Feline Diarrhoea: acute or chronic?
A clear, practical overview of PCR, LAMP, and qPCR for vet nurses – speed, reliability, Ct values, and when to use each in the clinic.
“Diarrhoea is the most consistent clinical sign of intestinal disease in cats.”
But knowing why it’s happening and whether it’s acute or chronic, is the real challenge.
More than just loose stools – Acute vs. Chronic
Every vet team sees feline diarrhoea. Sometimes it’s a one-off episode after a diet change. Other times, it’s weeks or months of persistent loose stools. The difference between acute and chronic diarrhoea isn’t just time, it reflects very different underlying causes.
⚡Acute diarrhoea often strikes suddenly and can be linked to infections such as Feline Parvovirus or Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella sp, Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridium difficile, Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) or Cystoisospora felis and C. rivolta in kittens. These patients may be dehydrated, lethargic, and at risk of rapid deterioration.
Remember:
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Co-infections are common.
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Severity doesn’t always equal chronicity. An acute FPV case can be extremely severe, while a chronic Giardia case may be milder but long-lasting.
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Some pathogens can cause both acute in one cat, chronic in another (depending on age, immune status, etc.).
The role of history and examination
A careful history is key. It helps us to:
Differentiate small-bowel vs. large-bowel diarrhoea (volume, mucus, urgency, blood).
Identify dietary triggers or intolerances.
Spot risk factors.
Physical examination should focus on:
Hydration, body condition, pallor, and fever.
Palpation of intestines for thickening, pain, or masses.Thyroid, kidneys, and liver for systemic disease clues.
This initial work-up sets the stage, but often, it’s not enough to pinpoint the cause.
