vomdia

Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

Vomiting
Vomiting is associated with many serious diseases and conditions in the dog, particularly canine parvovirus disease, haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, kidney disease and pyometra in bitches. In these diseases vomiting will usually be accompanied by loss of appetite, depression and diarrhoea. Veterinary help is needed at once and must definitely not be delayed if there is blood in the vomit.
Dogs vomit easily and occasional incidents are to be expected and are nothing to worry about. Vomiting is part of the defence mechanism of the body, enabling the stomach to get rid of an excess of food, water or unsuitable or decayed matter before it passes further into the digestive system and cause harm. Prolonged or persistent vomiting, particularly if the vomit contains blood, requires immediate veterinary attention.
Vomiting is defined as an active expulsion of stomach and intestinal contents, and is differentiated from regurgitation, which is a passive process characterized by lack of abdominal push. Occasionally material from the duodenum of the small intestine also accompanies the stomach (gastric) contents. Chronic vomiting is characterized by persistent or recurrent vomiting for more than two weeks. Although most of us think that vomiting is a sign of stomach problems, vomiting can be associated with disease in almost any body system, including the central nervous system, kidneys, pancreas, and liver. A detailed history provided by the pet owner regarding duration of vomiting and character of the vomit, coupled with age and species, are the cornerstones of diagnosis. Vomiting may be caused by inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), and often happens when dogs eat grass or spoiled food (Dietary indiscretion (eating inappropriate food/material).

There are three main types of vomiting

1. True Vomiting
This involves movement of the muscles in the abdomen, chest or diaphragm (ie heaving) in order to eject the contents of the stomach.

The main danger of repeated or continuous vomiting is dehydration (loss of body fluids), so that the volume of circulating blood is decreased and the dog goes into a state of shock rapidly. Dehydration can be recognized by picking up a fold of skin on the dog's back between your finger and thumb. If the fold remains 'tented' when you release it, dehydration is indicated.

It is wrong to allow a vomiting dog to drink its fill of cold water as this often leads to further vomiting, but it is also dangerous to withhold water completely. Instead very small amounts of water should be offered every half hour.

In cases of persistent vomiting where the dog is not eating, it may be helpful to dissolve one heaped tablespoon of glucose in one pint of boiled water and to offer this in small quantities. Seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

If the vomit contains identifiable food, it may be helpful to trace the time it has been in the stomach. Note particularly whether the vomit consists of small food particles with a quantity of frothy saliva; or large quantities of recently drunk water plus yellow bile and stomach fluids
Make a note of how much water is given and when. Record how long it is retained

Projectile Vomiting
This is used to describe a particular kind of vomiting action in which recently eaten food is ejected with some force, sometimes over a distance of several feet. It is seen most frequently in puppies from 6-16 weeks old, but may not be noticed until the puppy is separated from the rest of the litter. Vomiting of this type when only part of the food and liquid is retained is associated with failure of the stomach to empty its contents into the intestine, and is often associated with pyloric stenosis (a malfunction of the exit valve of the stomach). Seek veterinary help as surgical correction may be possible.

An estimate of how much food and/or liquid is retained is helpful, as well as daily weighing of the puppy, in order to monitor growth and weight gain

2. Regurgitation
The second type of vomiting is regurgitation - a more passive action used to bring up sausage-shaped boluses of something recently eaten. When freshly eaten food is regurgitated the dog may eat it again at once, and this behaviour is so frequent as to be normal in some dogs, particularly when they bolt their food in competition with others or when persuaded to eat when they are not hungry.

It is normal for some bitches to regurgitate their own partially digested food for puppies to eat as they reach weaning age.

Persistent regurgitation in an older puppy or an adult dog may indicate some obstruction or malformation in the oesophagus and this condition warrants prompt veterinary advice.

Note how much of the food given is being regurgitated and the time in relation to feeding

3. Retching
The third type of vomiting is retching, an involuntary spasm of vomiting, possibly accompanied by a cough. There appears to be difficulty in swallowing food, which is then quickly brought back covered in saliva. The cause may be some obstruction in the mouth or throat, or retching may be associated with a cough or an acute sore throat. Veterinary advice should be sought at once if retching occurs frequently or is persistent.

In general, we classify vomiting in the broad categories of acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long term). This helps us narrow down the possible causes and guides further diagnostic tests. Many times, the cause of vomiting is obvious (e.g., the puppy who has swallowed a toy or an old cat with kidney disease). Occasionally, your veterinarian must play the role of detective to find the more obscure or hidden reasons for the vomiting. A minimum data base-consisting of white and red blood cell count, complete biochemical profile and urinalysis-are crucial pieces of information gathered on almost every vomiting animal to aid in the diagnosis process. Additional testing often includes x-rays of the abdomen, ultrasound of the abdomen, and additional blood tests.

