Watery, Slimy, or Bloody Diarrhea in cats
When to visit the vet?
Urgent see a veterinarian within 24 hours
RED for blood/tarry stool, dehydration, collapse, very young/old, Fever, or concurrent Vomiting.
Unsure about what’s wrong with your pet? Feel free to use our Symptom Checker for more clarity
Definition
Can Occur with the Following Diseases:
- Acute Liver Insufficiency (Acute Liver Failure)
- Acute Kidney Injury, AKI (Acute Renal Failure)
- Amitraz Toxicosis (Poisoning from Tick Collar)
- Amphetamine Intoxication (Amphetamine Poisoning)
- Amyloidosis (Protein Deposits in the Body)
- Anaplasmosis (Parasitic Infection Caused by Anaplasma Species)
- Aspergillosis (Fungal Infection with Aspergillus Species)
- Aspirin Intoxication (Aspirin Poisoning)
- Ascites (Fluid Accumulation in the Abdomen)
- Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Anemia Related to the Immune System)
- Azotemia, Uremia (High Levels of Nitrogenous Metabolic Products in the Blood)
- Bacterial Pneumonia
- Clostridium Piliforme Infection (Bacterial Infection with Clostridia, Tyzzer's Disease)
- Colibacillosis (Bacterial Intestinal Infection with Escherichia Coli)
- Intussusception (Intestinal Invagination)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Suppurative Hepatitis and Liver Abscesses
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (Inflammation of the Stomach and Intestines with the Presence of Special White Blood Cells)
- Petroleum Product Toxicosis (Poisoning from Petroleum Products)
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, EPI (Pancreatic Hypofunction)
- Feline Amebiasis (Parasitic Infection with Amoebae, Amoebic Dysentery in Cats)
- Feline Dysautonomia, Key-Gaskell Syndrome (Malfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System)
- Feline Enteric Coronavirus Infection, FECV (Intestinal Infection with Coronavirus)
- Feline Idiopathic Cystitis, FIC (Non-infectious Cystitis)
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis, FIP (Infectious Inflammation of the Peritoneum in Cats)
- Feline Neonatal Isoerythrolysis, FNI (Destruction of Red Blood Cells in Newborn Cats, Fading Kitten Syndrome)
- Feed allergy (Feed intolerance)
- Biliary Peritonitis (Peritonitis Due to Gallbladder Rupture)
- Gastritis (Inflammation of the Stomach Lining)
- Granulomatous Hepatitis (Liver Inflammation with Nodule Formation)
- Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver)
- Hepatotoxins (Liver Toxins)
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer Due to a Carcinoma)
- Histoplasmosis (Fungal Infection with Histoplasma Species)
- Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (Overproduction of Special White Blood Cells of the Immune System in the Bone Marrow)
- Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
- Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison's Disease)
- Hypoalbuminemia (Low Protein Levels in the Blood)
- Ibuprofen Poisoning
- Ileus (Intestinal Obstruction)
- Bufotenin Toad Venom Intoxication
- Intoxication / poisoning due to the insecticides organophosphate and carbamate (poisoning from toxins used to control insects)
- Coccidiosis (Parasitic intestinal infection caused by coccidia)
- Coprophagia and Pica (Eating feces and foreign objects)
- Cryptosporidiosis (Parasitic intestinal infection with Cryptosporidium species)
- Gastrointestinal leiomyosarcoma (cancer in the gastrointestinal tract originating from the stomach and intestinal muscle cells)
- Leishmaniasis (Parasitic infection caused by Leishmania species)
- Lymphoma, Lymphosarcoma (cancer caused by blood cells, the lymphocytes)
- Megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemia (Anemia Due to Maturation Disorders of Red Blood Cells)
- Metaldehyde Poisoning (Slug Bait Poisoning)
- Opisthorchis Felineus infection, Opisthorchiasis infection (Parasitic infection with the cat liver fluke)
- Orthopox infection (skin infection caused by poxvirus)
- Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas)
- Peritonitis (Inflammation of the Abdominal Cavity)
- Plague, Yersinia Pestis Infection (Bacterial Infection Caused by Yersinia Species)
- Pheochromocytoma (Adrenal Gland Cancer)
- Pneumocystosis (Fungal Infection of the Lung with Pneumocystis Species)
