EDITOR’S NOTE: B. Eric is our guest columnist in this issue. In January 2011, he found himself in a rescue after living with the same family for 10 years. Thankfully, B. Eric's time at the rescue was short as he was adopted in early February by a loving couple. He now has four feline siblings and has adapted to his new family very well. Despite being 10 years old, B. Eric has nap-attacks like a kitten and can fall asleep in very odd positions. He's a big boy at almost 17 pounds and is extremely playful, especially around tall scratching posts.
The two most common and obvious digestive issues in cats are vomiting and diarrhea. Both of these, if they persist, can be serious and lead to dehydration. In cats, dehydration can become life threatening very quickly. Kittens and older cats are especially vulnerable to the problems of dehydration. A trip to your veterinarian for diagnosis and possible rehydration is advised if repeated episodes of vomiting or diarrhea last more than one day. Immediate veterinary attention is required if blood is present in either the vomit or the stool.
Another obvious issue affecting most cats is the occasional hairball. All cat owners have groaned when that inevitable hairball is coughed up; usually, it seems, just after the floor has been cleaned. The occasional hairball is fairly common and fairly normal, because of a cat's grooming technique, but excessive or repeated hairballs could be a cause for concern. Usually hairballs are passed through the digestive system without any problems, but if they don't it could be an indication of stomach or intestinal problems.
There are also other digestive problems cats may experience that are not so obvious. The pancreas is a small organ that is vital for humans and animals to survive. It supplies insulin for sugar absorption and secretes enzymes that aid digestion. When there are insufficient amounts of these enzymes food will not be absorbed properly and weight loss will result.
Also, pancreatitis can result if the pancreas becomes inflamed. If this condition occurs the enzymes of the pancreas spill out and, rather than digesting food, they begin to digest the pancreas itself as well as other organs. This is a serious condition and one that is more difficult to diagnose in cats. Loss of appetite and weight loss are common symptoms. Your vet will need to do a thorough exam with blood work included to properly diagnose.
We all know that cats are excellent hunters, but sometimes this hunting instinct can get them into trouble. If a small item is accidentally dropped on the floor, without fail, a cat will find it. More often than not the cat will be happy to just play with it until the human can retrieve it, but sometimes it will be swallowed. If this happens the object can become lodged in the cat's throat or intestines resulting in a blockage. You may not realize there is a problem until you notice your friend trying to vomit with nothing coming out or straining and being unable to pass a stool. An immediate trip to the vet is necessary to determine what is causing the blockage, where it is located and hopefully easy removal.
Most cats will never experience anything more serious than that annoying hairball, but it is always good to be aware of any potential issues that could affect your furry friend and the quality of life they have with you.
English author William Ralph Inge once said, "A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, which is more than can be said for human beings." Meow.
