Feline Gastroenteritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

“Why Do Cats Vomit? Reasons Cats Vomit and Diseases to Watch Out For,” as introduced in our article, cats are creatures that vomit quite often.

If it is a simple "regurgitation" where they just bring back up the food they just ate, there is usually not much to worry about. However, if the vomiting is caused by “gastroenteritis,” caution is necessary.

In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way the symptoms and causes of feline gastroenteritis, what treatments are required, and whether there are ways to prevent it.

What are the symptoms of feline gastroenteritis?

Feline gastroenteritis is a condition in which the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines become inflamed for some reason, causing digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It is the same as gastroenteritis in humans.

Gastroenteritis has both acute symptoms and chronic symptoms.

Acute gastroenteritis symptoms usually resolve within a few days to a week. If symptoms persist for more than a week, it is considered chronic gastroenteritis.

What are the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis causes severe symptoms such as repeated vomiting and diarrhea.

If your cat was fine just a moment ago but is now vomiting repeatedly, acute gastroenteritis might be the cause.

They may vomit yellow gastric juice or gastric juice mixed with blood, and their appetite will decrease. Since diarrhea is also a symptom, they may become lethargic due to dehydration.

What are the symptoms of chronic gastroenteritis?

Chronic gastroenteritis occurs when acute symptoms seem to subside but continue to return with vomiting or diarrhea at certain intervals.

Furthermore, symptoms such as weight loss, a dull coat, and general lethargy may be observed.

Causes of feline gastroenteritis

There are various causes for a cat to develop gastroenteritis. While food is often the cause, infectious diseases, stress, and accidental ingestion of foreign objects can also cause it.

Gastroenteritis caused by food

Eating spoiled food, cold food, food they aren't used to, or human food can cause gastroenteritis. In addition, overeating can also cause indigestion.

Gastroenteritis caused by infectious diseases

Viral or bacterial infections can cause gastroenteritis. In particular, "feline parvovirus infection", also known as feline viral enteritis or feline panleukopenia, is a dangerous disease that can be fatal.

Parasites can also be a cause, so be sure to observe what they vomit and their stool carefully.

Gastroenteritis caused by stress

In many cases, stress is the cause of gastroenteritis. While it depends on the cat's personality, sudden environmental changes are a major source of stress.

For instance, being left at a pet hotel, moving houses, changing the furniture layout, neighborhood construction work, new family members, guests, or adding a new cat to the household are major events for a cat.

Prolonged tension can make cats stop eating and cause digestive symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Gastroenteritis caused by accidental ingestion

Accidentally ingesting foreign objects can also cause gastroenteritis.

In particular, string-like toys can clog the digestive tract and cause severe symptoms if swallowed. Similarly, be aware of "hairballs," where fur accumulates in the stomach.

Also, watch out for poisoning from accidental ingestion of plants, human medicine, or chemicals.

How is feline gastroenteritis treated?

It is worrying when your cat is vomiting painfully or has had diarrhea for days and has become lethargic.

Mild cases of gastroenteritis may heal naturally, but you surely don't want your cat to suffer. If you notice your cat is unwell, take them to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

First, medication for nausea and diarrhea

To alleviate painful symptoms, anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications will be prescribed. If vomiting is severe and the cat cannot take oral medication, it will be administered via IV or injection. If there are signs of dehydration, fluid therapy via subcutaneous injection will be performed.

To give the stomach and intestines a rest, they may be fed a low-fat, easily digestible therapeutic diet.

Furthermore, treatment according to symptoms

In addition to the supportive care mentioned above, treatment tailored to the cause will be carried out after checking the cat's general condition through blood tests, X-rays, or ultrasounds.

If they have ingested a foreign object, it will be removed via endoscopy or surgery. If hairballs are the cause, they may be prescribed medication to help pass the hair, and brushing will be recommended.

If parasites are the cause, they will be dewormed, and if an infection is suspected, antibiotics may be used.

Is feline gastroenteritis contagious to humans?

While the virus won't spread from the cat to the owner, caution is needed for infections caused by bacteria or parasites.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up vomit or the litter box, or after touching your cat.

How can feline gastroenteritis be prevented?

Feline gastroenteritis can be prevented by understanding its causes thoroughly. For the sake of your cat's health, take solid measures to prevent it.

Keep bowls and drinking water clean

Wet food spoils easily, so be extra careful during humid rainy seasons or summer. Avoid leaving it out. Keep in mind that bacteria also breed easily in dishes and water bowls.

When switching foods, do it gradually over about two weeks while carefully observing your cat's behavior and stool condition.

Don't forget vaccinations and parasite prevention

Feline parvovirus infection can be almost entirely avoided by vaccination. The feline parvovirus vaccine is a core vaccine included in the triple combo vaccine.

Furthermore, by thoroughly preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworms, you can reduce the chances of gastroenteritis caused by parasites.

Since owners can unknowingly bring in viruses and parasites from the outside, regular preventative measures are necessary even for indoor-only cats.

Make an effort to reduce stress as much as possible

Many cats find going out or having guests stressful. They are also very vulnerable to environmental changes.

Since it's difficult to completely eliminate going out or visitors, try to get them used to it gradually. Use treats effectively so they learn that “going out/guests = good things happen,” and deal with it patiently.

Keep your cat's living environment tidy

To prevent your cat from accidentally ingesting foreign objects, keep their living space organized at all times.

Keep food, medicine, and detergents out of reach so they don't accidentally consume them. Especially for toys with feathers or string-like items, only bring them out when playing.

Summary

Just like humans, cats can develop gastroenteritis due to food, stress, or infections.

It is easy to panic when your cat looks uncomfortable, but observing your cat's condition carefully is also important. This is because the information you provide helps the veterinarian reach an accurate diagnosis.

Be sure to tell your veterinarian clearly when your cat started feeling unwell, what the vomiting looked like, how often it happened, what they vomited, and whether they have diarrhea.

Poponeko's original Cat Health Handbook is a convenient notebook where you can record vaccination and parasite prevention history, as well as make notes about anything you notice.

Why not get closer to your cat's health with a handbook specialized for managing your cat's health?

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