Running Loose
 

Becky E. Marks, DVM
 

Timberland Animal Clinic
 

Diarrhea. It is not a pretty sight or smell. With pets it is a difficult

symptom to hide. You either step in it or have to clean it up. What

causes diarrhea?
 

Technically, diarrhea is from either altered fluid secretion into

or altered reabsorption of fluid or increased water retention in the

feces. Phew that's a mouth full. This can be caused by allergic reactions,

infections or immune disorders. Let us examine a few.
 

With pets we often have internal parasites spread through feces of

other animals. Parasites need food, water and lodging which is provided

by the host. For example the hookworm hooks himself to the lining

of the intestines. This is his new home. The irritation of hooking

causes inflammation and bleeding. Altered reabsorption occurs.
 

Perhaps you have given your pet a few fatty scraps from the table.

This is a rich snack that can cause irritation of small intestines

and pancreas. Excess fluid from the digestive organs is produced.

Now several things can happen: overzealous production of digestive

juices, loss of electrolytes such as salt and potassium and failure

to absorb the fats. Altered fluid secretion occurs.
 

A kitten has swallowed a string like foreign body. It is not digestible.

The object does not pass naturally through the intestines and gets

caught. The kitten may instinctively drink lots of fluids to help

push the object through but the fluid cannot be absorbed and the object

has injured the intestines. The kitten may be straining to have a

bowel movement without any success. What a mess! This is increased

fluid retention.
 

These are examples which may cause diarrhea. We diagnose the problems

by visually looking at the sample, microscopically examining the sample

and testing for infections. If the results are negative then a radiograph

(X-ray), ultrasound or direct exams of the colon may be the next procedure

for diagnosis. Sometimes we are really surprised what can be found

in the gut; for example package bows, mats of people hair or the netting

off a baked ham. Now that is recycling!
 

Treatment does not always involve surgery. It depends on the problem.

Often a combination of oral medications will alleviate the diarrhea

and allow the body to heal. Then a plan is recommended to prevent

a recurrence. For example, don't feed your pets table scraps.
 

At any rate, diarrhea is not normal. And it is not fun for anyone.

The longer the problem is left unchecked the more difficult it may

be to cure. EC
 

Becky E. Marks is co-owner of Timberland Animal Clinic located at

17641 SE Stark. She can be reached at 255-9766.