Diarrhoea is a common complaint dealt with at Hollybank veterinary centre and it can come in all shapes and sizes-literally! The faeces can range from ‘looser than normal’ to very watery and many of the cases we see contain fresh blood and mucous too. Sometimes we may also get the complaint of straining to defecate; more often than not the animal is not constipated, they just have the sensation that they need to defecate. (This straining is usually responsible for the fresh blood seen.)

Although diarroea can present on its own, it is often seen with other gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and a reduced or absent appetite. This information coupled with a thorough history and physical examination help us to decide what we think is the most likely underlying reason.

Diarrhoea is classified into two broad categories:

1. Primary gastrointestinal disease (GIT); something directly affecting the GIT.
   1. Dietary indiscretion/scavenging
   2. Dietary sensitivity/intolerance
   3. Parasite burden
   4. Viral/Bacterial/Fungal infections
   5. Inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease
   6. foreign bodies or obstructive conditions such as cancerous masses.
2. Secondary GIT; something elsewhere in the body having an effect on the GIT.
   1. This can include disorders with the pancreas
   2. Liver disease
   3. Kidney disease
   4. Toxicities
   5. Endocrine diseases

What next?

This is dependent on what we think the underlying reason for your dogs diarrhoea is. If we are concerned of underlying diseases (secondary GIT) then blood tests are indicated to rule in or out some of these concerns. We will then often do symptomatic treatment until we have more information, at which point we will adjust our treatment plan according to our findings.

If we are concerned about a primary gastrointestinal disease then our management is based on what we think is highest up our list. For example, if we feel infectious or dietary reasons are most likely we will often start with symptomatic treatment whereas if we are suspicious about the presence of a foreign body then imaging the gastrointestinal tract is required. This involves a combination of ultrasound and x-rays.

Symptomatic treatment involves a sensitive and palatable diet, probiotics and for cases of vomiting and poor appetite we will elect to give an anti-sickness injection too. This, time and TLC is often all that is needed.  In some cases however, the fluid losses and poor intake of food and water can lead to dehydration and  we need to extend our symptomatic treatment to intravenous fluid therapy and monitoring in the hospital. This is also why it is important for us to re-examine your pet if they have failed to improve with initial management.

To give antibiotics or not?

In veterinary medicine it is really important to practice safe and responsible antibiotics use. Generally, diarrhoea does NOT require antibiotic courses and there is scientific evidence to support this. A large proportion of cases will resolve with the management mentioned above and only in a few cases do we even consider their use.