Diarrhea and vomiting

Diarrhea and vomiting are among the most common ailments of dogs and cats. Luckily most of these stomach upsets are temporary malfunctions of the digestive system which heal on their own in a few days.

 Diarrhea means looser than normal or even liquid faeces, which usually means that the water content of the faeces has increased beyond normal. Reasons for the increased water content include a diminished uptake of water from the intestine, increased water secretion to the intestines and increased intestinal motility.

Acute onset of diarrhea and vomiting is usually a symptom of inflammation in the gastro-intestinal tract. Improper or spoiled foodstuffs and numerous bacterial, viral and parasitic infections are among the most common inflammatory agents. Diarrhea and vomiting may also be the main symptoms in a number of diseases outside the gastro-intestinal tract.

Inflammations of the intestine are divided into inflammations of the small and the large intestines. Inflammation of the small intestines involves large quantities of faeces and often vomiting, but usually no abnormally strained defecation (tenesmus). Inflammation of the large intestines usually involves frequent, strained defecation (usually the dog or cat can only pass very small amounts of faeces) and the faecal mass often includes bright blood or slimy mucous.

Of the two, inflammation of the small intestines is the more dangerous form because it involves a larger loss of water and electrolytes. This brings a risk of dehydration, especially young and small cats and dogs can get severely dehydrated very rapidly.

Treatment at home

To treat acute diarrhea and vomiting in an adult cat or dog it is usually recommended to fast the sick animal for 12-24 hours (but young puppies or kittens should never be fasted). Constant availability of fresh water must be ensured during the fasting: a dog needs about 60 ml/kg of water per day, and a cat requires about 40 ml/kg/day. In a severe diarrhea the fluid requirements increase because the animal loses a lot of water with the faeces. To counter the loss of electrolytes Aptus Nutrisal-powder (available at pharmacies) can be added to the drinking water.

The next day after the fasting some easily digestible and fat-free food should be offered many times a day in small amounts. A good starter-food is boiled rice. After some time the food can be supplemented with a bit of cottage cheese or boiled beef or chicken. Normal diet can then be gradually resumed.

Some nutritional supplements available at pharmacies, such as Canikur or Aptus Attapectic, should be given to a diarrhetic dog or cat, and they can be given already during the fasting.

When should you see a veterinarian?

An adult dog or a cat with stomach upset without any generalised symptoms can well be treated at home.

See a veterinarian if:

• the animal has a fever,
• it is severely tired or depressed,
• there is blood in the vomit or in the faeces,
• the faeces are pitch-black in color or
  
• the vomiting is so severe that the animal can not even keep water down.

 

• Referral/Question/Feedback
• Scientific publications
• Neurology for vets
• Important links