Symptoms and Clinical Signs
When a kitten experiences intestinal disease, diarrhea is the most common symptom. Other signs that may accompany this digestive issue include appetite loss, weight loss, vomiting, or abdominal pain. In kittens, diarrhea typically arises from infections or dietary problems. Conversely, adult cats might experience allergies, intolerances, inflammatory bowel diseases, or intestinal tumors.
Causes of Diarrhea
A thorough physical examination is essential to determine the diarrhea’s cause, along with a detailed medical history. It’s important to identify whether the diarrhea originates from the small intestine or the colon, as specific pathogens often target distinct intestinal areas:
- Small intestine diarrhea: Large volume, infrequent stools (1-2 times daily), without mucus or fresh blood but possibly containing digested blood (black appearance).
- Colonic diarrhea: Smaller, frequent stools containing mucus and fresh blood. The kitten might struggle and feel urgency to defecate.
Tests and Diagnosis
Specific tests help identify the exact cause of diarrhea:
- Standard fecal analysis: Detects intestinal parasites through flotation to visualize worm eggs and protozoa (coccidia, Giardia). Fresh samples (less than one hour old) or refrigerated samples (up to 72 hours) are preferred.
- PCR and antigen fecal tests: More sensitive and specific than standard analysis for detecting viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Samples can be refrigerated up to one week before analysis.
- Direct smear: Microscopic examination of diluted stool samples to identify Giardia and Tritrichomonas fetus.
- Rectal cytology: Swab sample to detect fungi, inflammatory cells, and bacteria like Clostridium and Campylobacter.
- Blood and urine tests: Evaluate underlying conditions such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline AIDS (FIV), and overall health status.
- Imaging: X-rays and ultrasound to identify structural abnormalities.
- Surgical exploration: Intestinal biopsies confirm certain digestive diseases when other tests are inconclusive.
Treatment and Management
If the kitten remains in good overall condition (normal appetite, no vomiting), conservative treatment is typically sufficient. Recommended approaches include:
- Highly digestible diet: Rich in proteins, moderate fat, and low carbohydrates, containing soluble fibers, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
- Probiotics: Balance intestinal flora, inhibit pathogens, and boost immunity; recommended during parasite infections, dietary changes, or other infections.
- Mucosal protectants: Absorb intestinal toxins and reduce inflammation.
- Motility modifiers: Prescribed based on diarrhea type.
- Cobalamin (vitamin B12) supplementation: Useful in chronic small-intestinal diarrhea cases.
In severe cases, if the kitten has vomiting, loss of appetite, or deteriorating general health, supportive care becomes necessary:
- Fluid therapy: To compensate for fluid and electrolyte loss.
- Antiemetics and antacids: To protect the stomach.
- Pain management: To relieve abdominal pain.
Antibiotic Use
Although antibiotics were historically commonly used for kitten diarrhea, indiscriminate administration can disrupt intestinal flora and promote bacterial resistance. Therefore, antibiotics should be reserved only for clearly identified bacterial infections.
Suspected Salmonella or Campylobacter infections—common in group-housed kittens, raw-fed animals, or those showing systemic symptoms—require thorough testing and targeted treatment.
Persistent diarrhea or declining health warrants veterinary consultation to tailor diagnostic methods and treatment appropriately.
