If you are a cat owner, you know how distressing it can be to see your furry friend suffer from loose motions. Loose motions, or diarrhea, can have many causes, such as dietary changes, infections, parasites, stress, or underlying diseases. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition, so it is important to treat it as soon as possible. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes, symptoms, and treatments of cat loose motion, and how to prevent it from happening again.
The best medicine for cat loose motion depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Some cases of mild diarrhea can be treated at home with simple remedies, such as switching to a bland diet, keeping your cat hydrated, and adding probiotics to their food. However, if your cat has severe, bloody, or persistent diarrhea, or if they show signs of dehydration, fever, vomiting, or lethargy, you should take them to the vet immediately.
How to Identify the Cause of Cat Loose Motion?
Check the color and consistency of the stool
The color and consistency of your cat’s stool can give you some clues about the cause of their loose motion. For example:
- Yellow or green stool may indicate a bacterial infection, liver disease, or intestinal parasites
- Black or tarry stool may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from an ulcer, tumor, or foreign body
- Red or bloody stool may indicate bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as from colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer
- Mucus or pus in the stool may indicate inflammation, infection, or ulceration of the intestinal lining
- Foamy or greasy stool may indicate malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, or food intolerance
Check the frequency and duration of the diarrhea
The frequency and duration of your cat’s diarrhea can also help you determine the cause and severity of their loose motion. For example:
- Acute diarrhea is sudden and lasts for less than two weeks. It is usually caused by dietary changes, infections, toxins, or stress
- Chronic diarrhea is persistent and lasts for more than two weeks. It is usually caused by underlying diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, or cancer
- Intermittent diarrhea is recurring and alternates with periods of normal stool. It may be caused by parasites, food intolerance, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Check for other signs and symptoms
Your cat may also show other signs and symptoms that can help you identify the cause of their loose motion. For example:
- Dehydration is a common complication of diarrhea and can be life-threatening if not treated. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, sunken eyes, skin tenting, and lethargy.
- Fever is a sign of infection or inflammation, and can be measured by a rectal thermometer. A normal cat temperature is between 100.4°F and 102.5°F. Anything above 103°F is considered a fever.
- Vomiting is a sign of gastrointestinal irritation or obstruction, and can also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. If your cat vomits more than once, or if they vomit blood, bile, or foreign material, you should take them to the vet.
- Weight loss is a sign of malnutrition or chronic disease, and can affect your cat’s immune system and overall health. If your cat loses more than 10% of their body weight, or if they have a poor appetite, you should take them to the vet.
Cat Loose Motion Medicine Name
Your vet will examine your cat, take their medical history, and perform some tests, such as blood work, fecal analysis, x-rays, or ultrasound, to determine the cause and severity of their loose motion. Based on the diagnosis, your vet will prescribe the best medicine for your cat’s loose motion. Some of the possible medications include:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections that cause diarrhea, such as salmonella, campylobacter, or clostridium. Some common antibiotics for cats include amoxicillin, metronidazole, enrofloxacin, and doxycycline.
- Anti-parasitic drugs: Anti-parasitic drugs are used to treat parasitic infections that cause diarrhea, such as worms, giardia, or coccidia. Some common anti-parasitic drugs for cats include fenbendazole, praziquantel, pyrantel, and ivermectin.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat inflammation and pain that cause diarrhea, such as from colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. Some common anti-inflammatory drugs for cats include prednisolone, budesonide, and meloxicam.
How to Treat Cat Loose Motion at Home?
If your cat has mild diarrhea that is not accompanied by other signs and symptoms, you may be able to treat it at home with some simple remedies. Here are some tips on how to treat cat loose motion at home:
- Switch to a bland diet: A bland diet can help soothe your cat’s digestive system and reduce the frequency and volume of their loose motions. You can feed your cat small portions of boiled skinless chicken breast and white rice, or a commercial bland diet recommended by your vet.
- Keep your cat hydrated: Diarrhea can cause your cat to lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration and other complications. Make sure your cat has access to plenty of fresh, clean water, and check their water bowl often. You can also offer them some rice water, which is the leftover water after you cook rice on the stovetop.
- Add probiotics to their food: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore the balance of the gut flora and improve your cat’s digestive health. You can add some plain yogurt, kefir, or a commercial probiotic supplement to your cat’s food, or sprinkle some on top of their dry food.
- Avoid dairy products, spicy foods, and human foods. Dairy products, spicy foods, and human foods can worsen your cat’s diarrhea, as they can be hard to digest, cause inflammation, or trigger allergic reactions. Avoid giving your cat any milk, cheese, ice cream, chocolate, onion, garlic, or anything that is not meant for cats.
Conclusion
Cat loose motion, or diarrhea, can have many causes, symptoms, and treatments. It can be a mild and temporary condition or a serious and chronic one. It can affect your cat’s quality of life, and lead to complications, such as dehydration, malnutrition, and infection. Therefore, it is important to identify and treat the cause of your cat’s loose motion as soon as possible and prevent it from happening again.
The best medicine for cat loose motion will depend on your cat’s condition and response to treatment. You should consult your vet for the best diagnosis and treatment for your cat, and follow their instructions carefully. By doing so, you can help your cat overcome their loose motion, and enjoy a long and healthy life with you.