small intestine can lead to diseases of the liver and pancreas. Also, many diseases lead to hepatic lipidosis, which is the most common liver disease.

Hepatic lipidosis (HL). GL in cats, especially in fat ones, occurs 2 times more often than in cats. It can be called poor diet, obesity, other diseases and simply starvation. fat cells accumulate in the liver, and the animal refuses food and loses weight.

Treatment. GL can threaten the life of the animal. The cat must eat, and most effective method provide the body right amount liquids and nutrients- this is surgically install gastric tube(gastrostomy) for about a month.

Liver shunt. As a result chronic disease liver blood vessels from the intestines can bypass the liver. The blood is not cleansed harmful substances coming from the intestines, such as ammonia. These substances remain circulatory system and eventually cause brain inflammation. The cat becomes lethargic, she begins to stumble and shed saliva, she begins to have seizures or convulsions. Treatment. This disease is treated special diet or surgery.

Drug-induced liver disease. Some drugs that are harmless to humans and dogs can be poisonous to cats and cause hepatitis. They include:

Acetaminophen;

Aspirin;

Supplements containing iron;

Glipizil (to treat diabetes);

Kegoconazole;

methimazole (for the treatment of hyperthyroidism)

Diseases of the pancreas

Chronic (persistent) inflammation is the most common pancreatic disease in cats. Its symptoms are characteristic of many other diseases - vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. Cat blood tests do not provide reliable information. A biopsy is necessary for a correct diagnosis. Chronic pancreatitis often accompanies other diseases of the liver and intestines.

Cats rarely suffer from acute (sudden) inflammation of the pancreas or from exocrine insufficiency pancreas is the most common pancreatic disease in dogs. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps the tags absorb glucose. The lack of insulin raises the blood sugar level, and this leads to diabetes mellitus, which affects one in 200-400 cats. The blood sugar level alone is not the basis for a diagnosis. diabetes". Even a little stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Cats with diabetes drink and urinate a lot and lose weight. The disease develops slowly, and therefore its onset goes unnoticed by the owner.

Treatment. Diabetes is often treated with insulin injections and dietary high content protein and low fat. Preparations for oral administration also help lower blood sugar levels.

If a cataract develops as a result of diabetes, its development is irreversible.

Read also

Mar 20
Fashion and style is always hot topics for conversations
Mar 12
Self-development is very important for every person. Need it
Mar 12
Carpets in the room create a feeling of comfort and warmth. From time immemorial they
Mar 11
Prints and embellishments on clothes are not the last influence on
Mar 5
To get started, you need to create financial plan, which will reflect how much
Mar 5
Russia is rich in beauty. Pieces of this beauty can be given as a keepsake
Feb 26
Unfortunately, cats often suffer various diseases stomach and intestines, which often reduces.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cats

Unfortunately, many pets experience gastrointestinal diseases throughout their lives.

Colitis

Colitis can be a real challenge for your pet.

Inflammatory processes in the large intestine are called colitis.. In the thick section, water is absorbed and stool is formed. The inflammatory processes that have arisen there lead to dysmotility, as a result of which there is a failure in the normal absorption of water and the formation of feces.

The reasons

One specific cause of this pathology does not exist. It is believed that the appearance of inflammation is accompanied by the following factors:

Diagnosis and symptoms

Cat colonoscopy will help make the correct diagnosis.
staging accurate diagnosis depends, first of all, on the correct differentiation of other diseases.

Typical symptoms:
1. frequent bowel movements
2. liquid faeces,
3. in small portions.
Often present in feces mucus or blood , atypical color, with pungent odor. There are false acts of defecation. Possible and sharp pain in a stomach.

