| Gastroenteritis
Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea
by: Dr. Bari Spielman | | |  | | | | Section: Overview Acute vomiting and diarrhea are characterized by a sudden onset and short duration of less than two to three weeks. Acute vomiting, a reflex act that results in the forceful ejection of gastric (stomach) and/or duodenal (intestinal) contents through the mouth, and diarrhea, an increase in fecal water content with an accompanying increase in the frequency, fluidity, or volume of bowel movements, are both extremely common in the dog.
An occasional bout of vomiting and diarrhea is quite common in dogs however, severe, acute vomiting and diarrhea is not normal, and can be associated with life threatening illnesses. It can cause extreme fluid loss, acid-base imbalance, and electrolyte disturbance.
What To Watch For
A continuation or worsening of signs (greater than several days)
Dehydration
Depression
Listlessness
The presence of blood in the stool or vomit.
General Causes
Dietary indiscretion �?eating inappropriate food/material
Dietary intolerance
Infectious agents �?bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic
Drugs and toxins
Obstruction/blockage �?intussusception, which is telescoping of the bowel into itself; masses/tumors; foreign bodies
Metabolic disorders �?kidney and liver disease, diabetes mellitus, hypoadrenocorticism
Abdominal disorders �?pancreatitis, peritonitis, pyometra, prostatitis, sepsis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Miscellaneous �?gastroduodenal ulcers, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, stress, gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma (cancer)
Veterinary Care
Diagnostic Tests
Many cases of acute vomiting and diarrhea are short lived, resolve easily and do not require an extensive diagnostic evaluation. Diagnostics should be performed on those pets that are having severe vomiting and diarrhea, are exhibiting other systemic signs of illness, or when the vomitus or stool contains blood. These tests may include:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Abdominal radiographs (X-rays)
Multiple fecal examinations
Treatment
There are several things your veterinarian might recommend to treat your pet symptomatically. The principal goals of symptomatic therapy are to restore and maintain fluid and electrolyte imbalances and to completely rest the gastrointestinal tract.
Fluid and electrolyte therapy
Drugs that coat and sooth the GI tract
Drugs that symptomatically stop vomiting and diarrhea
Nothing orally for several hours, with a gradual introduction of water followed by a bland diet
Home Care
Call your veterinarian, and follow all recommendations regarding feeding and medication. This will probably include withholding all food and water. Observe your pet very closely. If clinical signs are not improving over a day or two, and/or your pet is getting worse, have your pet evaluated at once. | |
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