Comprehensive Guide to Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms,

Ⅰ The Four Types of Diarrhea

The essence of diarrhea lies in the excessive water content in the feces.

① Osmotic Diarrhea

This type of diarrhea is caused by the presence of too much unabsorbable fluid in the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes: Overeating, indigestion, weak digestion, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

② Secretory Diarrhea

Secretory diarrhea occurs when an excessive amount of secretions (water, electrolytes, etc.) enter the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes: Bacterial endotoxins stimulate the intestinal mucosa to secrete (other uncommon cases are not elaborated here).

③ Permeability Diarrhea

Permeability diarrhea happens when the gastrointestinal mucosa is damaged and destroyed, allowing both desirable and undesirable substances to enter the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes: Viral enteritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, liver diseases, and more.

④ Altered Intestinal Peristalsis

This type of diarrhea occurs when the normal peristalsis rate is suddenly reduced by half, leading to insufficient time for water absorption and subsequent diarrhea.

Causes: Neurological dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.

Ⅱ Three Categories of Diarrhea

① Acute and Chronic: Acute diarrhea lasts for 2 to 3 weeks.

② Severe and Nonsevere

③ Small Intestinal and Large Intestinal: If blood is present, small intestinal diarrhea results in black stools, while large intestinal diarrhea presents with bright red blood and greatly increased frequency of bowel movements (more than 5 times the normal rate).

Ⅲ Common Diseases Causing Diarrhea

Just like vomiting, diarrhea is not solely a gastrointestinal issue; other diseases can trigger it as well.

① Gastrointestinal Issues

Food allergies and intolerance, infectious diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, motility disorders, parasites, and poisoning.

② Issues in Other Parts of the Body

Liver diseases, hyperthyroidism, exocrine issues with the kidneys, liver, and pancreas, tumors, and more.

Ⅳ Solutions and Approaches

In cases of mild diarrhea without other symptoms, probiotics can be used for调理, along with montmorillonite powder (for animals or infants) as an auxiliary treatment. Adjust the diet to include less food and more frequent meals, or switch to a different type of food, and observe for 2 to 3 days.

If the condition does not improve or seems to worsen, it is important to seek medical attention. A doctor will assess the specific symptoms and their diagnostic skills to identify potential underlying causes and provide appropriate treatment.

For kittens with diarrhea, pet owners should pay close attention to their appetite, body temperature, and spirits. If necessary, a rapid test for feline distemper virus should be conducted!

In Conclusion

Any attentive pet owner should understand that whether it's vomiting or diarrhea, the causes can be incredibly diverse and cannot be fully explained in a few words or a single image. Of course, a series of laboratory tests (complete blood count to serum biochemistry, fecal and urine tests, and more) can be timeconsuming and costly.

Therefore, it is crucial for pet owners to be vigilant and ensure their pets receive a balanced diet. Regularly supplement with vitamins, trace elements, and lactoferrin. Keep up the good work!