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My cat has diarrhea for weeks, vet meds didn't work. What now?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 7 months and 26 days old | 8 lbs

My cats been having diarrhea for a week and a half, he’s still drinking and eating but his poop has a strange smell similar to plastic I’d say and it’s very watery and has trouble making it to the bathroom, do you have any advice? I’ve already seen a vet and they gave me meds that did not work I’ve given him cerenia and metrozindale and fortifora as well as boiled chicken and rice none of it has worked

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Makenzie Kurth, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 8th, 2019

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The next steps for me would be a deworming and switching to a prescription GI diet to see if that helps.

If no improvement, abdominal ultrasound and full bloodwork are indicated.

Best wishes to you and Sven!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 23rd, 2018
I would recommend ultrasound as the next step. The reason your vet is most likely skipping the ultrasound is that when looking at the intestines on ultrasound your looking for irritable bowel disease or lymphoma. Lymphoma is less likely due to her age and both are treated with steroids. Gold standard is ultrasound +/- biopsy. If you were a client and stated you would not do an ultrasound then I would also recommend a trial of steroids. I would also consider changing her diet to a hydrolyzed protein diet and see if that helps.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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