- Portosystemic shunt, Intrahepatic arteriovenous malformation (Liver shunt)
- Postpartum eclampsia (seizures due to calcium deficiency in the blood after birth)
- Protein-losing enteropathy (protein loss through the intestine)
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency, PK (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency)
- Rectal Stricture (Narrowing of the Anal or Rectal Opening)
- Renomegaly (Kidney Enlargement)
- Bladder Rhabdomyosarcoma (Bladder Cancer Originating from the Bladder Muscle)
- Sago Palm Poisoning (Poisoning from Eating Parts of a Sago Palm)
- Salmonellosis (Bacterial Intestinal Infection Caused by Salmonella Species)
- Serotonin Syndrome (side effects of anti-anxiety medications)
- Toxocariasis (Parasitic Intestinal Infection with Toxocara Species, Roundworm)
- Toxoplasmosis (Parasitic infection with Toxoplasma species)
- Trichuriasis (Parasitic intestinal infection caused by whipworms, Trichuris species)
- Cirrhosis and Fibrosis of the Liver (Loss of Functional Liver Tissue)
- Cyclic Hematopoiesis (Blood Disorder Related to FeLV Infection)
- Anaphylaxis (Allergic Shock)
- Clostridium Perfringens Enteropathy (Bacterial Intestinal Infection Caused by Clostridium Perfringens)
- Actinomycosis (Bacterial Infection Caused by Bacteria of the Genus Actinomyces)
- Campylobacteriosis (Bacterial Infection with Campylobacter Species)
- Listeriosis (Bacterial infection with Listeria species)
- Plumbism (Lead Poisoning)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBD (Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
- Perianal Fistula (Chronic Inflammatory Condition of the Anal Region)
- Chronic Gastritis (Chronic Stomach Inflammation)
- Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis, HCU (Chronic, Ulcerative Inflammation of the Large Intestine, Large Intestinal Ulcer)
- Astrovirus Infection Gastroenteritis (Intestinal Infection Caused by the Astrovirus)
- Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (Intestinal Infection Caused by Rotavirus)
- Megacolon (Colon Enlargement)
- Feline Small Intestinal Lymphoma (Small Intestinal Cancer in Cats)
- Glaucoma (Elevated Intraocular Pressure)
- Hepatic Encephalopathy (Impaired Brain Function Due to Liver Disease)
- Portal Hypertension (High Blood Pressure in the Portal Vein to the Liver)
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Infection (Feline Leukemia Virus)
- Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome, FIV Infection (Feline AIDS)
- Gastroenteritis Due to Reovirus Infections (Gastrointestinal Infection Caused by Reovirus Species)
- Gastrointestinal Mast Cell Tumors (Mast Cell Tumors in Abdominal Organs)
- Strongyloidiasis (Parasitic intestinal infection with threadworms, Strongyloides)
- Giardiasis (Parasitic Intestinal Infection with Giardia)
- Infection by Tritrichomonas Foetus, Tritrichomoniasis (Parasitic Intestinal Infection with Trichomonads)
- Digoxin Intoxication (Poisoning by the Drug Digoxin)
- Permethrin intoxication (poisoning from flea and tick medications)
- Hypervitaminosis D (Vitamin D overdose toxicity)
- Zinc Intoxication (Zinc Poisoning)
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia (diaphragmatic hernia with an open connection between the abdominal cavity and the pericardial sac)
Basics and possible causes
Diarrhea occurs when the balance between fluid intake and output in the intestine is disturbed. Normally, fluid is absorbed in the intestine, but with diarrhea, this absorption is reduced, leading to an increased amount of fluid in the stool.
A common cause of Diarrhea in cats is dietary changes or intolerances. Suddenly changing food can irritate a cat’s digestive tract. Certain foods or ingredients can also trigger intolerances that lead to Diarrhea.
Infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites are also common causes. Viruses like feline parvovirus or bacteria like Salmonella can infect the gastrointestinal tract and cause Diarrhea. Parasites like Giardia or worms are also known triggers.
Inflammatory conditions of the bowel, such as feline IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), can cause chronic Diarrhea. These conditions result from inflammation of the intestinal walls, which impairs digestion and nutrient absorption.
