Treating Colitis in Cats

Dog Breeds

The therapeutic goals for treating colitis are to relieve the cat’s physical symptoms and remove or resolve any identifiable underlying conditions.

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Introduction

Colitis is a complicated condition that requires an accurate diagnosis before effective treatment can begin. The therapeutic goals for treating colitis are to relieve the cat’s physical symptoms and remove or resolve any identifiable underlying conditions. The choice of treatment will depend upon why the cat’s colon is inflamed and the frequency and severity of its symptoms. In some cases, colitis can actually be cured, while in others it can be controlled through medical management and dietary modification. Outpatient treatment is preferred, unless the accompanying diarrhea is so severe that the cat becomes dangerously dehydrated and requires inpatient intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy.

Treatment Options for Cats with Colitis

Most cases of acute colitis in cats are treated symptomatically, because the cause is never determined and the symptoms typically resolve on their own. However, chronic colitis almost always requires further medical attention. A number of drugs can be used to treat feline colitis, depending upon its specific cause. Antibiotics, anthelmintics (anti-parasitic drugs), antiprotozoal medications and other antimicrobial drugs are available to treat infections by ringworm, whipworm, tapeworm, hookworm, giardia, clostridia, salmonella, campylobacter and other microorganisms. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs, including corticosteroids, often are used in particularly severe or refractory chronic cases. Cats given steroids require regular veterinary re-checks to properly manage the treatment. So-called “motility modulators” can provide symptomatic relief from the consequences of chronic large bowel diarrhea caused by colitis.

Cats should be monitored closely no matter what medications are given. Any prescriptions should be administered in strict accordance with the veterinarian’s instructions and should be given for the full duration of the prescribed time. New drugs and other treatments are constantly under development. Until fairly recently, there was no available treatment for Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats. Veterinarians now have a medication that effectively resolves the diarrhea and other symptoms of colitis caused by this organism and eliminates the organism from the cat’s system.

Withholding food for 24 to 36 hours can help minimize the severity of colitis. When feeding recommences, the diet should be fed frequently in small portions and be bland – rice, low-cottage cheese, yoghurt, tofu, strained meat baby food and sometimes chicken are often recommended by veterinarians. Specific prescription diets formulated for affected felines are available to control episodic colitis outbreaks. These formulas are highly digestible and promote maintenance of “good” intestinal bacteria, while discouraging “bad” bacterial populations from thriving. An elimination or hypoallergenic diet may also be suggested, if food allergies are among the suspected causative culprits. Foods with moderate soluble fiber, and soluble fiber supplementation, can help reduce uncomfortable straining during defecation and facilitate repair of inflamed intestinal tissue. Fatty acid supplements can also help minimize the consequences of intestinal irritation. Of course, cats should always have free access to fresh water, unless a veterinarian recommends otherwise. Anxiety and stress can contribute greatly to outbreaks of colitis in cats. Cats prone to gastrointestinal irritation should be kept in a calm, quiet, stable indoor environment.

If these therapies do not resolve the cat’s colitis, colon cancer or some other systemic disorder may be present. Many local colonic tumors can be removed surgically. Other cancers may be treated with radiation and/or multi-drug chemotherapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for cats with colitis ranges from guarded to excellent. Acute colitis usually is very responsive to supportive care. Dietary-responsive chronic colitis carries an excellent prognosis, with appropriate dietary management. The prognosis for cats with chronic colitis is highly variable, depending upon the underlying cause of the condition. If infectious or parasitic causes can be eliminated, the prognosis is excellent for these cats, as well.

Diagnosis and Tests