Vomiting & Diarrhea
Margaret Fisher B.Sc., D.V.M.

Vomiting and diarrhea are among some of the most common reasons why pets are brought to their veterinarian. Some cases will resolve on their own without medical intervention while others may require extensive diagnostic tests and intensive treatment. The following is a list of some of the possible causes of vomiting and/or diarrhea:

• Diet (poor quality food, recent diet change, eating garbage)
• Infection: virus (parvo, distemper, corona) or bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella)
• Parasites (giardia, tapeworms, roundworms)
• Ingestion of a foreign object
• Toxin ingestion
• Inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease)
• Medications (antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatories)
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Endocrine/hormonal disease (diabetes, overactive thyroid, underactive adrenal glands)
• Stomach or intestinal torsion/twisting
• Cancer
• Other

Whether or not your pet needs to see a veterinarian for vomiting/diarrhea depends on the severity of the illness. Clinical signs which may indicate a more serious condition are:
reduced food and water intake, lethargy, abdominal pain, blood in diarrhea or vomit, fever, dehydration, depression or inability to settle. When any of these signs occur, it is best to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.

The veterinarian will give your pet a full physical exam, including measuring the heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and blood pressure. The veterinarian will also be able to assess the level of hydration, localize any pain, look for any foreign material in the mouth, and palpate for a mass in the abdomen.

If the pet appears normal on physical exam, then a period of fasting is often recommended, followed by the gradual introduction of a bland diet. A bland diet includes boiled chicken, cooked lean ground beef, low fat cottage cheese, boiled rice, potatoes or pasta. These foods are low in fat and easy to digest. It is recommended to feed a bland diet until diarrhea resolves and then gradually change back to the original diet.

If there are any abnormalities detected on the physical exam, further diagnostic tests such as bloodwork, urinalysis, fecal exam or abdominal X-rays may be recommended. Bloodwork can detect dehydration, anemia, infection, liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatic disease and electrolyte imbalances. A urinalysis can detect bacteria, blood, sugar, or crystals in the urine and helps evaluate kidney function. A fecal exam may reveal parasites such as intestinal worms or an overgrowth of bacteria. X-rays of the abdomen can often identify any foreign objects, intestinal obstructions or masses.

Depending on the severity of the illness and the results of the diagnostic tests, the veterinarian will determine whether an animal is stable enough to go home or needs to be admitted to hospital. If you are unsure about whether or not your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian, please call your family veterinarian or the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic Ltd at (604) 734-5104. A veterinarian and animal health technician are on duty 24 hours a day to offer advice and provide medical services.