Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. You should see a vet to stop the diarrhoea. Dilated rectum is a concerning sign that can lead to prolapsus of the rectum and then anus necrosis.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
Common bacterial infections include salmonella and campylobacter. Kittens can contract viruses such as feline immunodeficiency virus, panleukopenia, feline leukemia virus and rotavirus. Moving to a new home, getting new housemates (animal or human) and other environmental factors can cause diarrhea in kittens.
Kitten diarrhea can be caused by food allergies, parasites, and bacterial and viral infections. As diarrhea itself is a symptom of illness, it`s essential to consult with your veterinarian if your kitten is exhibiting signs of diarrhea along with other symptoms.
Mucus is a normal secretion of the intestinal tract to help lubricate and moisten the linings and facilitate fecal passage. It`s not unusual to observe some greasy or slick coatings on your cat`s feces. It is abnormal to see lots of slimy, often clear to pale yellow-green liquid accompanying your cat`s bowel movements.
Young cats develop diarrhea for many of the same reasons that kittens do, namely from dietary indiscretion, change of food or parasites. In my experience, the most common reason for a young cat to develop diarrhea is because he ate something inappropriate.
More serious issues that can cause and lead to a lack of appetite or drinking are intestinal issues, diabetes, kidney disease, problems with their teeth or gums, etc. Whether the cause is simple or serious, any time your cat has stopped eating or drinking for more than a day, contact your veterinarian.
One of the main reasons kittens refuse to eat is stress. You`re excited to see your new companion, but your kitten has just left her mother and her littermates behind. She feels out of place, and she doesn`t know you yet. Simply put, this is a tough time for her.
If your cat is losing weight, vomiting, experiencing diarrhea or constipation as well as refusing to eat, it`s time to see your vet. Gastrointestinal problems such as those listed above are serious and may require emergency care.
You should contact your vet if your cat`s or kitten`s diarrhea doesn`t clear up in 24 to 48 hours, or if you notice blood or discoloration in their stool. You should also see your vet immediately if the diarrhea is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: Fever. Appetite loss.
Colitis is a condition in which the colon, the last portion of the digestive tract, is inflamed. Dogs and cats may experience colitis for a few days or for many months. Signs of colitis include diarrhea with mucus and/or fresh blood, straining to defecate, and possibly vomiting.
White — Grossly abnormal color, usually indicates, severe bacterial imbalance and severe infection in the bowel.
The rotavirus is a double-stranded, wheel-shaped RNA virus which causes inflammation of the intestines and in severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls. This virus is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in cats.
It is important to contact your vet right away if you believe that your cat isn`t drinking enough water. While it may be possible that your cat is simply not drinking enough, dehydration can also be an indication of a serious underlying condition such as kidney disease, heatstroke, or diabetes.
Encourage your cat to eat small, frequent meals of a palatable, high energy, highly digestible food. Warming food to body temperature often makes it more appealing. Some sick cats can be encouraged to eat more by hand feeding. Your veterinarian will advise you if there are any foods that you should not offer.
You might want to try offering small frequent feedings of a bland diet, such as Hill`s Prescription Diet Feline i/d or skinless boiled chicken. Another option for helping a sick kitten eat is to offer a small amount of canned tuna or chicken with the natural juices.
Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an antibiotic that veterinarians prescribe to treat diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats.
The signs associated with parasite infections are fairly nonspecific, such as a dull haircoat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucoid or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, or a pot-bellied appearance.
Anything from a clogged nose to intestinal cat parasites, cat constipation or an upset tummy can contribute to your kitten not eating. This is why it`s very important to ask for professional help if your kitten is not eating.
Sometimes, it comes and goes quickly. Other times, it can last for days, weeks, or months, or come back on a regular basis. Diarrhea that lasts for 24 to 48 hours probably won`t cause a problem unless you have an older cat or a kitten. But if it lasts longer, your cat can get dehydrated, which can be dangerous.
How long does kitten diarrhea last? Diarrhea in kittens doesn`t usually last more than two to three days.
Intestinal parasites are a common cause of smelly stool of all cat ages, from kittens to adults. An intestinal parasite can be caught in several ways, but kittens mostly get them from their mother, and adults get them from other infected cats, fleas, or hunting and eating infected rodents.
