The Tribune

By DR BASIL SANDS

Undoubtedly there has never been a full day in most veterinary practices when they have not had one or more telephone calls regarding vomiting and or diarrhoea in a cat or dog. Most dogs and cats are not very discriminating as to what they might eat, and many pet owners feed their animals with tidbits and leftovers that are unacceptable to the canine and feline digestive tracts. So it is easily understood why these problems are so frequent in number.

Vomiting is the forcible expulsion of the stomach’s contents up the animal’s throat and out of the mouth. Dogs tend to vomit more readily than almost all other animals. Diarrhoea is the frequent passage of soft or fluid stools. Diarrhoea is not a disease, it is sign of illness, and it is typical of a variety of health conditions. Any change of bowel habits that continues for more than twenty four hours should be addressed by the veterinarian.

In addition to some of the causes mention earlier, the very serious infectious disease such as the dreaded Parvo and Corono virus infection in dogs and the Distemper virus in cats produce acute vomiting and diarrhoea. Intestinal parasites also can be very irritating to the intestines, as can be various foreign non food substances such as needles and thread, whistles, pieces of bones, plastic, fruit pits, flowers, weeds and a host of others. And of course there are organic dysfunctions and/or infections such as pancreatitis, prostatitis, intussusception, [telescoping of one section of bowel over another], and tumours of one or more of the digestive system organs.

Considering the number of causes mentioned, and there are many more, and considering the fact that often we really do not know what our pets have eaten.

Surely you can realize how difficult it is to arrive at an instant diagnosis and cure. It is also extremely important to obtain from our clients in each case a full and accurate history of the problem. You should be observing such symptoms as how long and how frequent has he been vomiting and is there blood in the vomitus? Does he/she also have diarrhoea and has he had it often? Is he up and about and playful or is he lethargic, weak and feverish?

In many instances we may simply suggest Pepto-Bismol, ice cubes, a bland diet and close observation. Our old standby Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate are still good home care remedies and should be in your home medicine cabinets at all times.

Since there is such a variety of causes and conditions involving vomiting and diarrhoea, as veterinarians we too must have a variety of approaches to these problems. Many times we can handle them by instructions and suggestions via the telephone and others simply as an office visit dispensing medication for treatment at home.

However, there are some cases that are much more serious and require more sophisticated diagnostic and treatment regiments such as barium x- rays, laboratory blood profiles, cultures, hospitalization and intravenous fluids

Having read this article, surely you can understand the wide spectrum of causes and effects of diarrhoea and vomiting in your pets. Consequently, we urge you to seek early help when this type of problem occurs. We are as near as your telephone. Call us and let us help you decide how to treat the situation. Your pets will love you for it.