Gastritis is a disease associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which can affect not only humans but also animals, including domestic cats. Gastritis is classified as acute or chronic. Acute gastritis has a pronounced manifestation and is easily identified by its symptoms, while the symptoms of chronic gastritis are common to many other diseases.
Decreased appetite
Any animal with gastritis suffers from loss of appetite. This is understandable, as the pet has a stomach ache, is generally in poor health, and doesn't even want to think about food. When a cat is really ill, it may completely refuse food, even its favorite treats.
If your pet refuses food without reason, or if other signs of illness appear, it's important to take them to a specialist. If there are no other alarming symptoms other than refusal to eat, it's worth reviewing your pet's diet and checking for spoilage.
Pet lethargy
A cat may become less active due to age, as older animals prefer to lie down and rest. However, if a previously healthy and active animal suddenly becomes lethargic, it's time to sound the alarm. Gastritis or a stomach ulcer can cause a cat to become lethargic, listless, and stop playing. Sometimes, it may even hide in dark corners to avoid being disturbed. If you notice this behavior in your pet, take them to the veterinarian immediately before the illness becomes acute.
Constant thirst for water
Gastritis in cats causes a severe burning sensation and pain in the stomach, an insatiable thirst, and the animal drinks a lot but eats nothing. If thirst is the only symptom present, it may be due to overheating (for example, in a stuffy room during the summer).
The pet is worried
During severe attacks, the cat may behave erratically and anxiously. He can't sit still, constantly paces, appears agitated, and refuses to be touched, especially his belly.
During acute attacks, the animal stands with its front paws wide apart and its head down.
The cat has diarrhea
Any type of gastritis in cats will sooner or later cause bowel problems. For example, hypoacid gastritis causes diarrhea, while hyperacid gastritis causes constipation. Any bowel problems in a pet should be a cause for concern for the owner; this symptom should not be ignored, especially if blood clots are already visible in the animal's stool. In this case, it is essential to take the animal to a veterinarian immediately, otherwise a serious outcome is possible.
Other symptoms of gastritis
Gastritis and ulcers in cats are characterized by a wide range of symptoms, but not all of them necessarily occur in the same animal. Each animal experiences the disease differently, but gastritis typically exhibits several of the following symptoms:
- increased body temperature (not always);
- vomiting after eating, sometimes with bile or blood;
- rapid weight loss;
- dull coat;
- gray coating on the tongue;
- halitosis.
With chronic gastritis, the clinical picture can be vague. The disease develops gradually over several years, and owners don't always notice changes in their pet's behavior and appearance in time.
Causes of the disease
The list of reasons why a cat might get gastritis is simply huge, but here are the most common ones:
- the animal ate something inedible, for example, a toy, its own fur, a poisonous plant, etc.;
- feeding poor quality dry food (you can’t skimp on your pet’s nutrition, this can lead to illness and expensive treatment);
- stress;
- food that is too hot or too cold (the cat's food should be at room temperature);
- worms;
- urolithiasis;
- a sharp change in diet (for example, from natural food to dry food or vice versa);
- infections;
- fungus;
- pancreatitis and much more.
If gastritis was caused by a disease, the veterinarian must conduct the necessary tests and examinations and first treat the underlying disease, and then treat the consequences, that is, gastritis.