Because worms are parasites that feed on your cat`s nutrients and, in some cases their blood, cats can develop a host of health problems, such as anaemia. In severe cases of worm infestations, they can block the intestines, causing very serious health issues. In rare cases, worms can be fatal, especially for kittens.
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach and intestines). It can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, parasites, medications, or even new foods. The condition often causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and other clinical signs.
Possible causes include bacterial infection, parasitic infection with worms or single-celled parasites, or an allergy or intolerance to a specific protein in the diet.
Plain boiled rice is a bland filler that can be fed to help kittens with diarrhea. You can also try increasing the amount of time between feeding, as overfeeding or feeding too often can also cause diarrhea. Another cause of diarrhea is internal parasites, which are common in kittens.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. Female kitten around 7-8 months. Not eating or drinking, clear diarrhea and dilated rectum
ANSWER : A. You should see a vet to stop the diarrhoea. Dilated rectum is a concerning sign that can lead to prolapsus of the rectum and then anus necrosis.
Read Full Q/A … : My cat won't eat or drink – Pets Forum – GardenWeb – Houzz
Q. Why does my dog eat grass?
ANSWER : A. As another user mentioned, dogs can eat grass when they want to vomit. Sometimes, when a dog has an upset tummy, they will eat grass. If you notice your dog eating grass frantically, you can assume vomiting will shortly follow. Grass does not digest and pass normally. If your dog eats too much grass, it can cause serious issues with pooping. Your dogs poop can end up all tangled inside of her, and it can need veterinary assistance to remove it. The same goes for celery, so avoid feeding celery to your dog.
The other day my boyfriend accidentally left the laundry room door open where we were keeping the trash that was filled with cooked chicken bones. She ate one of the chicken bones lightning fast. We had to induce vomiting by feeding her some hydrogen peroxide. After we had fed her the peroxide, she immediately began frantically eating grass because her tummy was upset.
If there is something lacking in your dogs diet, it could be that your dog is eating grass to make up for it. I am sure that my dogs diet is extremely well balanced (I do not only feed her an air-dried raw food-type diet (Ziwipeak), but a wide variety of safe, healthy foods), so when she eats grass, I know that it is because she has an upset tummy.
That is why I think it is important making sure your dog has a very well balanced diet. If your dog is on a low quality kibble, your dog may be trying to let you know by eating grass (or eating poop).
Read Full Q/A … : Why Dogs Eat Grass: Causes and Prevention – WebMD
Q. I have two 3 week old kittens that I am bottle feeding. The kittens both have diareaa and there buts are red. Is there anything I can do ?
ANSWER : A. Diarrhea in kittens can be caused by many things, including intestinal parasites (very common in kittens), wrong formula, recent changes in diet (from queen’s milk to formula or from one formula to another), and other gastrointestinal upsets. Their bottoms are likely red and irritated from the diarrhea soiling the fur and skin, trapping moisture against the skin and serving as a breeding ground for bacteria. First, stop feeding the formula. Second, collect a fecal sample to be analyzed by your veterinarian for intestinal parasites. Third, call your vet and make an appointment as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Diarrhea in kittens is serious business and can lead to death from dehydration and loss of nutrients. Finally, in place of formula give an electrolyte replacement solution (like Pedialyte for infants/children) – plain, no flavors, no colors – for at least the next 1-2 feedings. This is not the same as a sports drink. After the 1st or 2nd feeding of straight electrolyte replacement solution, start to add formula back into diet at 1/4 strength ( 1 part formula to 3 parts water), The following feeding mix 2 parts formula to 2 parts water. Then, 3 parts formula to 1 part water. Finally, offer full-strength formula. If the diarrhea continues or worsens with increasing amounts of formula, go back to just electrolyte solution and repeat the process.
Read Full Q/A … : Raising Orphaned kittens Part 2: What to do, week by week
Q. I recently added a new 2 month old female kitten to my house and my male 5 month the old kitten has turned aggressive and chases the kitten down..
ANSWER : A. It is possible it could be play behavior but without seeing it in person, hard to say. Is the male kitten neutered? You may want to consider doing so. Also, try re-introducing the kittens slowly by creating a safe space for the new kitten behind a closed door in a room. Keep her there for at least a week so she is protected but your male is still able to smell her. After a week or 2, you can then graduate to using a baby gate so they can then not only smell each other but safely see each other as well. If that is going okay, after another few days you can bring the gate down. Also, be sure to have feeding bowls in separate locations and at least 2 litter boxes.
