Page 706 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

698 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing signs of acute small bowel diarrhea
MECHANICAL

● Foreign bodies* (p 713)
Diarrhea commonly occurs either due to motility disturbances or irritating effects of the foreign
object that may cause increased secretion.
● Intussusception* (p 712)
Acute onset of diarrhea may occur due to alterations in gut motility, however, vomiting is a more
prominent clinical sign.
● Motility disturbances
Primary motility disturbances are rare, but secondary causes of abnormal GI motility such as post-
operative ileus, post-obstructive disease or metabolic or endocrine causes of ileus are more impor-
tant causes of diarrhea.
● Short bowel syndrome (p 730)
Spontaneous short bowel syndrome occurs acutely with intussusception, bowel strangulation and
intestinal volvulus. Iatrogenic syndrome associated with resection of 75–90% of the small intestine
results in severe diarrhea and weight loss. Congenital forms of short bowel syndrome are reported,
but are rare.
METABOLIC
● Hyperthyroidism* (p 711)
Intermittent diarrhea, vomiting or voluminous stools in an older cat with a good to ravenous
appetite, obvious weight loss and poorly groomed coat are characteristic of this disease.
● Inflammatory hepatobiliary disease (cholangitis)* (p 710)
The clinical presentation of cholangitis is non-specific: anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting,
diarrhea, dehydration, hepatomegaly and icterus. The disease primarily affects male cats greater
than 4 years of age.
● Shock (hypovolemic, septic, endotoxic)* (p 722)
Acute diarrhea occurs secondary to gastrointestinal ischemia from severe hypovolemia or sepsis
and may contribute to patient morbidity.
● Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (p 730)
A rare disease in cats, but is typically associated with small bowel diarrhea, weight loss and a rav-
enous appetite. Diarrhea is typically chronic but may be perceived as acute onset.
NUTRITIONAL
● Food intolerance*** (p 704)
Indiscretion is associated with an acute onset of diarrhea due to overeating, eating too quickly or
ingesting a foreign substance (food or non-food). Intolerance presents with intermittent diarrhea or
vomiting, with no pattern or association with eating, and resolves when the food source is changed
to omit offending substance from diet.

● Food allergy (dietary hypersensitivity)* (p 709)
Vomiting appears to be more common than diarrhea in cats with food allergy, but it is more likely
to occur when the disturbance affects more distal aspects of the GI tract.