If these tests do not yield a definitive diagnosis, more extensive work-up is required. Endoscopy, laparoscopy, and surgical exploration may be necessary to establish a diagnosis, and consultation with experts in a variety of specialties assists in guiding further diagnostic tests and establishing treatment protocols.

Other factors which may cause vomiting

Dietary intolerance

Infectious agents, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites

Drugs and certain toxins

Obstruction/blockage of the stomach or intestinal tract

Metabolic diseases such as liver and kidney disease, or hypoadrenocorticism

Abdominal disorders such as pancreatitis, abdominal tumors and adhesions, etc.

Motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that prevent the posterior movement of food

Inflammatory bowel diseases

Miscellaneous conditions such as gastric/duodenal ulcers, hiatal hernia, constipation, etc.

Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract

An occasional bout of vomiting is common in dogs, uncomplicated gastritis, where the dog is alert and has no fever, is best treated without drugs. Persistent, chronic vomiting is usually indicative of an underlying disease. Chronic vomiting often leads to decreased absorption of nutrients and subsequent weight loss. Diarrhea may also accompany the vomiting.

The following are complicating factors you should evaluate before attempting treatment of your pet at home:

Fever: 101-102 F is the normal rectal temperature in cats and dogs
Very young , very old, diabetic, or chronically debilitated animals; nursing or pregnant pets
Abdominal pain
Dehydration ( dry mouth and gums, poor skin tone)
Pale mucus membranes ( gums and surrounding eye tissues should be pink)
Difficulty exchanging air when breathing
Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea ( not just one or two bouts)
Suspected toxin ingestion like antifreeze, rat bait, medications, toxic plants etc.
Severe bleeding
A rapid decline in the pets attitude
Central nervous system signs like staggering, seizure, weakness

If vomiting continues more than 24 hours, or if any of the signs above are present veterinary attention is needed.

If these complications are not present, then try these simple techniques:

For Occasional Vomiting
Step 1
The digestive tract needs complete rest. Withhold all food for 12 – 24 hours, then gradually introduce a bland diet. Allow no water until your dog has gone at least six hours without vomiting. Then offer small amounts of water at a time. It is probably easier to use a syringe at this time to monitor how much is being kept down.

Step 2
Begin with very small amounts of water at frequent intervals. If there is more vomiting, go back to stage 1 for another six hours. Do not be discouraged. The stomach often needs complete rest for twenty four hours or more. Offer water every 15 minutes or so. Give a German Shepherd about two tablespoonfuls. Over a period of a few hours gradually increase the amounts offered until your dog's thirst is satisfied. If you wish, give clear liquids such as chicken broth. After at least 12 hours, when your dog's thirst has been satisfied, you may begin giving small amounts of food. If your animal isn't interested in eating they're telling you something, DON'T EAT YET IT'S TO SOON!

Bland diet for vomiting dogs
Mix one and a half cups of cooked white rice with one half cup of cooked chicken or turkey meat (no grease, no skin).

Step 3
Begin offering small amounts of bland, easy to digest food.

A large dog can have as much as a tablespoonful. Over a period of twenty four hours, gradually increase the amounts being fed until your dog's hunger is satisfied. Do not rush things. If vomiting occurs now, you must start over from the beginning.

Step 4
The following day, begin mixing the bland diet half and half with your dog's normal food. Instead of one or two big feedings, divide the normal amount into four or five small feedings.

If all this fails, and reoccurrences are evident, you now have a prolonged complicated condition and your pet needs to see the vet.
source:Doglopaedia AComplete Guide to Dog care J.M. Evans & Kay White

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Diarrhea
Although most causes of diarrhea are related to disease of the gastrointestinal tract, occasionally it is a manifestation of disease processes arising in organs such as the liver and pancreas. Diarrhoea is officially defined as an increase in the volume and/or fluidity of faeces or an increase in the frequency of defecation. Diarrhoea occurs due to changes in the cycle of fluid absorption and secretion across the intestinal wall between the bowel lining and the systemic system. Movement of fluid, nutrients and chemicals across the intestinal wall can be by osmosis (passive) and active with chemical pathways, vitamins, bacteria and energy all being involved. The system is complex and the break down of any one component may lead to diarrhoea. Diarrhea is caused by inflammation of the intestine (enteritis). It may happen at the same time as vomiting, (gastroenteritis) or by itself. As long as your dog is eating and alert, there is no cause for alarm. Unless there is vomiting, feed a small amount of light food divided into four or five small servings given at intervals throughout the day.

