Diarrhea and vomiting are 2 of the most frequently met symptoms in pets. These symptoms combined can indicate a variety of diseases or just a mild indigestion. When the pet displays such symptoms you will have to pay attention and find out the underlying cause and visit the vet if needed. Meanwhile, you need to make sure your pet is not dehydrated, as these symptoms can cause severe dehydration that can cause complications in kittens, puppies or senior pets.
Vomiting and Diarrhea Causes
Vomiting and diarrhea are visible symptoms that cannot pass unnoticed. You should find out what are the possible causes for these symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal infections with causative agents such as viruses or bacteria, which disrupt the normal balance of the stomach and intestinal lining resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. The infections may be caused by different ingested items or may also be the side effects of certain medications (i.e. antibiotics)
- Food intolerance or allergies can cause gastrointestinal distress and the food will be either vomited or eliminated through diarrhea
- Intestinal worms that can cause gastric or intestinal uneasiness
- Poisoning, due to food, drugs or other toxic materials that may have been ingested by the pet
- Switching to a different diet may also cause gastric and intestinal distress, as the pet’s body is not used to the new food
- Stomach or intestinal cancer, which can interfere with the normal metabolization of foods
- Pancreas issues (i.e. pancreatitis)
- Liver disease
Diagnose Vomiting and Diarrhea Symptoms
If you notice diarrhea and vomiting in your pet you will need to watch for other symptoms as well. It is important to observe the consistency of the vomiting, its color and if there are worms, blood or other indicators that can help the diagnosis.
You may suspect a few diseases that affect your pet.
Take your pet to the vet if the symptoms persist or if there is blood in vomit or diarrhea.
The vet will perform a few blood, urine and feces tests to establish the cause of diarrhea and vomiting.
Additional tests may be necessary.
Treatment for Diarrhea and Vomiting
Diarrhea and vomiting can be treated if the underlying condition is identified.
If you have made a sudden change in the pet’s diet, the vet will recommend a gradual switch to prevent vomiting and diarrhea.
If the condition is not severe, the vet will recommend a few diet changes or even a day of fasting and liquid therapy to prevent dehydration.
Tablets will be prescribed for pets with intestinal parasites.
A pet with poisoning can also be saved, by giving him activated charcoal and removing the toxic ingredients.
Food intolerances can only be managed by removing the foods from the pet’s diet and providing a hypoallergenic diet.
Stomach or intestinal tract tumors will require surgery or chemotherapy. Herbal medications may also be used.