Treatment

Well medical measures prescribed by a veterinarian. Usually, the signs of pathology disappear in a week, with the right treatment.
- Showing antibiotics - tylosin.
  Vets often prescribe Tylosin for colitis.
- Recommended use antiprotozoal drugs metronidazole, furazolidone.
- For preservation of microflora - probiotics: linex, bactisubtil, vetom, lactobifid, lactoferon.
- Bloating and require the use of smecta.
- When - corticosteroids in the form of prednisone.
- chronic colitis treated with anti-inflammatory drugs - sulfazalin, azathioprine.
  The anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine is also effective in treating colitis in cats.
cat constipation

The inability of the cat to go to the toilet normally - serious problem for both the cat and the owner.

Prolonged systematic constipation leads to serious disorders in the body and are called obstipation. This phenomenon is difficult and long to treat. Reasons leading to this phenomenon a little.

Most often this indicates. Obstruction may be due to anatomical features animal or acquired through external influences such as getting wool or other foreign objects.

The main symptoms are difficult act of defecation , stool hard and dry. refuses to feed. In some cases, there may be nausea, depression, vomiting, pain in the abdomen.

With constipation, it is necessary to give the cat as much water as possible.

Help with constipation is to provide plentiful drink, transferring the cat to a diet containing fiber. Mild laxatives may be used herbal infusions. In advanced and severe cases, cleansing enemas are indicated or through surgical assistance.

Coronavirus enteritis

The disease is contagious infectious nature, causes a complication in the form .

Coronavirus enteritis is very dangerous for cats and can be fatal!

Caused by inflammatory processes in thin department intestines.
- Can leak asymptomatically - the cat is a carrier of infection, while infecting other animals.
- AT mild form - slight malaise with mild symptoms.
- severe form - the inflammatory process manifests itself not only in the thin section, but also affects most of the digestive system accompanied by complications throughout the body.
Ends in most cases lethal outcome . The causative factor is the Coronaviriadea virus. provokes a strain of this type of virus - FECV. Young individuals up to two years old and elderly representatives older than twelve years old fall into the risk zone.

signs

The refusal of a cat to eat should alert every owner.

The most prominent symptoms of the disease are intestinal disorders: diarrhea, loss of appetite, sometimes vomiting may be present.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment regimen for coronavirus enteritis.

They resort to maintenance therapy in the form of the appointment of immunomodulators and temporary relief with antibiotic therapy. It is recommended to provide your pet with quality care, balanced feeding. In some cases, ascitic fluid is removed, but there is a risk of the disease progressing to a dry course.

At coronavirus enteritis antibiotics can help, as can good pet care.

Gastritis

Provoking factors

There are many reasons for the appearance of gastritis, and all of them are closely related to poor care and inattentive attitude towards the pet. The emergence factors are:

Each individual cause must be dealt with, otherwise it threatens with serious problems.

Symptoms

The nature of the symptoms depends on the form of the course of the disease. They are distinguished by two: chronic form and sharp.
1. chronic course characterized by decreased appetite, drowsiness, decreased activity of the cat, aching pains in a stomach. With this type of flow, the symptoms last only a few days, then disappear.
2. acute form manifested in sharp pain, stench from oral cavity. visible on the tongue white coating, in the stomach growls. Possible alternation and constipation, while leaving residues undigested food. There is vomiting, often foamy, less often yellow. Emaciation, dull coat, pale or yellowish mucous membranes.
Acute treatment

The acute form is treated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, enveloping agents.

Severe course to relieve intoxication and replenish lost fluid. Antiemetics, antispasmodics and analgesics are prescribed. Recommended use sedatives. Along with this, a strict diet is shown.
As much as we'd like to believe it, domestic cats don't have "nine lives" by far. Diseases of the stomach pose a considerable danger to these animals. In cats, they are relatively widespread, causing many problems.
Affected animals have a wide range clinical signs. Weight loss, which is adjacent to a normal appetite, is most characteristic of most cases. This is especially noticeable in the example of the spine, which can be felt in all details. Vomiting is very characteristic, in which not only bile and blood are found, but also many lumps of felted wool.
Attention! I would like to especially dwell on the last sign: contrary to the opinion of "experts", hairballs are "not the norm" for cats. Their presence is enough hallmark for many diseases of the stomach!