Other possible causes include toxins, medications, or systemic diseases such as liver or kidney problems. In some cases, stress or anxiety can also trigger Diarrhea, as they can affect bowel movements.
Typical accompanying symptoms
- Loss of appetite: Cats with diarrhea may lose interest in food, which can lead to weight loss.
- Vomiting: Vomiting often accompanies Diarrhea, especially if the cause is an infection or poisoning.
- Lethargy: Affected cats often appear tired or weak and withdraw.
- Fever: An elevated temperature can indicate an infection.
- Fluid loss (dehydration): Due to the fluid loss (dehydration) from diarrhea, the cat can become dehydrated, recognizable by dry mucous membranes and reduced skin turgor.
- Abdominal pain: Cats with abdominal pain often pull in their abdomen or show discomfort when touched.
When to see a vet?
A veterinarian should be consulted if Diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours or is accompanied by other severe symptoms such as Vomiting, lethargy, or blood in the stool. Young kittens or older cats, in particular, are more susceptible to the effects of Diarrhea and should be treated quickly.
Bloody diarrhea is always a warning sign and requires immediate veterinary examination, as it may indicate serious conditions such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or poisoning.
If the cat shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes or dry mucous membranes, immediate veterinary help is also required to avoid serious consequences.
Symptom recognition for the pet owner and veterinary diagnostic procedure
It is important for the pet owner to observe the consistency, color, and frequency of the Diarrhea and to communicate this information to the veterinarian. Other symptoms such as Vomiting or changes in the cat’s behavior should also be reported.
The veterinarian will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical examination of the cat. Afterward, specific diagnostic tests may be recommended, such as blood tests, stool samples to identify parasites, X-rays, or ultrasound examinations to rule out structural problems in the digestive tract.
In some cases, endoscopy may be necessary to obtain a direct view of the intestine or to take biopsies, especially if an Inflammatory condition of the bowel is suspected.
What the pet owner can do and professional therapy options
The pet owner should try to keep the cat calm and minimize stress, as this can worsen the condition. A temporary reduction in food intake can help relieve the gastrointestinal tract. Afterward, an easily digestible diet, such as cooked chicken or special diet food, can be introduced.
It is important that the cat has access to fresh water to avoid dehydration. Electrolyte solutions for animals can also be helpful to balance fluid levels.
Medication should only be administered after consulting with the veterinarian. Some over-the-counter human medications can be toxic to cats and should be avoided.
The pet owner should ensure that the cat does not have access to potentially harmful substances and that the environment is clean and safe to prevent reinfection or poisoning.
Outlook on current research
Current research on watery, mucous, or bloody diarrhea symptoms in cats focuses on identifying biomarkers that could enable early diagnosis and targeted therapy. Researchers are investigating the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of such symptoms. It is suspected that an imbalance in the composition of intestinal bacteria can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections and Inflammatory conditions, which in turn contribute to the described Diarrhea symptoms.
The role of probiotics as a therapeutic measure is also being intensively researched. Studies have shown that certain probiotic strains can help stabilize the intestinal flora / gut microbiota and reduce Inflammatory conditions. This could be particularly beneficial in chronic cases of Diarrhea. Researchers are testing various probiotics to determine which are most effective and how they can best be integrated into therapy.
Another area of research deals with the genetic predisposition of cats to Diarrhea diseases. Genetic studies aim to identify specific genes that could make cats more susceptible to certain types of Diarrhea. These findings could lead to personalized treatment approaches in the future, where a cat’s genetic makeup is considered to choose the best therapy.
The investigation of cats’ immune system response to various pathogens that cause Diarrhea is also an important research focus. Scientists are trying to understand how cats’ immune system reacts to infections and which factors influence the severity of symptoms. Insights from these studies could help develop vaccines or other immunomodulatory therapies to protect cats from severe Diarrhea diseases.
In clinical research, new diagnostic tests are also being developed to enable faster and more accurate differentiation between the various causes of Diarrhea. These tests could be able to differentiate between infectious and non-infectious causes, which could significantly facilitate treatment. Such advances in diagnosis could help shorten recovery times and reduce complications.
In summary, current research shows promising potential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of Diarrhea in cats. The findings from these studies could not only lead to the development of new therapies but also help deepen the understanding of the underlying mechanisms that lead to these symptoms.