Have you had a tummy ache and felt terrible? Imagine if you had it all of the time; that’s how your cat feels if he suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Recognizing and treating his IBS is part of your job as his main caregiver.
Step 1
Watch for bouts of diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss in your cat. These are the most common symptoms and generally stem from anxiety or stress, according to the Cat Health Guide.
Step 2
Rule out other possible causes by visiting your veterinarian for tests that may include X-rays, blood tests and urine tests. Several other diseases, like liver disease and parasites, may cause the same symptoms as IBS.
Step 3
Determine what triggers an episode. For instance, does eating a certain type of food cause Fluffy’s belly to ache? Often stress, such as living with other animals, is a trigger. Identifying what causes the symptoms helps you attack it head on.
Step 4
Remove the stressor that makes your baby uncomfortable. If his diet causes discomfort, switch to a food designed for easy feline digestion. For instance, a hypoallergenic diet that includes food made from deer or rabbit may fix his issues.
Step 5
Treat the causes with medication if your veterinarian determines they are due to inflammation or bacteria. Generally your veterinarian prescribes steroids or antibiotics for this type of IBS. Also, natural remedies, like vitamins or dietary supplements, may relive the symptoms.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
References
Resources
Tips
- Remember, treatment is generally for a lifetime. Therefore, just because she shows improvement doesn’t mean you can stop treating her.
Warnings
- If symptoms do not improve with treatment or your cat continues to lose weight, return to your vet for additional tests.
Writer Bio
Amanda Maddox began writing professionally in 2007. Her work appears on various websites focusing on topics about medical billing, coding, real estate, insurance, accounting and business. Maddox has her insurance and real estate licenses and holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting and business administration from Wallace State Community College.