|
Diarrhoea in dogs and cats
As well as being potentially unpleasant for the pet owner, diarrhoea can be associated with a number
of potentially serious underlying conditions.
What is diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is officially defined as an increase in the volume and/or fluidity of faeces or an increase in the frequency of
defecation.
What can cause diarrhoea?
Essentially, diarrhoea occurs when the large or small intestine is not working properly. This can be because digestion or
absorption of food is failing, because the intestine is producing more fluid than normal, or failing to absorb fluid, or because
there is abnormal movement of the bowels.
In most disease states, more than one mechanism contributes to the diarrhoea. Many diseases cause diarrhoea; infections such
as Salmonella, foreign bodies, other internal diseases (e.g. kidney failure), failure of digestive enzyme production (e.g.
pancreatic insufficiency), dietary intolerances and ‘inflammatory bowel diseases’.
What is ‘acute’ diarrhoea?
Often signs of diarrhoea that are recent in onset (acute) and not associated with other clinical signs are treated symptomatically
and attributed to causes such as ‘dietary indiscretion’. Treatment often involves supportive care such as fluid
therapy, often a short period of food withdrawal and a subsequent period of feeding a ‘light’ diet. When more
severe signs are apparent or simple treatment fails to resolve the problem, further investigations may be indicated.
What is ‘chronic’ diarrhoea?
When diarrhoea persists for a period (typically more than three or four weeks) it is termed ‘chronic’ and this
is a common point at which further investigations are considered.
How do you investigate patients with diarrhoea?
A wide variety of investigations are used to diagnose the cause of diarrhoea and to determine the best therapy. Initial blood
tests are used to rule out underlying diseases. Specific blood tests can help screen for intestinal disease and rule in or
rule out pancreatic insufficiency. Faecal examinations are used to test for infections and can be helpful in diagnosing maldigestion.
Diagnostic imaging (e.g. radiography, ultrasonography)
can be used to examine for abnormal bowel position, blockages and thickening of the bowel wall.
Further investigation often requires some form of tissue sampling procedure. Preferably this is achieved by the use of an
endoscope to view inside the bowel. Once the intestine has been accessed, biopsy forceps can be passed down the endoscope
to allow pinch biopsies to be taken. Sometimes surgical exploration is necessary, either to allow sampling of otherwise inaccessible
sites or to perform procedures such as foreign body removal.
What treatments are available?
Dietary management often forms a major part of the diagnosis and treatment of cases referred to Davies Veterinary Specialists
(see factsheet: Feeding an exclusion diet). Other than surgical treatments for problems such as obstructions, a number of
medical treatments may also be used. These include antibiotics for specific infections and ‘antibiotic responsive enteropathy’,
anti-parasitic treatments, anti-inflammatory drugs (most commonly corticosteroids) and immunosuppressive treatments.
Will my pet get better?
The likely outcome depends upon a number of factors. Most important is the underlying disease; certain diseases are considered
very difficult to treat and carry a poor prognosis. More optimistically, many of the cases we see achieve significant improvements;
sometimes a cure is achieved, other times signs are controlled effectively as long as treatment (diet and/or drugs) are maintained.
If you have any further questions about diarrhoea you should speak to your veterinary surgeon who will be able to discuss
this with you more fully.
If you are concerned about the health of your pet you should contact your veterinary surgeon.
|
