The 2nd Most Common Reasons Dogs and Cats got to the Vet..
From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed
Website: drjonesnaturalpet.com
Re: The 2nd Most Common Reasons Dogs and Cats got to the Vet..
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Good morning Veterinary Secrets Readers.
The Second MOST common reason pets see the Vet is
due to Stomach problems..Vomiting and Diarrhea.
Once again most often these are problems which can
safely and effectively be treated at home.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is not a disease but a symptom of many different diseases.
Many mild cases of diarrhea can be resolved quickly with simple
treatments. Others are the result of fatal illnesses such as cancer.
Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become fatal if treatment
is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.
How serious is diarrhea in dogs?
We attempt to determine how sick the dog has become as a consequence
of the diarrhea. When the dog is systemically ill (when more than one
body system is involved), some of the following may be noted:
(a)??Vomiting
(b)??Dehydration
(c)??Loss of appetite
(d)??Abdominal pain
(e)??Fever
(f)??Lethargy
(g)??Bloody and/or watery diarrhea
If your dog does not appear systemically ill from diarrhea, the cause may
be less serious. Some of the minor causes of diarrhea include stomach or
intestinal viruses, intestinal parasites, and dietary indiscretions
(such as a change in diet or eating garbage or other offensive or
irritating materials). A minimum number of tests are performed to
rule out certain parasites and infections.
These cases may be treated with drugs to control the motility of the
intestinal tract, drugs that relieve inflammation in the intestinal tract,
and, often, a special diet for a few days. This approach allows the body’s
healing mechanisms to correct the problem. If your pet is not improving
within two to four days, a change in medication or further tests are done
to better understand the problem. Please keep us informed of your pet’s
condition so that we may manage the situation properly.
There are a LARGE NUMBER of effective home remedies for Diarrhea in my ebook
and course. You can find the solutions by going here..
drjonesnaturalpet.com/veterinary-secrets-revealed-second-edition-e-book.html
Vomiting
Vomiting describes the expulsion of food from the stomach.
It may be related to disorders of the stomach but is a clinical
sign that can occur with many diseases and problems. It is not a
specific disease or diagnosis itself. Cats vomit quite readily and
occasional vomiting in an otherwise healthy cat may not indicate
anything abnormal. This is particularly true if the vomited material
consists largely of hair. It is a normal process for cats to retain
hair and vomit hairballs periodically.
How serious is vomiting?
Most cases of acute vomiting (i.e. the vomiting has been present for less
than 2-3 days) resolve readily with simple treatment without the underlying
cause being diagnosed. Severe or chronic vomiting is more serious. It can
lead to secondary problems, particularly dehydration and disturbances in
the levels of electrolytes, especially sodium. It is important to
investigate such cases to identify the underlying cause to provide
effective treatment.
Recognizing vomiting:
Vomiting may begin with a stage of nausea, the cat appears restless,
and possibly apprehensive. The cat may lick its lips, salivate and
repeatedly swallow. Vomiting itself involves contractions of the abdominal
muscles, which may be repeated, leading to return of fluid, froth or food.
The severe effort associated with vomiting may be distressing to the cat.
It is important to differentiate this from the abdominal contractions
associated with coughing. Cats may cough up some froth which they subsequently
swallow creating more confusion with vomiting. Cats usually crouch down on
all four legs when coughing with the neck stretched out.
It is also helpful to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation, which is
usually associated with problems affecting the esophagus or gullet.
Features which help to differentiate vomiting from regurgitation include: –
-??whether return of food involves abdominal contractions and effort
-??whether the returned food is in the shape of a sausage
-??whether the returned food is re-eaten
-??the relation to feeding
Acute vomiting
Acute vomiting is vomiting that has been present for no more than 2-3 days.
Most cases will respond quickly to simple treatment. The cause of such cases
is often never established and may be due to relatively trivial factors such
as eating spoiled food etc. In a minority of acute cases of vomiting, usually
because the vomiting is severe leading to complications such as dehydration
or because a more serious underlying cause is suspected, further tests,
specific treatment and more supportive care will be required. Features that
you may be able to identify that will help the veterinarian decide whether
simple treatment or further investigations are appropriate would be:
-??if the cat appears otherwise well or ill – depressed, lethargic or
has any other specific signs
-??if the cat is eating
-??if there has been weight loss
-??if there has been any blood in the vomit (a few specks of fresh blood
may not be abnormal but more copious or persistent bleeding is significant)
-??any pain or distress, particularly affecting the abdomen
-??whether normal feces are being passed
-??the frequency of vomiting
-??the relationship of vomiting to feeding – particularly if there is a
long delay
-??any offensive odor to the vomitus
-??what the cat has been fed
-??any recent change of diet
-??any possible access to other foods or other substances
-??any treatment given recently
-??whether other cats in the household are affected
Symptomatic treatment for vomiting
Symptomatic treatment is usually tried initially in mild cases of vomiting.
It may involve a number of measures:
1.??Withholding of food for 6-8 hours or as directed by your veterinarian.
2.??Provision of an easily digested, bland diet.
-??A simple, easily digestible diet will normally be offered in small
quantities. A diet based on boiled chicken or sometimes fish with rice is
often used. It is important that the cat does not receive any other foods
during this period. Water should be freely available and is important to
combat dehydration. If the cat is progressing well, the quantity of food
offered can be gradually increased back to normal over several days and
then the cat’s normal diet reintroduced gradually over several days.
3.??Remedies – certain medications are available to control vomiting and
your veterinarian may advise the use of these.
In My Course, I give you specific remedies for vomiting at:
drjonesnaturalpet.com/veterinary-secrets-revealed-second-edition-e-book.html
Further investigation of vomiting
If the vomiting is severe or the veterinarian suspects a serious underlying
problem, other treatment and diagnostic tests may be required. It may be
necessary to hospitalize your cat so that intravenous fluids can be given to
combat dehydration as well as correcting any imbalances in the levels of
electrolytes. It will also be possible to administer drugs by injection as
required to control the vomiting. In some less severe cases you may be
asked to administer fluids and special solutions at home. You may be
given a syringe to help you do this. You must be patient, giving only
small quantities at frequent intervals. If your cat becomes unduly
distressed, contact your veterinarian for instructions.
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P.S. If you are wanting some natural home remedies that you can
use at home to treat your dog’s ear infection check out my course
or membership site at:
drjonesnaturalpet.com/veterinary-secrets-revealed-second-edition-e-book.html
www.theonlinevet.com
I will be holding a SPECIAL Membership site Webinar in 2 weeks,
BUT you need to be a member to be on this LIVE video presentation.
It’s Your Pet. Heal Them At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
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