Introduction

Diagnosing the cause of colitis in cats is not an easy task. It requires a diligent and methodical course of inquiries and diagnostic tests.

Diagnosing Feline Colitis

A thorough history and physical examination, including careful abdominal palpation and assessment of the cat’s presenting symptoms, should be conducted in all suspected cases of colitis. Among the first diagnostic tests for cats with either acute or chronic colitis are rectal and fecal examinations, which may involve fecal flotation, direct fecal smear, rectal cytology, bacterial culture and/or fungal culture. These tests can disclose the presence of infectious intestinal microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and/or protozoal parasites, among others. Routine blood and urine assessments typically are normal in acute cases but may reveal a primary underlying medical disorder contributing to secondary chronic colitis.

Abdominal imaging (radiographs [X-rays], barium enemas and abdominal ultrasound) can help identify impactions, masses or other possible contributing causes, although abdominal ultrasound is a poor screening tool for large intestinal disease. These imaging techniques are time consuming, expensive and often not diagnostically conclusive. Specialized tests for diabetes, renal (kidney) disease, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) may also be performed, because these conditions can cause colitis or colitis-like symptoms in cats.

Colonoscopy (endoscopic examination of the colon), with multiple biopsies of the lining of the lower bowel taken from multiple locations, is the diagnostic technique of choice for infiltrative colonic disease. Proctoscopy (endoscopic examination of the rectum) is also available to visualize and biopsy the terminal end of the large intestine. These procedures are performed under heavy sedation or general anesthesia and typically are only done in severe, chronic cases. Biopsy samples will be sent to a laboratory for microscopic assessment by a process called histopathology.

Acute colitis sometimes is diagnosed based simply on the rapid resolution of the cat’s symptoms without medical treatment, or alternatively on the cat’s response to dietary modification and management.

Special Notes