Small Animal Diarrhoea Flashcards
Define diarrhoea..
Increased frequency, volume or fluidity of faeces
Define melaena..
Dark, tarry faeces due to digested blood
Define flatulence
Excessive gas
Define dyschezia
Difficult/painful defecation
Define haematochezia
Fresh blood in stool
Define tenesmus
Ineffectual straining
How does the workup differ for acute and chronic diarrhoea?
Acute - symptomatic treatment
Chronic - investigate underlying cause
What are the characteristics of LI diarrhoea?
Lots of mucous
Very frequent
Tenesmus
What are the characteristics of SI diarrhoea?
Large volume
Weight loss
What can cause acute SI diarrhoea with no other systemic signs?
Diet
Helminths
Giardia
Iatrogenic
What can cause SI diarrhoea with systemic signs?
Bacteria - salmonella, campylobacter Viruses - ditemper, parvo, panleukopenia Toxins Haemorrhagic GE Acute pancreatitis
How are viral and bacterial causes of acute SI diarrhoea diagnosed?
B - faecal culture
V - faecal antigen test
What can cause acute LI diarrhoea?
Whipworms
Clostridia
Giardia
Campylobacter
What metabolic issues can cause chronic SI diarrhoea?
Hepatic issues, PSS
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoadrenocorticism
Renal insufficiency
What pancreatic issues can cause chronic SI diarrhoea?
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Chronic pancreatitis
What intestinal issues can cause chronic SI diarrhoea?
Giardia Chronic partial obstruction Lymphagiectasia Neoplasia Food-responsive diease IBD
What intestinal issues can cause chronic LI diarrhoea?
IBD Polyps Food-responsive disease Neoplasia Chronic partial obstruction Tritrichomonas foetus
How is chronic diarrhoea investigated?
Faecal culture, flotation CBC, biochem, UA Serum tests US Elimination diet Endoscopy
What are the most common causes of chronic SI diarrhoea in the dog?
Food-responsive disease
AB-responsive diarrhoea
IBD
Neoplasia
What breed is AB-responsive diarrhoea most common in?
GSD
How is AB-responsive diarrhoea treated?
Metronidazole
How is IBD in dogs treated?
Elimination diet
Prednisolone
Cyclosporine
How is IBD treated in cats?
Elimination diet
Prednisolone
Chlorambucil
Cobalamin (Vit B12)
What diseases cause protein-losing enteropathy?
IBD
Lymphangiectasia
Neoplasia
