normal
Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. Capillaria has been known to cause urinary incontinence in dogs, but I can’t find any references to suggest that there’s a direct association between the two in cats. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the incontinence was related to the parasites. Definitely follow up with your vet on a second stool sample after treatment is completed to ensure that the parasites have resolved, and if the incontinence occurs after treatment is complete follow up on that as well.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
Cats (including indoor cats) can also easily get worms by sharing a litter box with another infected cat, hunting and eating infected mice and other prey, and ingesting infected fleas.
They usually cause fairly nonspecific symptoms, such as a dull coat, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, mucousy or bloody feces, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, or a potbellied appearance.
Certain feline intestinal parasites
Including roundworms (Toxocara) and hookworms (Ancylostoma), these parasites can also cause disease in people. Children are particularly at risk due to their higher likelihood of contact with soil that has been contaminated by cat feces.
Properly done, fecal sample collection is simple, safe, and medically important for your pet. For a valid analysis, the feces should be submitted to the veterinarian within 24 hours of being passed by the pet, and preferably within 12 hours.
Humans can also contract roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites as well, so keep children away from litter boxes and wash their hands after contact with the cat.
Cats can develop various health problems from using a dirty litter box, such as painful kidney infections, bladder infections, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. Going too long without cleaning the litter box also causes stress for your cat, which only exacerbates these issues.
Most cats will not have signs of infection; however, cats with major roundworm infections commonly show vomiting, weight loss, dull hair, and a potbellied appearance. The cat may cough if the roundworms move into the lungs. You may notice adult roundworms in your cat`s feces or vomit.
If your cat`s condition goes unaddressed or isn`t treated fast enough, the worms will keep thriving and migrating within your cat`s body, stealing vital nutrients, causing very serious and potentially fatal conditions such as weight loss, pneumonia, blindness, serious skin infections, progressive anemia, and …
Toxoplasmosis (tok-so-plaz-MOE-sis) is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces.
The answer is yes. Unfortunately, even cats that never venture outside are still at risk for intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms. That`s why it`s important to familiarize yourself with the types of worms your indoor cat could get, as well as the treatment options.
A stool specimen should be less than 24 hours old and be kept refrigerated (NOT FROZEN) until submitted. It is best to have at least a teaspoon of feces for submission to the lab. It does not matter if leaves, debris or litter is mixed in with the sample.
The fresher stool sample the better, so whenever possible, bring your pet`s sample to the vet the same day that you collect it. Try to pick up a sample as soon as your pet poops and put it in a plastic sandwich bag or poop pickup bag.
Gas or bloating. Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva. Stomach pain or tenderness.
“Crazy cat-lady syndrome” is a term coined by news organizations to describe scientific findings that link the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to several mental disorders and behavioral problems.
Since oocysts are transmitted by ingestion, in order to contract toxoplasmosis, the person would have to make contact with contaminated feces in the litter box and then, without washing their hands, touch their mouth or otherwise transmit the contaminated fecal matter to their digestive system.
Experts recommend cleaning the litter box monthly, but maybe more frequently depending on the number of kitties, the type of litter, your cat`s output and health, and your preferences.
If you can, you should aim to replace cat litter at least once per week. However, if you scoop the litter frequently, it is possible to stretch litter changes to once every two weeks. We find that the easiest way to stay on top of litter changes is to schedule it for the same day every week.
What happens when my cat is dewormed? The dewormer that we`re giving is killing the worms in there, and it`s the adult stage of the worms. Sometimes you can see those adult worms pass in the stool – that`s not uncommon – but not all of these worms are visible to the naked eye. Some owners do, and some owners don`t.
Common recommendations are to: Treat kittens for roundworms every 2 weeks from 3 weeks of age until 8 weeks of age, then monthly to 6 months of age. Treat adult cats (greater than 6 months of age) every 1-3 months.
Giardia is arguably the most common parasite infection of humans worldwide, and the second most common in the United States after pin-worm.
This involves bringing in a poop sample from your cat so your veterinarian can perform a fecal float test to look for parasite eggs. “The test is often part of your cat`s yearly wellness visit,” she says, “and it can identify the presence of roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and sometimes tapeworms.”
Broad-spectrum prescription medications such as Panacur (fenbendazole) and Drontal Plus (pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole) can be used to treat hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections, but they must be carefully administered to your cat according to your veterinarian`s instructions.
There are a few options that you can consider, but be warned: they may not be as effective as going to the vet. Firstly, you can try over-the-counter deworming medication. These drugs work by killing the adult tapeworms in your cat`s intestines. However, they won`t kill any eggs or larvae that have been left behind.
If cat litter boxes are not regularly cleaned, the urine and feces accumulate and ammonia fumes build up. Ammonia is a toxic gas made from a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen. Living in an atmosphere filled with these ammonia fumes can cause a great deal of respiratory discomfort and problems.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. My 5 month old kitten dx with capillarlia parasites after bringing stool sample came home to pee on chair started paracur yesterday is this normal
ANSWER : A. Capillaria has been known to cause urinary incontinence in dogs, but I can’t find any references to suggest that there’s a direct association between the two in cats. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the incontinence was related to the parasites. Definitely follow up with your vet on a second stool sample after treatment is completed to ensure that the parasites have resolved, and if the incontinence occurs after treatment is complete follow up on that as well.
