Diarrhea Flashcards
Give a definition of diarrhea
Diarrhea is best defined as an increase in the fluid content of the feces, which is clearly reflected in the consistency of the feces
- in mild cases, feces become soft or semi-formed
- in more severe cases, feces become increasingly liquid and even watery in consistency
What are the different mechanisms leading to diarrhea
Osmotic diarrhea
- excessive water-soluble molecules in the intestinal lumen result in osmotic retention of water (e.g., sudden dietary change, malabsorption)
- diarrhea occurs when the fluid volume overwhelms the absorptive capacity of the small intestine and colon
Secretory diarrhea
- stimulation of small intestinal secretion results in diarrhea when the absorptive capacities of the small intestine and colon are exceeded
- secretory diarrhea occurs when toxins are released by enteric infectious agents (e.g., Giardia species, E. coli)
Permeability (exudative) diarrhea
- intestinal inflammation can stimulate increased secretion of fluid and electrolytes, and impair absorption
Dysmotility
- in most cases, diarrhea is the result of reduced intestinal motility
- ileus and abnormal dilation of the intestine promote diarrhea as stasis allows bacterial fermentation
What would be your main differentials for acute diarrhea
Dietary problem
- dietary related problems are the most common cause of acute diarrhea (dietary indiscretion, intolearnce, food poisoning or hypersensitivity)
Infectious disease
- most commonly encountered in young and immunocompromised animals, or those housed in large numbers or unhygienic conditions
Neoplasia
- due to a secondary bacterial overgrowth or malabsorption
Intussusception
- ileocolic forms are the most common
- occur most frequently in young animals and are often associated with concurrent enteritis
Toxin ingestion
Drugs
- NSAIDs are a common cause of drug-induced diarrhea due to their inhibitory effects on gasttrointesttinal protective prostaglandins
In general, what are the foods most often implicated in dietary hypersensitivity in the cat
Fish proteins
Dairy proteins
