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Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestinal problems take many forms in dogs and cats. Below are some guidelines.

• Vomiting and Diarrhea:
  Vomiting and diarrhea, especially when prolonged should not be taken lightly. These conditions can lead to dehydration which impacts on heart, kidney, liver and brain function in addition to impairing circulation to other body organs. Puppies, kittens and small pets are especially vulnerable because they do not have a large volume of body fluids and can least afford to lose it. Animals which become dehydrated become weak and their immune systems are compromised. Signs of dehydration include reduced skin turgidity and sunken eyes. However, these signs may not become evident until dehydration exceeds 5%. Animals with persistent vomiting or diarrhea need medical attention.
  
• Canine Bloat:
  The term bloat describes a condition in dogs called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Bloat, which is usually seen in large breed dogs, is characterized by a rapid accumulation of air/gas in the stomach and is more frequently seen a few hours after eating or drinking large amounts of water. The stomach may rotate along its axis (twisting). This prevents the air and food in the stomach from being evacuated by vomiting. Bloated dogs usually have an obvious bulging around their midsection and try to vomit, but are unsuccessful. Saliva and froth may be expelled which has accumulated in the esophagus, but this is not from the stomach. The buildup of pressure in the stomach from the expanding air/gas can cause a serious decrease in blood flow to the stomach wall and major organs, especially the heart. If unattended, bloat can lead to shock and death in a few hours.

  Immediate veterinary care must be sought if you think your dog is bloating. Surgical intervention is usually necessary to evacuate the air/gas and food in the stomach and to relieve the pressure on the circulatory system. The twisted stomach must be untwisted and is usually sutured to the abdominal wall to reduce the chance of another bloating episode. Occasionally the passage of a stomach tube alone may relieve bloating if the distention is not accompanied by stomach twisting, however recurrence is more common after this procedure. Bloating patients need intensive care with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, at times stabilizing heart medications and cardiac monitoring. Remember bloating is a life-threatening condition which needs prompt veterinary attention.

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