Page 276 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

268 PART 5 CAT WITH ACUTE ILLNESS

Antiemetic agents will decrease nausea, and thereby
GASTROINTESTINAL FOREIGN BODY AND
INFLAMMATION*** reduce depression and anorexia.

Classical signs
DRUG THERAPY***
● Vomiting and diarrhea.
● Anorexia and depression. Classical signs
● Anorexia.
See main reference on page 636 for details (The Cat
With Signs of Acute Vomiting), page 713 (The Cat
With Signs of Acute Small Bowel Diarrhea), page 765 Clinical signs
(The Cat With Signs of Large Bowel Diarrhea), page
Anorexia is a side effect of many drugs, including
792 (The Constipated or Straining Cat).
antibiotics, anti-thyroid medications and anti-cancer
agents. Anorexia typically develops within the first
Clinical signs week of therapy.
Cats with acute gastritis, acute gastroenteritis or acute Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common concurrent
gastrointestinal foreign bodies typically have vomiting signs.
and diarrhea. However, these signs may be intermittent,
Some drugs also cause oral irritation.
so that only non-specific signs such as anorexia and
depression are reported by the owners.
Diagnosis
Variable more specific findings include abdominal
pain, vomiting following abdominal palpation, Rule out other causes of anorexia.
dilated loops of intestine and an intestinal mass.
Improved appetite upon withdrawal of the drug.
A linear foreign body may be evident around the base
of the tongue.

PAIN***
Diagnosis
Classical signs
If only non-specific signs are reported, observation for
vomiting and diarrhea may be of value. ● Depression, anorexia and localizing sign of
pain.
Rule out extra-intestinal causes of vomiting and diar-
rhea with routine laboratory work.
Diagnostic imaging is required to identify foreign Clinical signs
material and intestinal obstruction.
Pain may contribute to the depression and anorexia
seen in many disorders. Other signs of pain include
Differential diagnosis vocalization (spontaneous and evoked by palpation),
defensive aggression evoked by palpation, lameness,
Pancreatitis.
hunched posture (abdominal pain) and reluctance to
Other causes of acute vomiting and diarrhea. See The Cat move.
With Signs of Acute Vomiting (page 630) and The Cat
With Signs of Acute Small Bowel Diarrhea (page 697).
Diagnosis
Treatment A cat with acute depression and anorexia should be
carefully examined for signs of pain, which may help
Treatment of the underlying cause. identify a causative disorder.