Gastroenteritis – Vomiting and Diarrhea

Definition

“Gastroenteritis” is another name for an inflamed stomach and
intestines which can result in vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Causes

The causes of gastroenteritis are multiple. These can include:
dietary indiscretion such as eating something from the garbage
or yard or something too rich or fatty or something irritating
such as bones. Bacteria, virus, parasites and protozoa also can
cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Diagnostics

Blood tests

A decrease in animal’s white blood count can indicate a viral
infection; an elevated white blood cell count can indicate a
bacterial infection. Elevated enzymes such as amylase and lipase
in a dog can indicate pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas, that
can accompany an inflamed stomach and intestines. Also, blood
tests measure electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, potassium
as well as blood sugar, all of which can be changed with
vomiting and/or diarrhea. Sometimes, vomiting and/or diarrhea
can occur secondary to organ dysfunction such as kidney or liver
failure. Blood tests help to diagnose these conditions.

Fecal tests

These can help rule out common parasites such as roundworms or
hookworms or protozoa such coccidia or giardia. Sometimes, other
tests are indicated to rule out less common causes of diarrhea
(such as campylobacter, cryptosporidium and salmonella).
Sometimes, testing for viruses in the feces such as parvovirus
is indicated.

Xrays

These are taken: to rule out obstruction from foreign bodies; to
evaluate the gas pattern and its distribution throughout the
intestinal tract; give suggestions of the presence of
pancreatitis; to evaluate the structure of other organs.

Ultrasound and Endoscopy

In cases with a history of protracted vomiting and/or diarrhea,
there is a concern for inflamatory bowel disease (IBD) or
gastro-intestinal cancer (i.e. lymphoma), so your veterinarian
may recommend these tests to help diagnose these conditions.

Treatment

Medications

While these may be directed at controlling the vomiting and/or
diarrhea, more specific treatment may be indicated by the test
results.

Hydration

While water is important, if a pet is vomiting, it may be
necessary to limit access to water. It is better to make water
available in small amounts at frequent intervals rather than
letting the pet drink a lot at one time since this is likely to
continue to stimulate the vomiting process. If mildly
dehydrated, your veterinarian may give a balanced electrolyte
solution under the skin (subcutaneously). If your pet is
moderately or severely dehydrated, it should be hospitalized to
receive fluids directly into the vein (intravenously).

Diet change

This diet change may be temporary while your pet is ill. Feeding
a bland diet, either home made or prescription, is often helpful
to calm down upset stomach and intestines. Your veterinarian may
even suggest to not to give your pet food for 1-2 days until the
vomiting and/or diarrhea subside.

Bland Diet Regimes

Home-made bland diets are not nutritionally complete and are not
meant to be fed long term to a pet. However, prescription diets
can be fed long term. It is best to feed small amounts
frequently rather than large amounts infrequently since this
facilitates digestion.

A bland diet for a dog means a home-made combination of chicken
(no fat or skin) or cottage cheese and cooked white rice, fed in
a 1:2 ratio; this can be flavored with meat based baby food or a
prescription bland diet such as Hill’s I/D

A bland diet for a cat means a home-made diet of boiled or
broiled chicken or turkey (no fat or skin) or a prescription
bland diet such as Hill’s I/D or Purina’s CNM-EN or a meat based
human baby food.

DAYS 1 to _____ : Feed small amounts of the home-made or
prescription food.

DAYS _____ to _____ : Feed small amount of home-made or
prescription food, mixed with pet’s regular food, increasing in
incremental amounts.

DAY _____ : Back to normal diet.

If vomiting and/or diarrhea persists, please recheck with your
veterinarian as additional testing and treatment may be needed.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin
any course of treatment without consulting your regular
veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every
12 months.