Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): If your feline has been showing symptoms such as diarrhea, accompanied by occasional vomiting and/or bloating, chances are that he is suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a condition causing discomfort and inflammation of a cat’s bowels and is not linked to gastrointestinal disease. The intestines may become irritated and inflamed with abdominal pain. The gut wall is infiltrated with inflammatory cells. This leads to swelling. Here is what you need to know about this condition.
Causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
There is no known definitive cause for IBS in cats, but experts and vets have some theories as to what may bring it on. These include:
Deficiency in dietary fiber
Stress
Dietary intolerances
Abnormal colonic myoelectrical activity
Changes in colonic function
Diet
Sudden diet changes may cause an upset stomach. The digestive system of adult cats is sensitive. This poses a challenge when it comes to digesting milk sugars and could lead to lactose intolerance. When this happens these milk sugars ferment undigested in the gut, causing diarrhea
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, liver inflammation, and IBS all cause diarrhea . It can prove to be a very acute and serious condition. It causes severe vomiting or even rapid death in certain circumstances. If death does not occur, it can develop to a chronic form, causing diarrhea and low grade vomiting.
Infections
There are numerous infections which can lead to chronic diarrhea. Bacteria like campylobacter and salmonella can lead to food poisoning in cats as well as human beings. Single celled protozoa such as tritrichomonas foetus and giardia can cause long-term inflammation especially in the large bowels.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Drugs and toxins
These can also cause gastrointestinal problems, especially vomiting when ingested. Certain veterinary medicine may create these side effects. Therefore, it is always important to get back to your vet when the cat develops adverse reactions after taking drugs. Because cats have very sensitive bowels, drugs not prescribed to them might cause adverse reactions. Look carefully for potential toxins in your home. Houseplants are an example. When a cat is grooming itself it may ingest toxins that have stuck to its coat. One good example is lily pollen that is particularly toxic to cats. It sticks to the fur if the pet brushes against the plant.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Stress
Felines tend to be very sensitive to stress. Indoor cats are more likely to experience boredom and other aspects that can cause stress. Stress may also cause inflammation in the intestinal tract that leads to various complications.
Diagnosis
Vets are the only ones that can make a positive diagnosis for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). You will need to give him or her a detailed history of your cat’s health record and a thorough explanation of all symptoms. Your vet will give your cat a physical examination to rule out any other potential diseases, such as inflammatory colitis or whipworms.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Treatment
Treatment for IBS is usually out patient care. The main treatment option is to give your cat a diet that is easily digestible with plenty of fiber. A diet change can make a huge difference in your cat’s IBS symptoms. Organic foods are best, but as long as the food has a high amount of soluble fiber, your cat should be able to digest it easily. Their main food source should be meat, as cats are primarily carnivores.
If you are away for much of the day, consider an automatic cat feeder ), and make sure they have access to plenty of water throughout the day. Monitoring your cat’s stools for a period of time will help make sure that there is no presence of diarrhea, constipation or abdominal discomfort.
Prevention
You may not be able to completely prevent irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from occurring. There are several things you can do to keep your cat as healthy as possible. First, make sure your cat isn’t in a stressful environment and is comfortable and relaxed. Things like a new baby, a new pet, or small children can cause an undue amount of stress for a cat. Second, feed your cat a diet that is rich in fiber, protein and healthy ingredients. Once you’ve found a reputable brand that your cat likes- don’t change it up for them or they may end up with upset tummies.
Unlike humans, cats are quite happy to eat the same thing day in and day out. Make sure your cat gets regular checkups from your vet and monitor your cat’s health closely. If you notice any signs of pain, discomfort or symptoms of IBS, take your cat to the vet immediately. It is never a good idea to self-diagnose, so have your vet’s number and address handy for all health situations.
Conclusion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome prevents your cat from living a normal life. It might result to death in severe circumstances. The best defense is prevention, by giving your cat healthy foods, as well as regular medical checkups. Stick to the treatment after the diagnosis from your vet.
Annie is the founder of MeowKai (https://meowkai.com/), where she and her associates write about cat behavior, health issues, and tips and tricks on how to get your cat to behave! It concentrates on creating the best life for you and your cat so you can enjoy each other’s company and build that trust that is so important between pet and human.
