Page 743 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

33 – THE CAT WITH SIGNS OF CHRONIC SMALL BOWEL DIARRHEA 735

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing signs of chronic small bowel diarrhea
ANOMALY

● Intestinal diverticulosis (p 759)
These are rare disorders that are most commonly found in the jejunum, and may be subclinical or
associated with vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
MECHANICAL
● Intussusception (p 756)
Acute onset of diarrhea may occur due to alterations in gut motility, however, vomiting is a more
prominent clinical sign.
● Short bowel syndrome (p 760)
This iatrogenic syndrome is associated with resection of 75–90% of the small intestine and results
in severe diarrhea and weight loss. Congenital forms of short bowel syndrome are reported, but are
rare.
METABOLIC
● Hyperthyroidism* (p 743)
Intermittent diarrhea, vomiting or voluminous stools in an older cat with a good to ravenous
appetite, obvious weight loss and a poorly groomed coat are characteristic of this disease.
● Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) (p 751)
This is a rare disease in cats, but is typically associated with small bowel diarrhea, weight loss and
a ravenous appetite.
● Hypoadrenocorticism (p 754)
The classic signs include depression, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. However, GI signs do not
occur in all cases, and the cause of the vomiting or diarrhea is unknown. Some cats will not
develop concurrent mineralocorticoid deficiency with the glucocorticoid deficiency, and thus elec-
trolyte disturbances will not be apparent.
NEOPLASTIC
● Alimentary lymphosarcoma* (p 742)
This is the most common neoplasm of the feline intestine, and because of the lymphocytic infil-
trate and clinical presentation, is easily confused with IBD. Most cats with alimentary lymphoma
are FeLV antigen negative. Aggressive chemotherapy is the only effective treatment, and may
result in a 3–12-month survival time.
● Intestinal adenocarcinoma (p 750)
The intestinal tract is a much less common location for adenocarcinoma than the colon in cats.
This tumor is the second most common intestinal tumor and tends to cause obstructive lesions of
the ileum that frequently cause vomiting, but may also be associated with diarrhea. Siamese cats
may be predisposed.
● Intestinal mast cell tumor (p 753)
Intestinal mast cell tumors are the third most common neoplasm affecting the feline small bowel,
but are rare occurrences. This tumor is aggressive, poorly responsive to therapy and usually has
metastasized by the time of diagnosis.

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