Colibacillosis

What is Colibacillosis??

Colibacillosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli, more commonly known as E. coli, is a gram-negative member of the enterobacteriaceae group and is normally found in the intestinal flora of most mammals.

It can cause acute infection in very young kittens during the first weeks of life and is characterized by sepsis (blood poisoning) and multiple organ involvement.

Finding E. coli in the feces of young animals is not conclusive evidence that it is behind the illness because E. coli is normally found in the intestinal flora.

Stronger evidence of e-coli is if E. coli is found in blood samples or in tissue samples from internal organs.

E. coli infection has also been documented in older dogs and cats, but knowledge about which strains of E. coli are more harmful than others is still poor. E. coli, in combination with other infectious agents, can make a parvovirus infection much more serious.

What are the symptoms of E. Coli Infection in Cats?
The symptoms depend on where in the cat's body the E. coli infection is located.

Urinary tract:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased thirst
• Accidents outside the litter box
• Vocalization during urination
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Odor in the urine
• Straining to urinate with little to no urine coming out (stranguria)
• Painful and/or distended abdomen
• Elevated body temperature (fever)
• Reduced or complete loss of appetite

Gastrointestinal infections:

• Watery diarrhea with or without blood
• Vomiting
• Reduced or total loss of appetite
• Depression

Pyometra (often after heats where pregnancy did not occur):

• Vaginal discharge
• Reduced or total loss of appetite
• Diffuse and/or painful abdomen
• Increased thirst and/or urination (may mimic a urinary tract infection)
• Impaired general condition (Lethargy)
• Depression

Colibacillosis in newborn kittens at 0-2 weeks:
(E. coli is one of the most common causes of sepsis and death among kittens.)

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Severe diarrhea (yellow or bloody)
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Dehydration
• Sepsis

How is E. Coli transmitted??
An animal can become infected with E. coli through contact with human or animal feces.
Warning! E. Coli is contagious to humans Unfortunately, humans can get E. coli when cleaning the litter box if good hygiene practices are not followed.
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water after cleaning the litter box.
Wear gloves when handling cat urine and feces, especially if you have a weak immune system or are more prone to illness.
It is also wise to keep children away from the litter box.

How long does e.coli live in the environment?
Bacteria like E. coli may only live for 20 minutes but can live for up to four hours on hard surfaces

How long does it take to recover from an E. Coli infection?
Recovery time from an E. coli infection depends on how your cat responds to treatment.
All medications must be given exactly as prescribed, for the appropriate amount of time, to ensure the infection is gone.

A new bacterial culture is often done at the end of treatment to confirm that no E. coli remains.

If your cat is an outdoor cat that regularly eats prey, it should be kept indoors only to avoid spreading the disease and prevent recurrence.

How is E. Coli infection in cats treated?
If your cat is not seriously ill, their E. coli infection can likely be treated at home with antibiotics.
Antibiotics are prescribed based on test results and are usually given for 10 to 14 days or longer depending on the severity of the infection.

If your cat has an E. coli infection that is causing a pyometra, surgery is the best treatment option to remove the uterus, which will remove the infection.
Pyometra can be life-threatening, so antibiotic treatment is often not enough.
If your cat has severe symptoms, such as loss of appetite, dehydration, or prolonged vomiting, she will likely need to be hospitalized for treatment and supportive care.
Intravenous fluids (IVF), antibiotics, and anti-nausea medications will be given, depending on your cat's clinical symptoms.
If your cat is not eating, tube feeding may be considered, which can be the difference between life and death.

Kittens also require aggressive treatment, including bottle feeding, to keep their blood sugar at a good level.

Is E. Coli Infection Fatal?
Yes, mainly in young kittens but can also be in adults.
E. coli infections can be fatal in cats if not treated promptly and aggressively.
Infections in the blood (sepsis) or a pyometra are the most serious conditions.

Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/e-coli-in-cats
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/e-coli-infection-in-cats/