Page 736 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

728 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

Clinical signs Clinical signs

The disorder occurs in kittens and young cats under Vomiting is the most common sign following inges-
a year of age. tion of plant material, whether or not it is poison-
ous/toxic to the gastrointestinal tract or not.
The only clinical sign is presence of chronic small
bowel diarrhea. Other signs may include anorexia, drooling, dyspha-
gia or diarrhea.
Kittens are otherwise healthy, active and gain weight

Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History of exposure or ingestion is essential in many
The diagnosis is one of exclusion. Thus, infectious,
cases, because there is so much variability in presen-
parasitic, dietary and mechanical disorders must all be
tation.
ruled out.
Plants that cause vomiting due to irritation or direct
Cats with this syndrome are often purebred cats, and
GI upset include Philodendron, Diffenbachia (dumb
the diarrhea is self-limiting once they reach adult-
cane), Euphorbia (poinsettia), Caladium, Ricinus (cas-
hood.
tor bean), Robinia and Solanum (tomato, eggplant or
nightshade) spp. to name a few of the more common
Differential diagnosis plants.
Because this is a disease of kittens, bacterial, viral, par- Plants that cause vomiting secondary to nephrotoxi-
asitic, protozoal, dietary and toxic causes of diarrhea city include Lilium (lily), Rheum (rhubarb) and Oxalis
must all be carefully considered. spp.

Treatment
Differential diagnosis
There is no known effective treatment for this condi-
Consider dietary indiscretion, foreign body or ingestion
tion. But, since it is self-limiting, owners should be
of other toxins if there is an acute onset of vomiting or
instructed not to give up prematurely.
diarrhea in an otherwise healthy cat.
Cats ingesting plants that are nephrotoxic will have
Prognosis
signs that are indistinguishable from other causes of
The prognosis is good once the kitten reaches adult- vomiting due to systemic metabolic, infectious or
hood. inflammatory diseases.

PLANT INGESTION/TOXICITY Treatment

In most cases, the vomiting is self-limiting after the
Classical signs
offending plant is removed from the GI tract.
● Acute onset of drooling, vomiting or
Gastric protectants (e.g. sucralfate 0.5–1 g/cat PO) or
diarrhea due to the irritant effects on
histamine-2 antagonists (e.g. famotidine, 0.5 mg/kg
mucous membranes.
PO or SQ q 24 h) may be indicated if severe gastritis
● More severe and prolonged vomiting,
develops.
diarrhea, depression or anorexia may
occur if hepatic or renal failure occurs as Gastric lavage may be helpful if large amounts of
a result of the toxicity. irritant plants are consumed and is important follow-
ing ingestion of toxic plants to reduce further absorp-
See main references on page 646 for details. tion of toxic substrates.