Many cats with these pathologies, on the contrary, stop eating. Others simply lose their appetite. It is important to remember that similar Clinical signs are also quite characteristic of diseases of the liver, kidneys and other internal organs. If you find any of the symptoms described in the article, immediately take your pet to the veterinarian. The main problems are caused by the following ailments:
- Inflammation of the stomach, aka.
- "Clogging" of the organ cavity with hairballs.
- . Of course, this disease refers directly to the stomach only indirectly.
- , which are also provoked by stomach problems.
Let's consider some of these pathologies in a little more detail, specifying not only them common features but also their basic therapy. We’ll warn you right away that you don’t need to treat them yourself, as you will only cause even more harm to the animal!
Read also: Ascaris in cats: ways of infection, diagnosis and treatment methods
Gastritis
Perhaps almost every adult is familiar with this disease. The symptoms are simple: alternating constipation and diarrhea, vomiting is quite characteristic, a pain reaction is possible with palpation of the abdomen. The causes of gastritis can be both many infectious diseases and negative environmental factors, up to the animals eating poor-quality and poisonous feed. In some cases, some serious metabolic disorders lead to this pathology, leading to a sharp decrease in the acidity of the digestive juice produced. As a result, the bactericidal activity of this secret is reduced, food can rot right in the gastrointestinal tract, due to which an inflammatory reaction quickly develops.
Accumulation of hairballs
Wool enters the cat's stomach when the animal licks its coat every day. Cats swallow a relatively large amount of hair, and this is especially true for long-haired breeds. When a “critical mass” is accumulated, they begin to come out in the form of hairballs, which the cat coughs up or regurgitates. If this is observed in your pet constantly, you will have to think about light diet, which would contribute to the natural migration of these stones. In severe cases, they can not only contribute to the same gastritis or even an ulcer (due to constant irritation of the walls of the stomach), but also cause obstruction. It can be treated only through urgent surgical intervention.
pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas is called. It occurs due to the action of bacterial or viral agents, as a result of injuries, illegally prescribed drugs, and also for other reasons. Of course, this ailment cannot be attributed directly to diseases of the stomach, but it often occurs against the background of gastritis, ulcerative and tumor pathologies of the latter. Signs can be pain reactions to palpation of the abdomen, digestive disorders. The diagnosis is made only on the basis of diagnostic studies. This pathology is treated comprehensively, variably, prescribing antibiotics, other antimicrobials. On the contrary, in some cases it is necessary to interrupt the course of treatment if the drugs used have a bad effect on the state of the pancreas.
Read also: Signs of rabies in a domestic cat
constipation
It is commonly believed that these disorders are caused solely by intestinal problems in animals, but this is far from the case. It is problems with the stomach that provoke poor absorption of food, which negatively affects the motility of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Keep in mind that it is constipation that often indicates the presence of gastritis or other gastric pathology. The disease is treated based on the root cause that caused it. But almost always assigned. The composition of cat food that is used at this time must necessarily include a large amount of highly digestible dietary fiber and fiber. Boiled and blended vegetables are a good source. In order for the cat to eat them, the gruel is diluted with chicken broth.
stomach ulcer
Develops against the background of acute or chronic gastritis. Highly unpleasant disease, since there is practically no chance of spontaneous tightening, but there is a probability of perforation of its wall, and far from zero. Symptoms are similar to those of gastritis: refusal to feed, vomiting is possible, and there will certainly be blood in the vomit, pain on palpation of the abdomen. Treatment is urgently needed. It should be borne in mind that the relationship between chronic kidney failure and diseases of the stomach, so it is very likely that the kidneys will also have to be treated at the same time.
In cats, compositum and Berberis-homaccord preparations are often used to scar ulcers, even the “human” Alma-Gel and similar drugs can be prescribed. Please note that the disease is very serious, and therefore only a doctor should deal with all this!

