Digestive System Disorders

Constipation (the infrequent and difficult evacuation of feces) and obstipation (intractable constipation) have several causes. The initial use of symptomatic therapy is often successful, but it is preferable to look for causes, because some problems that are initially treatable may become irreversible if symptomatic therapy masks the signs for too long.

A search of the history for iatrogenic, dietary, environmental, or behavioral causes should be done. Feces should be examined to determine whether they contain plastic, bones, hair, popcorn, or other such material. Physical and rectal examinations are done to search for rectal obstruction or infiltration. Plain pelvic, radiographs can help show whether the animal has anatomic abnormalities or a previously undetected colonic obstruction (e.g., prostatomegaly, enlarged sublumbar lymph node.) Ultrasonography is the preferred technique when looking for infiltrates. Serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis may reveal causes of colonic inertia.

Colonoscopy is indicated if one suspects an obstruction too orad to be detected by digital examination. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of infiltrative colonic lesions sometimes yields diagnostic findings, but colonoscopy (especially rigid) allows a more reliable biopsy specimen to be obtained. If a thorough diagnostic work-up fails to identify a cause in a patient with a grossly dilated colon, then idiopathic megacolon may be present.

Canine and Feline constipation diagnostic plan:

History
Physical examination
Rectal palpation
Abdominal palpation
Abdominal X-rays

Canine and Feline constipation treatment:

Fluid therapy
Laxatives
Enemas
Manual removal of impacted stool
Surgery
Treat primary cause

Canine and Feline constipation dietary plan:

A moderate-to-high fiber diet
Ensure adequate water intake

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Causes of dog and cat diarrhea.

Diarrhea refers to feces containing excessive water. Fecal mucus is principally caused by large bowel disorders. The best approach to the assessment of dogs and cats with diarrhea is to first distinguish acute from chronic problems.

Acute diarrhea is usually caused by diet, parasites, or infectious diseases. Dietary problems are often detected by history; parasites by history and fecal examinations; and infectious diseases by history (evidence of contagion or exposure) and the exclusion of other causes. If acute diarrhea in dogs and cats becomes severe or persistent, additional diagnostic tests are recommended. The approach used is similar to that adopted for the assessment of animals with chronic diarrhea.

Dogs and cats with chronic diarrhea should first be examined for evidence of parasites; multiple fecal examinations looking for nematodes, Giardia, and Tritrichomonas are indicated. Next it should be determined whether the diarrhea is small or large intestinal in origin. Failure to lose weight almost always indicates the presence of large bowl disease; weight loss usually indicates the presence of small bowl disease (pythiosis, histoplasmosis, malignancy). Animals with weight loss resulting from large bowl disease usually have obvious signs of colonic involvement (fecal mucus, marked tenesmus, hematochezia).

Causes of acute diarrhea in dogs and cats:

DIET:
Intolerance/Allergy
Poor-quality food
Rapid dietary change (especially in puppies and kittens)
Bacterial food poisoning

PARASITES:
Helminths
Protozoa
Giardia
Tritrichomonas
Coccidia

INFECTIOUS CAUSES:
Viral causes:
Parvovirus (Feline, Canine)
Coronavirus (Feline, Canine)
Feline leukemia virus

Bacterial causes:
Salmonella
Clostridium perfringens
Verotoxin-producing E. coli
Campylobacter jejuni
Yersinia enterocolitica
Salmon poisoning
Various other bacteria

OTHER CAUSES:
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
Intussusception
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ingestion of toxins
Garbage can intoxication (spoiled foods)
Chemicals
Heavy metals
Various drugs (antibiotics, antineoplastics, anthelmintics, anti-inflammatories, digitalis, lactulose)
Acute pancreatitis

We also recommend this natural balanced real-meat dog food and natural dietary supplement for recovery.

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Regurgitation is the expulsion of material (i.e., food, water, saliva) from the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus. It must be differentiated from vomiting (the expulsion of material from the stomach and/or intestines) and expectoration (the expulsion of material from the respiratory tract). Historical and physical examination findings sometimes allow these three to be differentiated. Expectoration is generally associated with coughing at the time of the event. Animals that regurgitate and occasionally those that vomit may cough as a result of aspiration, but oral expulsion is not consistently related with coughing.

Some animals that appear to be regurgitating are vomiting and vice versa. If one cannot distinguish between the two on the basis of the history and physical examination findings, one may use a urine dipstick to determine the pH and whether there is bilirubin in freshly ”vomited” material. If the pH is less that 5, the material has originated from the stomach and probably resulted from vomiting. If the pH is more than 7 and there is no evidence of bilirubin, this is consistent with regurgitation. The presence of bilirubin indicates the material has originated from the duodenum (i.e., vomiting). A positive finding of blood in the urine dipstick test is not useful.

If vomiting and regurgitation still cannot be distinguished, plain and/or contrast-enhanced radiographs will usually detect any existing esophageal dysfunction. However, some esophageal disorders (e.g., hiatal hernia, partial stricture) are easily missed unless a careful radiographic technique is used.

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Unless the dog was seen eating some irritative substance, acute gastritis in dogs and cats is usually a diagnosis of exclusion based on history and physical examination findings. Abdominal radiographs and/or clinical pathologic data are indicated if the animal is severely ill or if other disease is suspected. Once alimentary foreign body, obstruction, parvoviral enteritis, uremia, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoadrenocorticorticism, hepatic disease, hypercalcemia and pancreatitis are considered unlikely, acute gastritis in dogs and cats is a reasonable tentative diagnosis. If the vomiting resolves after 1 or 2 days of symptomatic and supportive therapy, the tentative diagnosis is considered correct, although pancreatitis must still be considered. Gastroscopy in such animals might reveal bile or gastric erosions/hyperemia.

Because acute gastritis is a diagnosis of exclusion and its signs are suggestive of various other disorders (e.g., foreign bodies, intoxication), good history taking and physical examination are mandatory. The owner should monitor the pet, and if the animal’s condition worsens or if it does not improve within 1 to 3 days, imaging, a complete blood count, a serum biochemistry profile and urinalysis are indicated.

We also recommend this natural balanced real-meat dog food and natural dietary supplement for recovery.
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Dogs are more commonly affected by acute gastritis because of their less discriminating eating habits. Signs usually consist of acute onset of vomiting; food and bile are typically vomited, although small amounts of blood may be present. Affected animals are typically uninterested in food and may or may not feel sick. Fever and abdominal pain are uncommon.

Acute gastritis therapy in dogs principally consists of parental fluid therapy; withholding food and water for 24 hours often suffices to control vomiting. If the vomiting persists or is excessive, or if the animal becomes depressed because of the vomiting, central-acting antiemetics (e.g., prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, ondansetron) may be administered parenterally.

When feeding begins, small amounts of cool water are offered frequently. If the animal drinks without vomiting, small amounts of a bland diet are offered. Antibiotics and corticosteroids are rarely indicated.

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