What is Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats?
Colonic inflammation, or colitis, occurs when the lining of the colon thickens, hindering the colon's ability to properly absorb water and store feces. Rectal inflammation, or proctitis, causes the lining of the lower part of the digestive tract, the anus and rectum, to thicken. Both types of inflammation typically occur when the digestive linings are infiltrated by various cells.
Colitis and proctitis can cause a loss of nutrients, dehydration and pain in cats. Identifying the reason for the thickening in the digestive tract is critical in both identifying and treating colitis and proctitis.
Symptoms of Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats
Symptoms may begin suddenly (acute) or develop …show more content…
Explaining all of the cat's symptoms, as well as giving the approximate time that symptoms first began, can help the veterinarian in diagnosing what is causing the colitis or proctitis. The veterinarian will gently examine the cat and perform a rectal palpation by using a gloved hand to gently feel inside the cat's rectum.
Several labs will be performed in order for the veterinarian to see the impact that the inflammation is having on the cat's body and to determine why it is occurring. These labs include a complete blood count, urinalysis and biochemical profile. The veterinarian will also want a stool sample from the cat in order to perform a fecal flotation test and a direct fecal smear. These tests will look for the presence of any parasites, bacteria, infectious organisms and …show more content…
A colonoscopy may also be performed. During the colonoscopy, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a thin tube with an attached camera is inserted into their colon through the rectum. The veterinarian can take tissue samples, remove any polyps and view any abnormalities from within the digestive tract during a colonoscopy. Tissues and polyps removed during the colonoscopy will be sent to an outside lab for further testing.
Treatment of Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats
Fluid Therapy
Because colitis and proctitis can cause severe dehydration, the cat may need to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluids. The cat will need to be hospitalized until their fluid levels have returned to normal. The cat's kidneys will be monitored during this time to ensure they are reacting well to the fluids.
Surgery
If tumors or scar tissue are found in the colon or rectum during the examination, surgery will need to take place in order to remove the tumor or severely scarred sections. Fungal infections may also require surgery.
Colonic inflammation, or colitis, occurs when the lining of the colon thickens, hindering the colon's ability to properly absorb water and store feces. Rectal inflammation, or proctitis, causes the lining of the lower part of the digestive tract, the anus and rectum, to thicken. Both types of inflammation typically occur when the digestive linings are infiltrated by various cells.
Colitis and proctitis can cause a loss of nutrients, dehydration and pain in cats. Identifying the reason for the thickening in the digestive tract is critical in both identifying and treating colitis and proctitis.
Symptoms of Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats
Symptoms may begin suddenly (acute) or develop …show more content…
Explaining all of the cat's symptoms, as well as giving the approximate time that symptoms first began, can help the veterinarian in diagnosing what is causing the colitis or proctitis. The veterinarian will gently examine the cat and perform a rectal palpation by using a gloved hand to gently feel inside the cat's rectum.
Several labs will be performed in order for the veterinarian to see the impact that the inflammation is having on the cat's body and to determine why it is occurring. These labs include a complete blood count, urinalysis and biochemical profile. The veterinarian will also want a stool sample from the cat in order to perform a fecal flotation test and a direct fecal smear. These tests will look for the presence of any parasites, bacteria, infectious organisms and …show more content…
A colonoscopy may also be performed. During the colonoscopy, the cat will be placed under general anesthesia while a thin tube with an attached camera is inserted into their colon through the rectum. The veterinarian can take tissue samples, remove any polyps and view any abnormalities from within the digestive tract during a colonoscopy. Tissues and polyps removed during the colonoscopy will be sent to an outside lab for further testing.
Treatment of Colonic or Rectal Inflammation in Cats
Fluid Therapy
Because colitis and proctitis can cause severe dehydration, the cat may need to be hospitalized in order to receive intravenous fluids. The cat will need to be hospitalized until their fluid levels have returned to normal. The cat's kidneys will be monitored during this time to ensure they are reacting well to the fluids.
Surgery
If tumors or scar tissue are found in the colon or rectum during the examination, surgery will need to take place in order to remove the tumor or severely scarred sections. Fungal infections may also require surgery.