Inflammatory bowel disease in cats is a class of chronic idiopathic changes in the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, which are characterized by a significant infiltration of inflammatory particles. In general, inflammation can affect the stomach, small and large intestines.

Increased sensitivity may appear due to primary, probably genetic changes. Manifest a second time as a result of damage to the mucous membrane, excessive bacterial growth, bacterial or viral infection, invasion of microorganisms or fungi, increased sensitivity to food ingredients, neoplasia, metabolic disorders, cholangitis, pancreatitis. Increased sensitivity to antigens increases mucosal permeability by passing antigens through the mucosa from the middle of the intestine. As a result, inflammation and subsequent violation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract appear. It is worth noting that inflammatory bowel disease can develop in a cat of any age and gender.

The main symptoms of inflammation of the intestine in a cat.

The main disease manifests itself in a rapid decrease in the weight of the animal, vomiting and diarrhea in any ratio. Weight loss can occur as a result of a change in the function of absorption or in the absence of appetite (occurs on final stages disease development). Vomiting often has an intermittent character and may occur several days or weeks after the onset of the disease. Vomiting does not always correlate with food intake. The vomit may consist of foam, fluid with bile, food, and sometimes blood. During diarrhea, the stool can vary in condition from almost formed to completely thin and clear. There may be a significant presence of mucus and blood and an increase in the frequency of defecation. All of these symptoms can increase or decrease, depending on the type and severity. inflammatory process. In the process of inspection, large deviations are often not detected, and in general only thinness can be noticed. During palpation, there is thickening of the intestine, expansion lymph nodes and significant gastrointestinal discomfort.

Correct diagnosis of intestinal inflammation in a cat.

The main tasks of treatment are the removal of the cause of antigenic stimulation and the exclusion inflammatory response gastrointestinal tract. Typically, treatment consists of diet therapy, corticosteroids in amounts to help suppress the immune system, and antibiotics to slow down. bacterial growth. Optimal treatment is made individually for each animal. In case of relapses, it is necessary to include more effective immunosuppressants in the treatment system. Regarding the diet, it can contain only one source of simply digestible protein, better than never included in the cat's diet before. The following components should be observed in the diet: a small content of food additives, with no gluten and lactose, a low content of indigestible substances, a low level of fat. A balanced ratio of vitamins and salts, namely B vitamins and necessarily Potassium. The diet must contain carbohydrates. In the case of a disease of the large intestine, a diet with a high concentration of fiber is necessary. During treatment, animals should not eat other food. Also used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease aids: substances affecting peristalsis (during severe diarrhea), antiemetics, in case of malabsorption, cobalamin and folate may be necessary. Prebiotics are used to reverse the state intestinal flora and probiotics to replenish beneficial gut micro-organisms. As a source of energy for the cells of the mucous membrane of the tract, Glutamine should be given. Used different kind nutritional supplements that have a weak anti-inflammatory effect (vitamins A, E and C).

A disease of the gastrointestinal tract is a disease in which so-called inflammatory cells- cells formed in the body during wounds or injuries - lymphocytes and plasmacytes responsible for immune reactions organism, eosinophils, neutrophils responsible for cleaning damaged tissues. At chronic inflammation normal tissue may be replaced by fibrous (scar-like) tissue.

Causes of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in cats. Exact reasons The occurrence of this type of disease in cats is unknown. Genetic predisposition, diet, various infections and malfunction of the immune system. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract may not be a disease per se, but a characteristic reaction of the body to certain conditions caused by various factors.

Nevsky masquerade cat Ginseng Reve Bleu Fleur de l'Amour. Vl. Ksenia Budanova

The types of cells that invade the intestine determine the shape inflammatory disease.

