Why Is My Domestic Shorthair Having Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea? (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Karyn is a small animal veterinarian originally from Australia, now based in the UK. She holds degrees in Veterinary Science (2010) and Zoology. When not helping pets, she tends to her 5 cats and garden!
The Question
Dear Veterinarian, I am writing to ask for advice regarding my cat, who weighs approximately 2 kg. He has been experiencing abdominal pain for about two weeks. Since Monday, he has developed severe diarrhea and has started defecating outside his litter box. He seems to have abdominal discomfort, and I am concerned because the diarrhea has continued while the abdominal pain has been present for quite some time. I currently have metronidazole at home and was wondering whether it would be appropriate for him, and if so, what dosage would be safe for a cat weighing approximately 2 kg. I have not yet given him a measured dose because I do not want to accidentally give him too much. Unfortunately, I have very limited time to take him to the veterinarian at the moment, so I would really appreciate your advice on what I can do at home and whether his condition requires urgent veterinary attention. Could you please let me know: What could potentially be causing these symptoms? Whether metronidazole would be appropriate in his case? What dosage, if any, would be safe for a 2 kg cat? What warning signs should I watch for? Thank you very much for your help.
Quick Info about Minouchat
Hi Elhy,
Thanks for writing in.
Although Metronidazole is sometimes used to treat certain causes of diarrhea, I would not recommend using it without a specific diagnosis from your vet, as you could make things worse if it's not the right treatment.
Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain have a range of different causes, including intestinal parasites like worms or a protozoa called Giardia, which can be picked up from contaminated water. He may have developed a food intolerance/inflammatory bowel disease, or some bacterial and viral infections can also cause diarrhea, as can liver disease or even cancer.
Because the signs have been going on so long, I would urge you to make an appointment for Minouchat to be examined by the vet. In the meantime, I would be offering him bland food like plain boiled chicken or some commercial foods that are designed for cats with sensitive stomachs. Additionally, you could also offer him a pro-biotic paste to help settle the diarrhea.
But most importantly, do make an appointment for Minouchat with the vet. When making the appointment, ask them if you should collect some fecal samples, as this might help speed up the diagnostic process.
Good luck!
Dr Karyn