Read Full Q/A … : Vetinfo
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. I have a 1yr old male 38 lb Labradoodle and my gf just brought a month old kitten home. Can they interact? If not, for how long?
ANSWER : A. Interactions whenever a new pet is brought into the house should start off slow, then can be increased in time. The best steps when introducing a new cat is to allow your cat or kitten to have a room in the house all to him or herself. Allow your dog to sniff under the door to get used to the kitten’s scent, and even show your dog articles such as bedding the cat has slept on. After a few days, an introduction with your dog on leash, or a barrier such as a gate where both pets can look at each other but not see each other is best. This will allow each to get used to seeing the other without the ability to jump, bite or scratch the other. Once the two are used to this, then a face to face interaction can begin. If at any time a fight or scuffle breaks out, separate the two pets and try again at a later time. The amount of time this introduction takes can vary depending on how the two react to each other.
Until your kitten is older, or you are sure both are fine together, do not leave the two pets together unattended. Even a well-meaning and playful dog can accidentally break a leg of a kitten or worse without meaning to! A safe room for your kitten to be in while you are away, or a barrier to allow your kitten to escape to safety if needed will help until both are big enough to play alone safely.
Read Full Q/A … : Dogs and Jealousy
Q. Bowel movement 6 times a day. Stool is soft light brown and white. Sometimes drops of water come out during bowel movement. He seems anxious
ANSWER : A. If your pet is experiencing frequent bowel movements, loose watery stools, or stools that have changed color it is best to contact your local vet. Stools that are watery can indicate many problems ranging from digestive upset, internal parasites or even illness. Color changes in stool can indicate problems such as issues with the pancreas or gallbladder as these two organs contribute enzymes that give stool its brown color. Be sure to bring in a sample (or multiple) of the stool to your vet as this can help them quickly examine it for issues as well as check for common illnesses or parasites.
Read Full Q/A … : Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)
Q. Seven month old cat has watery diarrhea for five days. Asks perfectly normal. What can I give him to help with diarrhea ?
ANSWER : A. Anytime a pet has prolonged diarrhea, it is always a good idea to schedule a wellness check with your veterinarian. Bringing in a sample of your cat’s stool is also a good idea to check for any internal parasites or illnesses that may be causing it.
Diarrhea can be caused by a large number of things ranging from illness, internal parasites, digestive upset or even dietary issues. Ruling out any more serious issues first is best, then looking to others such as stress or diet is next. Cats can have issues with some grain products such as wheat, corn and soy, and can even have issues with dairy and fish products! (Cats are naturally lactose-intolerant). Changing the diet may help to firm up the stools.
For other additives, adding a probiotic such as Forti-flora from your vet, or a teaspoon of plain yogurt added to the food can help. Adding in a small amount of pureed pumpkin to the diet may also help as the added fiber can firm up the stool. However if the stool does not improve after a few days of treatment, a follow-up with your vet is best.
Read Full Q/A … : Diarrhea and Infants – DrGreene.com
Q. I have a 9 week old kitten. At what age do they start spraying? We have a 12 yr old cat that has sprayed a door, I think. Could it be the kitten?
ANSWER : A. It is not unusual for an established house cat to start acting out once there is a change in his environment. In this case, the new kitten could be a stressor for the older cat as he tries to get used to the new change of an added house member. To answer your question, cats generally do not start spraying until the are around 5-6 months old.
Read Full Q/A … : How to Stop a Male Cat from Spraying – How to do anything
Q. My puppy has a little bit of blood on the end of his diarrhea is that normal? He poops normally then the second time it comes out all water
ANSWER : A. It is never normal to see bloody stool. Intestinal parasites are a common cause of diarrhea and bloody stool, especially in puppies. Submit a stool sample to your vet to diagnose any parasites. Treat as indicated. Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet (1:1 ratio of plain boiled boneless chicken and plain white rice). Feed in small, frequent amounts waiting at least one hour between feedings. Continue feeding until the stool is normal. Transition slowly to the regular diet. If the diarrhea doesn’t stop, see your veterinarian.
Read Full Q/A … : Puppy Diarrhea – Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Q. Healthy German Shepherd has extremely loose stools once a day. I added 2 spoonfuls of pumpkin puree that hasn’t helped. No diet changes. Any advice?
ANSWER : A. Loose stools can be caused by a number of factors, and the first step is always to bring a stool sample to your local veterinarian to check for anything. Fecal exams can check for common bacteria and parasites in the stool that may cause chronic diarrhea.
Diet problems can also play a factor in loose stool as well as chronic illness. Dogs can be allergic to many different ingredients in the diet, however grains such as corn, wheat and soy products can be the most problematic. Adding a probiotic supplement can sometimes help such as a scoop of plain yogurt ever meal, or commercial product from your vet.
Illnesses and metabolic disorders may also cause chronic loose stools. German Shepherds are prone to a disease called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency which is a problem with the pancreas (the same organ that dysfunctions in diabetes- however that is ENDOCRINE function in that case) producing enough digestive enzymes. This causes stools that may be loose, discolored grey or yellow and appear very fatty in color. Shepherds can also be prone to chronic small intestine infections that cause loose stool as well. Luckily, treatment for these conditions often just involves adding a daily digestive enzyme supplement to the food, or daily anti-biotic designed specifically for chronic bowel issues.
Read Full Q/A … : Veterinarians