What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal disease in cats? The disease is characterized by diarrhea and vomiting that occur depending on the area of the gastrointestinal tract. Damage to the stomach and upper small intestine causes vomiting, and damage to the large intestine causes diarrhea. Sometimes the stool becomes more frequent, but each time it becomes less and less. Mucus and blood often appear in the stool. In severe cases, the animal is depressed, refuses to eat, loses weight, and has a fever. In some cats, the only symptoms of intestinal inflammation are bloody stool or weight loss. Others stop using the litter box when defecation.
A veterinarian may suspect an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract if the animal has a long period time of vomiting, diarrhea, the presence of mucus or blood in the stool.

On examination, the animal looks thin; in some cats, a thickened intestine can be felt.

Laboratory studies, as a rule, show nothing. With very serious inflammation, the lesion can affect neighboring organs - the liver and pancreas. As a result of this, the content of liver enzymes and amylase, which is produced by the pancreas, increases in the body. In the blood, a decrease in protein levels is possible, and with severe vomiting there may be a decrease in the level of electrolytes, especially potassium.

In most cases, the blood test is normal, although anemia can sometimes develop. Some animals have eosinophils in their blood.

X-ray and ultrasound procedure usually does not provide any data. Sometimes thickening of the intestines and accumulation of gas can be noticeable, but this happens with many diseases.

The only way to diagnose an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract is through a biopsy. It will show the presence increased amount inflammatory cells in the walls of the small intestine and the type of these cells. A biopsy will reveal microscopic changes in tissues that are not visible to the naked eye. In other diseases, damage to the gastrointestinal tract is quite obvious.

Treatment of inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment usually consists of different diets and medicines.

Diet. At the first stage of treatment, a food test is needed - use hypoallergenic products, sources of protein and carbohydrates that the animal has not previously eaten, such as duck and potatoes. The animal should not eat anything else and should not take any medication. Such a test should continue for 2-3 months.

If the health of the animal does not improve with such a diet, then you need to try other foods.

If the disease is mainly affected colon, then it is useful to give food rich in fiber. You can add oat bran to the feed. If the lesion has affected the small intestine, then some animals may benefit from a well-digestible, low-fiber diet. Low gluten carbohydrates are also helpful.

Do not give food containing wheat, oats, rye and barley. Sometimes the animal is fed natural homemade food, but it is rarely balanced and therefore a commercial feed is preferable for a long period of time.

Obviously you can try a large number of different diets before the animal shows a visible improvement in health. This requires a lot of patience from the owner.

Fatty acid. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to help reduce gastrointestinal inflammation. Eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid ( fatty acid derived from fish oil) are beneficial to humans, but further research is needed to determine if they also have positive impact on the body of cats.

Medication treatment. To reduce the number of inflammatory cells, various medications. Azathioprine and cyclophosphamide: These medicines suppress the immune system and are usually used only when other treatments have failed or in combination with corticosteroids. These medicines may negative impact on functions bone marrow, so that when using them, careful monitoring of the state of health and regular tests blood.

Metronidazole: Metronidazole may be used alone or in combination with corticosteroids. This drug also suppresses the functions of the immune system.

Constituents sulfasalazine and mesalamine: They are part of drugs for dogs that are used for lesions of the small intestine. Sulfasalazine belongs to salicylates (which also includes aspirin), and these substances are very toxic to cats.

Medications that affect contractility bowel (motility): Medicines for diarrhea such as loperamide (imodium) or diphenoxylate (lomotil) can be quite helpful. In some cases positive effect They also provide antispasmodics.

New drugs have been invented for people that are used to treat Crohn's disease and inflammation of the intestines. However, there are no data yet on their use in cats. Some of these medicines include cyclosporine, sodium chromoglycate, and clonidine.

Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be controlled, but not cured. Control means choosing the right diet and medications, not violating the dosage, constantly monitoring the health of the animal and contacting the veterinarian, preventing the appearance of concomitant diseases. But even in spite of this, an exacerbation of the disease can occur.

Copyright holder: portal Zooclub
When reprinting this article, an active link to the source is MANDATORY.