Enteritis, an inflammation of the small intestine in cats, is a frequent diagnosis in veterinary medicine. This condition ranges in severity from mild, transient episodes to serious, life-threatening illness. The inflammation disrupts the intestine’s normal function, interfering with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, which prompts owners to seek veterinary care.
Common Causes of Enteritis in Cats
The causes of feline enteritis are diverse. Infectious agents include viruses like Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), which is highly contagious and dangerous for kittens and unvaccinated cats. Bacterial infections, such as those from Salmonella or Campylobacter, are often acquired from contaminated food or environments.
Parasitic infections are another source of enteritis. Protozoa like Giardia and Coccidia disrupt the intestinal lining. Intestinal worms, including roundworms and hookworms, can also cause irritation and damage to the intestinal tract.
Dietary issues are a common trigger. Sudden changes in a cat’s diet can overwhelm the digestive system. Dietary indiscretion, where a cat eats spoiled food, non-food items, or toxic plants, can cause acute enteritis. Underlying food intolerances or allergies to specific ingredients, often proteins, can also be a cause.
Other factors include Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a condition of chronic gastrointestinal inflammation without a known cause. Exposure to toxins or certain medications can irritate the intestinal lining. In some cats, stress has been implicated as a potential trigger for gastrointestinal upset.
Symptoms of Feline Enteritis
The most common symptom of enteritis is diarrhea, which can range from soft-formed stool to watery liquid and may contain blood or mucus. Vomiting is also common, and together with diarrhea, it increases the risk of dehydration.
A cat with enteritis will often display behavioral changes. Lethargy or a decrease in energy levels is common, as is a loss of appetite due to nausea or abdominal discomfort.
Signs of abdominal pain may be subtle. An owner might observe their cat hiding, showing reluctance to be handled, or assuming a hunched posture. These symptoms, particularly when they appear together, signal a need for veterinary attention to prevent complications and electrolyte imbalances.
Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment
A veterinarian will begin with a physical examination and a discussion of the cat’s history, including diet, potential exposures, and vaccination status. To reach a definitive diagnosis, several tests may be used.
A fecal analysis is a standard diagnostic step to check for intestinal parasites like worms, Giardia, and Coccidia. Blood work, including a complete blood count and chemistry panel, provides information about the cat’s overall health, revealing signs of infection, anemia, or dehydration, and assessing the function of organs like the liver and kidneys. In some cases, imaging such as X-rays or an abdominal ultrasound may be recommended to look for foreign objects, tumors, or structural changes in the intestines.
Treatment for enteritis is multifaceted, focusing on both supportive care and addressing the specific underlying cause. Supportive care aims to alleviate symptoms and stabilize the cat. This often includes fluid therapy, administered either under the skin (subcutaneously) or directly into a vein (intravenously), to correct dehydration. Medications to control vomiting and diarrhea may also be prescribed, along with probiotics to help restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Specific treatment targets the diagnosed cause. For example, parasitic infections are treated with deworming or anti-protozoal medications. Bacterial infections may require a course of antibiotics. If a dietary issue is suspected, a veterinarian will likely recommend a temporary bland diet or a longer-term hypoallergenic or novel protein diet to allow the intestines to heal and to identify potential food allergies.
Recovery and Management at Home
Following a veterinary visit, home care is important for a cat’s recovery from enteritis. This begins with administering all prescribed medications, such as antibiotics or anti-nausea drugs, for the full duration recommended by the veterinarian. Completing the entire course is necessary to resolve the underlying issue and prevent a relapse.
Dietary management is a part of recovery. A veterinarian will often prescribe a highly digestible, bland diet for a few days to give the inflamed intestines a rest. Following this, a gradual transition back to the cat’s regular food, or to a new therapeutic diet if recommended, is important. Throughout this period, ensuring the cat has constant access to fresh, clean water is imperative to prevent dehydration.
Monitoring the cat’s progress is a daily task for the owner. Signs of improvement include:
- A returning appetite
- Firmer stools
- Cessation of vomiting
- Increased energy levels
Conversely, if symptoms worsen, or if the cat refuses to eat or drink, it is important to contact the veterinarian promptly. A lack of improvement within a couple of days may indicate a need for a follow-up visit or a change in the treatment plan.