feline diarhea

Question
hi I live on a ranch .and a cat RAN up to me the other day.as it approached I almost died...this is a walking skeleton...purring like crazy? I have rehabed many animals ..but not cats..despite numerous wounds on its spinal column,,,even a little fragment of bone showing thru it is doing great?!I have it on an oral antibiotic labeled"for cat wounds" its appetite and attitude are great...but moderate diarhea for 4 days now..I switched its diet to 50/50 canned cat food and boiled rice..slipped in a little Kaopectate..any suggestions ? thanks..  

Answer
Hi Deb!  Thanks for taking this poor soul under your wing.

He really does need to see a vet.  Chronic pain, which will probably result from his injuries, has been shown to significantly lower the life expectancy of a cat.  It's great that he's got a good appetite and has a cheery disposition.  However, cats are among the animals most able to mask their pain.  Their survival in the wild depends on it, as weak and ill ones are easy prey.  So although he appears to be well on the outside, he may still be suffering.

The diarrhea may be related to the antibiotic.  It's a common side effect.  However, there are numerous common causes of diarrhea in cats.  Parasitic worms like roundworms and tapeworms are very common.  Protozoan infections like giardia and coccidia are also common.  Then there are food intolerances, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, bacterial illnesses, and viral illnesses.

Two very common illnesses in outdoor cats are feline leukemia, and to a lesser extent, feline AIDS.  Both of these can cause chronic symptoms like diarrhea, skin problems, tooth problems, etc.  There are blood tests for both.  I recommend having him tested, and if he is to stay outside, having him vaccinated at least against feline leukemia.  This virus is now the most common cause of death by disease in cats in the U.S.  There is a vaccine against feline AIDS, but it's less effective, and it will cause the cat to test positive in the future.  That will be a bad thing if he is ever to go to a new home.  The best way to prevent feline AIDS, in my opinion, is to have the cat spayed or neutered.  Unneutered males are by far the most affected, because this virus is passed through bite wounds.

As far as Kaopectate, discontinue it.  It contains a salicylate (so does Pepto Bismol), which can be deadly to cats.  The vet can prescribe an appropriate antidiarrheal.  Immodium is used most frequently, but you have to be extremely careful with the dose, because it can cause constipation if given just a tiny bit in excess, and constipation can be more dangerous than diarrhea.  A vet really needs to give you the proper dosage based on the kitty's weight.

Best wishes!

Jessica