Bitches that eat large numbers of afterbirths when whelping may have diarrhoea temporarily. It is also worth noting that diarrhoea may be associated with stress, particularly in dogs with a nervous temperament. The bowel of the dog reacts quickly to shock, fear and stress, and diarrhoea and failure to gain weight in an otherwise healthy dog may be due to nervous causes.

Normal faeces contain the elements of food not used by the body, together with digestive juices, bacteria and the discarded cell of the gut lining.
A dog which is not eating at all will still produce a small amount of faeces from body waste. It is normal for an adult dog to pass faeces once or twice daily but four times daily can be regarded as normal. Puppies defecate 2-6 times daily.

The colour of faeces is affected by the type of food being consumed. The faeces will be pale when white meat is fed, dark if raw meat is given and often dark red when the dog has eaten commercially prepared food.

Digested blood from the throat, stomach or small intestine produces a black stool. There may be streaks of blood on the faeces, in conditions where the lower bowel is damaged. Where as much as a teaspoonful of fresh red blood is passed with faeces consult your veterinary surgeon.

When giving the history of the case it is important to distinguish between the types of loose stool. Is the dog passing:

1. a greater number of stools than normal, but of a normal colour and consistency?

2. a normal number of stools, but very loose or accompanied by quantities of fluid?

3. stools containing jelly-like mucus?

4. foul-smelling, pale, bulky, fat-laden stools?

5. very loose or watery stools, uncontrollably?

6. blood-stained stools: how much and what colour?

It can be helpful to take a small sample to the veterinary surgeon. Be prepared to tell the vet whether the dog strains to pass the stools or whether they are produced relatively easily.

The first step in the diagnostic work-up of diarrhea is to determine if the diarrhea is acute or sudden in onset, or is of longer duration (chronic). Chronic diarrhea is defined as loose stool that persists for greater than 1 month, or is intermittently seen for several months. The second step in determining the cause of the diarrhea is to decide if the stool has characteristics suggesting origin in the small intestine or large intestine. These first two steps then determine the remaining work up.

Small bowel diarrhea is characterized by large volumes of watery to semi-liquid stool with little or no discomfort or straining associated with the bowel movement. Occasionally the pet may have some urgency associated with the defecation. Weight loss may be present if the diarrhea has been persistent.

Large bowel diarrhea is characterized by straining and urgency to defecate. There is often fresh blood or mucous in the stool. Weight loss is rare with purely large bowel diarrhea unless food intake is decreased. Some pets have diseases of both the large and small intestine, resulting in combinations of symptoms.

A minimum data base-consisting of a complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and fecal examination-are obtained in almost every case of diarrhea. Occasionally, other tests, such as x-rays and ultrasounds, are performed. Fiber-optic endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract often is used in chronic cases, or in instances of foreign body ingestion. A surgical exploration is performed when there is an obstruction of the bowel, or if the problem is beyond non-surgical correction.

The following symptoms should be noted?

Frequency of diarrhoea? How many times per day?
How long has your dog had diarrhoea for?
Are there secondary symptoms such as vomiting, temperature rise, straining?
Does your dog appear bright, collapsed?
Is there blood or mucus in the diarrhoea?
What colour is the diarrhoea; brown, yellow, green?

Unfortunately only experience, common sense and professional knowledge can give you all the answers but the general rule is that if the diarrhoea is only occasional, of recent duration and if your dog is reasonably bright, then probably there is not too much to worry about .

If your dog is reasonably bright, not passing large amounts of blood and not exhibiting any other major symptoms, then home nursing may be all that is required.

Step1
Starve for 24 hours

Keep a close watch on the motion for 3 days to evaluate faeces and prevent scavenging.
Remove water and offer Lectade solution to prevent dehydration. In the first 24 hours this should be given at the rate of 8-30mls every half hour by mouth (depending on the size of the dog eg. 8mls for a small terrier 30mls for a German Shepherd). This can be continued as per the directions for a further 3 days. However, if dehydration is severe, especially if there is concurrent vomiting or the dog is collapsed, you should consult your veterinarian at once.

Step 2
Offer a bland diet in small quantities at regular intervals throughout the day.

Bland diet for dogs with occasional diarrhea:
Mix one and a half cups of cooked white rice with one half cup of cottage cheese. Remove the liquid from cottage cheese by squeezing it between several layers of paper towel.

Alternatively make up some scrambled egg and feed small amounts at a time

If symptoms persist consult your vet

Other Causes of Diarrhoea

Over feeding in young puppies
feeding liver and offal in large quantities
too much milk
lack of fibre in the diet may cause diarrhoea and constipation alternatively
raw eggs
sugar and honey
onions
currants,sultanas and raisins
nuts
carrots and broad beans
decaying or putrid food
scaveging
sudden dietary change

source:Doglopaedia AComplete Guide to Dog care J.M. Evans & Kay White

Gastroenteritis

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.