Diarrhea is a common condition in which there is excess water in the stool due to either the colon’s inability to absorb water as it travels through the intestines or due to the excess secretion of water by the large intestine.
Diarrhea may be either acute (one or more episodes of diarrhea lasting less than 14 days) or chronic (lasting more than 14 days or intermittent over 3-4 weeks).
For dogs, many cases of acute diarrhea can be attributed to a dietary indiscretion, which is less often the case for cats. Cats, in fact, are more likely to have cases of chronic diarrhea.
Diarrhea may be a clinical sign of an intestinal problem or a disorder not involving the intestines.
Veterinarians make a distinction between vomiting and regurgitation. Vomiting refers to the forceful expulsion of contents from the stomach. Regurgitation, on the other hand, is the passive return of contents from the esophagus. Food that is regurgitated never makes it to the stomach.
Vomiting can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). Acute vomiting lasts less than 3-4 days and has no other signs present. Chronic vomiting refers to vomiting lasting longer than 5-7 days or intermittent vomiting that does not respond to medical treatment. Chronic vomiting can occur more than once or twice a day and be accompanied by other clinical signs, such as blood, abdominal pain or fever.
Your cat needs a high-quality balanced diet to make sure she gets the vitamins and minerals her body needs. New pet food diets and trends come and go, so be sure to ask your veterinarian any questions before starting your cat on a new diet. If you’re wondering what to feed your new cat, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
Cat and dog foods aren’t the same and you shouldn’t feed your cat dog food or vice versa. Cats need specific vitamins and amino acids, such as:
Vitamin A: In order to keep a cat’s vision and skin healthy, your cat needs a certain amount of Vitamin A. Dogs don’t have to worry about getting vitamin A from their food because their bodies turn beta carotene into this necessary vitamin.
Taurine: While dogs can make their own supply of this important amino acid, cats need to get it from their diet. Feeding cats dog food can lead to a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Though many people think cats like a fish-only diet, feeding only fish to your cat won’t give them the amount of taurine they require.
Arachidonic acid: This fatty acid helps cats produce an inflammatory response to naturally protect against illness, control skin growth, and help other parts of the body function properly. While dogs can make their own, cats need to get arachidonic acid from their food.
Protein: Cats need more protein than dogs and fewer carbohydrates. This is especially important for kittens and adult cats who are nursing.
A cough is a reflex that induces a forceful exhalation of air from the lungs in order to clear the airways. There are multiple ways to describe a cough (dry or moist, short or harsh, faint or deep, honking) and it can be followed by swallowing, gagging, retching, noisy breathing, or difficulty breathing. There are a wide variety of conditions that can cause a cough.
Plants are a great way to add color to your home. Unfortunately, not all of them are safe for pets — and some can even be deadly. Here are 10 common plants to avoid and their non-toxic alternatives. Please note that eating any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.
For a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants and flowers, go to https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants
