Companion Animals

Lymphocytic Plasmacytic Colitis in Cats: Welfare and Management

Welfare guide to chronic colitis in cats -- a common cause of large bowel diarrhoea and welfare deterioration.

Key Facts

Lymphocytic plasmacytic colitis (LPC) causes chronic large bowel inflammation in cats
Clinical signs include frequent small volumes of mucoid or bloody diarrhoea, straining, and urgency
LPC is part of the spectrum of feline inflammatory bowel disease and may overlap with low-grade lymphoma
Dietary management -- particularly highly digestible, novel protein diets -- is the first-line treatment in many cases
Chronic diarrhoea causes significant welfare deterioration through urgency, discomfort, and dehydration risk
The distinction between IBD and low-grade lymphoma requires intestinal biopsies for definitive diagnosis
Prednisolone and chlorambucil are effective treatments when dietary management alone is insufficient
Weight monitoring and quality-of-life assessment guide ongoing management decisions

Welfare Significance

Chronic colitis causes welfare deterioration through persistent discomfort, urgency, and the indignity of uncontrolled diarrhoea. Affected cats are often uncomfortable, reluctant to use the litter tray, and experience repeated episodes of abdominal cramping. Dietary management and immunosuppressive treatment provide significant welfare improvement in most cases. The challenge is distinguishing IBD from lymphoma to guide appropriate treatment.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any cat with chronic large bowel diarrhoea lasting more than 2-3 weeks
Trial a highly digestible or novel protein diet before committing to medication
Pursue intestinal biopsy if initial dietary and medical management does not achieve adequate control
Monitor weight monthly -- weight loss in a cat with chronic diarrhoea warrants urgent reassessment