SA Diarrhoea Flashcards
How is chronic diarrhoea defined?
lasting > 3weeks
If acute diarrhoea is present, what should next be defined? What is the usual treatment of acute diarrhoea? How does this differ from chronic?
- with/without systemic signs?
- SI/LI/Mixed?
- Usually can be treated symptomatically +/- fasting for dogs if without systemic signs
> chronic must be investigated/worked up
Define diarrhoea
^ freq/volume/fluidity
Define meleana. What is this indicative of?
Black tarry stools indicates digested blood -> upper GI bleeding (stomach or SI)
Define flatulence
Excessive gas
Define dyschezia
Difficult/painful defeacation
Define heamatochezia. What is this indicative of?
Fresh blood in the stool indicative of lower GI (colon) bleeding
Define tenesmus
Ineffectual but urgent straining
Does intermittent diarrhoea over a period > 3 weeks still count as chronic?
YES
How can SI/LI be differentiated?
> history [SI v. LI]
- volume +++ … +
- mucus - … +++
- frequency + … +++
- tenesmus - … +++
- dychezia - … +
- weight loss ++ … +
- vomiting + … +
- general condition + … -
How are SI and LI diarrhoea subsequently refined?
- SI could be 1* or 2*
- LI is almost certainly 1* colon
What are the DDx for acute SI diarrhoea with NO systemic involvement? How may these be treated/ruled out?
- dietary (fast dogs [not cats], try elimination or hyposensitive diet)
- helminths (worm)
- protozoa (giardia)
- Iatrogenic (drug induced - many drugs can cuase this!)
What are the clinical signs that would suggest systemic involvement with acute SI diarrhoea?
Depressed/flat CV affected (^HR) Dehydration ^ temperature > indicates infection
What are the DDx for acute SI diarrhoea with systemic signs?
- Bacterial infection (salmonella, campylobacter)
- Viral ([dogs] distemper, parvo [cats] panleukopenia)
- Toxins
- Heamorrhagic gastroenteritis (dogs only)
- Acute pancreatitis
How are bacterial GI infections diagnosed?
Feacal culture
How common are bacterial causes of diarrhoea?
Rare
How are viral GI infections diagnosed?
Feacal Ag test
How do dogs with haemorrhagic gastroeneteritis present? What is the Tx?
^PCV, dehydrated
- Fluid therapy fixes most cases!
Give 4 DDx for acute LI diarrhoea. How may these be diagnosed?
- Whipworms
- Clostridia
- Giardia
- Campylobacter
> faecal examination and culture