|
Diarrhea in the dog and cat can be divided into three
categories: Small intestinal diarrhea, Large intestinal
diarrhea, or a combination of both.
The small intestines exit the stomach, and are quite
long as they loop their way down to the large intestine
or colon. Anything which can disrupt the normal digestion
and absorption of nutrients, or cause inflammation of
the intestinal tract, can result in diarrhea.
With small intestinal
diarrhea, usually the frequency of having a bowel
movement is normal, yet the characteristic of the stool
is soft to watery, with either normal amounts of stool
or an increase in amount of stool produced. Patients
affected often time have no trouble "holding"
themselves until appropriate to eliminate.
Large intestinal
diarrhea is often
characterized by an increase in frequency to defecate,
smaller than normal amounts of stool are produced, and
often times, the stool is soft or watery, with associated
mucous (gel) and/or red blood. Patients affected
usually cannot "hold" themselves until appropriate
to eliminate, and have accidents where inappropriate
to do so.
Let's take a look at each one of these categories associated
causes, affects on the patients, and possible treatments.
Small Intestinal Diarrhea -
Potential causes in both the dog and cat include
- internal
parasites (worms),
- ingesting inappropriate substances (garbage eating,
feeding from table, hunting and ingestion of wildlife),
- abrupt change of diet without appropriate introductory
period,
- inflammation of the small intestines from patient's
own immune system (potentially a result of dietary
allergy),
- bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine,
- inflammation of the pancreas and/or lack of production
of enzymes from the pancreas,
- disease of the fat absorption system (lymph system),
- metabolic diseases (liver, kidney, or disease in
another organ system not associated directly with
the intestinal tract), or
- cancer of the intestines.
With disease strictly involving the small intestinal
tract, some effects that may be seen in long standing
cases can include weight loss despite a good appetite,
lack of appetite, and potential vomiting.
Diagnosing the patient with small intestinal diarrhea
usually starts with an examination of the stool itself.
Microscopic stool specimens are examined for intestinal
parasites. The color of the stool can also be
helpful in examination. Dark, black, tarry stool,
indicates digestion of blood, and a possible blood loss
in the small intestines.
Blood testing can also be of help in determining blood
loss, or specific disease involving the pancreas or
other organ systems, as well as bacterial overgrowth
in the small intestine.
Passing an endoscope (long tube which allows
the operator to see the inside of the intestinal tract
and obtain a sample of tissue for analysis (biopsy),
is sometimes necessary in long standing cases where
response to treatment is poor.
Early treatment of small intestinal diarrhea involves
treating for parasites if detected (in long standing
cases this treatment should be done regardless of parasite
detection). Early withholding of food, bland diets,
and anti-diarrhea medications can be utilized, along
with more specific treatments for specific conditions
(such as antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth etc.).
Large Intestinal Diarrhea
- Potential causes are similar to that of small intestinal
diarrhea. Parasites, inappropriate digestion of
food (eating unfamiliar food substances), inflammation
from immune system, bacterial overgrowth, and cancer
seem to be most common causes.
Anything which can result in inflammation of the large
intestines or colon (colitis), can result in
large intestinal diarrhea.
Diagnosis includes examining the stool for parasites,
blood testing for specific diseases, and using an endoscope
(tube to examine the insides of the intestines and obtain
a sample of tissue for analysis (biopsy).
Stress diarrhea also can occur in our
pets, and usually occurs in the large intestine.
Owners that leave their pets for periods of time, moving,
adding new pets to the household, etc. can all be causes
of stress to our pets. Being aware of this can
be helpful in preventing occurrences in the future.
Treatment is similar as in small intestinal diarrhea.
With-holding food, bland diets, anti-diarrhea medications,
and specific medications for inflammation of the large
intestine (colon).
|