Read Full Q/A … : Ragdoll Cats
Q. My dog has suffered from diarrhea with vomit and bloody stools for about 3 months. Vet has given Metronidazole, but hasn’t been effective
ANSWER : A. Several things can cause a dog’s diarrhea, and chronic diarrhea can sometimes be hard to treat. However the most common causes of chronic diarrhea can be from food allergies to certain ingredients in the diet as well as a disruption in the gut bacteria. Metronidazole helps with chronic diarrhea in some cases if there is an underlying bacterial condition. Checking your dog’s food for common allergens such as wheat, corn or soy products may alert you to a problem as these can cause a lot of digestive issues in some dogs. Some dogs may also be allergic to more common protein types such as beef, lamb or even chicken, so finding a food with an alternate protein source can also help. Natural remedies to help clear up diarrhea can also include adding plain yogurt to meals to seed the gut with healthy bacteria, or adding pureed pumpkin to provide a fiber boost to firm up stools. However, if these things don’t help with the diarrhea, additional testing and treatment with your vet is best.
Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Blood in Dog Stool
Q. My dog doesn’t eat, what should I do?
ANSWER : A. If this is a puppy, see a veterinarian immediately. Puppies should want to eat. Common causes for anorexia in puppies include viruses (parvo is a big one), parasitism, and foreign bodies. They need immediate care – go to an emergency vet if yours isn’t open. Puppies can get low blood sugar and dehydration very quickly.
If this is an adult dog and you observe other concerning signs, such as diarrhea or decreased energy, you should see a veterinarian.
If the dog seems otherwise bright and stable, try offering different types of food: wet food, canned tripe, or cooked chicken and rice. Some dogs will go for canned baby food: chicken, turkey, or beef as the main ingredient. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the ingredients!
Causes of anorexia in adult dogs can range from less serious to severe. Younger dogs are more likely to get into trouble- they tend to eat things they shouldn’t, and can get foreign bodies from eating things like socks, or stomach upset from getting in the trash. Any dog may stop eating due to stress, or just being a picky eater. Middle aged dogs can stop eating when they’re stressed and also have Addison’s disease, which can be fatal. Older dogs tend to stop eating when they develop cancer or renal disease.
There is no one-size-fits-all recipe to know when the right time is to take your dog to the vet. The moral of this story is, if it’s not getting better, your pup feels bad, or you’re worried – go see the vet!
Read Full Q/A … : My Dog Won’t Eat
Q. My 2 months old rottweiler puppy isn’t eating properly. Shes only eating shredded or minced chicken but adding any thing means she won’t eat.
ANSWER : A. This is not a nutritionally adequate diet for your puppy. She needs to be eating a good quality puppy food. Put the proper amount in her bowl and put it down without any fuss. Leave it for fifteen minutes. After that, if she has not eaten, pick it up–again without fuss–and do not give her anything else to eat until her next scheduled mealtime, not even treats. When she is due to eat again, repeat the process. This may take quite a few days to resolve, as she will try to hold out for the chicken. Do not give in! Remember that you are not starving her. The food is there, but she is choosing not to eat. When she realizes that this is all she is going to get, she will begin to eat and your problem will be solved.
Read Full Q/A … : Some Common Reasons Why Your Dog Won't Eat
Q. My dog hasnt eaten snce I left 4 days ago. I won’t be home for 6 more days. How can the caretaker get her to eat?
ANSWER : A. If your dog is feeling a bit sad while you are away and is refusing to eat, your pet sitter may try some things such as adding in boiled chicken or turkey to meals to encourage eating. A pet-safe gravy may also entice your dog to eat as well while you are gone. Your pet sitter may also want to offer smaller meals more often throughout the day to give your dog more chances to try and eat when she is feeling more comfortable and a little less sad. A game of fetch or playing together may also get your dog’s appetite going and help her to feel more comfortable eating around your pet sitter.
If your dog is showing any other signs of illness in addition to the refusal to eat (beyond normal missing an owner), then it is always a good idea to keep an eye out and contact a veterinarian as needed.
Read Full Q/A … : ufdc.ufl.edu
