My senior cat has diarrhea and drinks more. When should I see a vet?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description, I am quite concerned she may be dehydrated and may have some systemic disease or infection going on. I would have a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions / concerns and I would be happy to help further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite and diarrhea can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Otto evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poot Honey Bee!! I think Honey Bee needs to see your Vet today. Losing weight, vomiting and diarrhea in an older cat can be concerning. The sound you may be hearing when she eats is grinding of her teeth which cats can do when they are nauseous or have stomach issues. Possible causes for her symptoms are: kidney failure, liver problems, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or possibly but less likely an obstruction (ate something that is stuck). Most of the above can be easily diagnosed on blood work. Your Vet may want to take an X-ray of her belly as well. I hope this helps and I wish Honey Bee the best!

I would recommend you take your cat to the vet on Monday. They can do a fecal examination to rule out intestinal parasites and possibly an X-ray to rule out a blockage/foreign body. Your vet can also give you some medication to help stop the diarrhea. If the diarrhea becomes bloody and/or your cat starts vomiting as well then I would recommend getting him in to an ER vet to make sure nothing too serious is going on.

Drinking a lot of water can be a sign of kidney problems or diabetes. Depending on your cat's age not using the litter box may be a sign of arthritis (most cats get arthritis by the age of 7) and squatting may hurt, so he would hold his bowel movement until he can't hold it any more and then does not make it into the litter box in time. I suggest you take him to your vet for a blood test and exam and assessment for pain medicine.

I would highly recommend a veterinarian. My concern is Kinder's age and the increase in drinking with vomiting. She may have kidney disease or be in kidney failure. This causes increased drinking and vomiting. Ideally Kinder needs blood work to evaluate her. I am so sorry Kinder isn't doing well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! He is so handsome! Vomiting and diarrhea can occur secondary to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, dietary indiscretion, parasites, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have Kalvin evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. At the very least they can start him on medications to make him feel better and check his hydration status. In the meantime, keep water available at all times to try to prevent dehydration. Good luck and have a good day!