Podcast: Watery Diarrhea & Frequent Fecal Dribbling in a Cat With Dr. Pohlman
Lisa M. Pohlman, DVM, MS, DACVP, Kansas State University
In this episode, host Alyssa Watson, DVM, welcomes back Lisa M. Pohlman, DVM, MS, DACVP, to talk about her recent Clinician’s Brief article, “Watery Diarrhea & Frequent Fecal Dribbling in a Cat.” Dr. Pohlman covers her diagnostic process when determining the cause of this cat’s diarrhea, with an emphasis on differentiating between Giardia spp and Tritrichomonas foetus. After determining a diagnosis of T foetus, Dr. Pohlman then discusses treatment, patient monitoring, follow-up, and how to prevent spread.
Key Takeaways
Tritrichomonas foetus and Giardia spp can be differentiated based on motility. Trichomonads have rapid, forward motility, whereas Giardia spp do not exhibit this motion.
PCR is the preferred test for diagnosis of T foetus.
Ronidazole is the only drug that has demonstrated to be effective.
This drug is potentially carcinogenic for humans, and extreme caution should be used, even when handling feces of cats receiving this medication.
Outside of the cat, T foetus lasts ~24 hours. T foetus is not considered zoonotic, but case reports of infected humans exist.
In most infected cats, signs generally resolve within ~2 years, even without treatment.
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The Team:
Alyssa Watson, DVM - Host
Alexis Ussery - Producer & Digital Content Coordinator
Randall Stupka - Podcast Production & Sound Editing