Page 708 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

700 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

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● Feline panleukopenia virus (p 722)
Infectious viral enteritis of young cats that is often fatal in unvaccinated populations. Typically,
there is a sudden onset of depression and anorexia. Vomiting is followed by diarrhea, varying from
mild to severe. Panleukopenia may result in systemic septicemia and rapid death. A relatively rare
problem in vaccinated cats due to the vaccine efficacy.

● Peritonitis (p 729)
Abdominal pain, distention, fever, decreased appetite and lethargy are the most common present-
ing signs. Vomiting or diarrhea may occur, but is not a consistent problem.
● Feline leukemia virus (p 725)
Systemic retroviral disease associated with neoplasia and bone marrow disease in cats. Diarrhea
occurs most commonly secondary to development of GI lymphoma.
● Feline immunodeficiency virus (p 726)
Diarrhea is not a common presenting sign of cats with FIV, but diarrhea can occur secondary to
the immunodeficiency disease or result from a purulent form of colitis that can occur in a small
number of cats that are infected with FIV.
● Campylobacteriosis (p 726)
An uncommon cause of diarrhea in cats, but will cause mucoid, bloody diarrhea, weight loss,
anorexia and fever in affected kittens or young cats. Most affected cats are from shelters or catter-
ies that have crowded conditions and poor hygiene. In adult cats, the disease is usually self-limit-
ing, but it is an important zoonosis.
● Bacillus piliformis (Tyzzer’s disease) (p 732)
Produces clinical signs that are identical to panleukopenia.

IDIOPATHIC

● Acute gastroenteritis*** (p 702)
This acute, mild small bowel diarrhea may be caused by a number of dietary, bacterial, parasitic or
toxic agents that are usually self-limiting.
● Hypereosinophilic syndrome (p 729)
Rare disorder that is associated with eosinophilic IBD and systemic eosinophilia (increased circu-
lating eosinophils and increased eosinophils in lymph nodes, etc.). It is usually associated with
chronic vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, and is poorly responsive to treatment.
● Idiopathic juvenile diarrhea (p 727)
This is a condition of kittens and young cats less than one year of age. It causes chronic small
bowel diarrhea, which is self-limiting once the kitten reaches adulthood.
Toxic:
● Pharmacologic (antibiotic-induced diarrhea)** (p 705)
Acute onset of diarrhea or vomiting after initiating antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics often associated
with inducing diarrhea: ampicillin, cephalosporins, clindamycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, etc.
● Pyrethrins/pyrethroids/permethrins/organophosphates* (p 718)
Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, contact dermatitis, ataxia, excitation, seizures and dyspnea are
all reported signs of toxicity to these insecticides.