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Diarrhea
What to Expect When You go To The Vet If Your Pet has Diarrhea
(Of Course,
your vet may do things a little differently)
Introduction:
If you're old
enough to be reading this, I'm sure you know that diarrhea (loose or
watery stools) is not a disease in itself, but simply a very obvious
symptom that something is not quite right with the intestinal system.
We're so used to having a short bout of diarrhea ourselves, that most
people don't get too alarmed when they notice their pet has diarrhea,
and rightly so; most of the time the problem is minor and self
correcting. But sometimes, it's obvious that the problem is more
serious, either because the diarrhea has become persistent over the last
few days, or the pet is weak and listless, or there are additional
problems such as vomiting, or blood in the stool. In cases like this,
it's time to have a veterinarian examine the patient.
Here's what to
expect:
First, note
that it's helpful if you are able and willing to bring in a recent
sample of the diarrhea. Also, if you've recently used a household
cleaner, fertilizer, pesticide, or rodenticide that your pet may have
gotten into, your vet will need to know what the active ingredients are;
consider bringing in the container so we can see.
We vets see so
many diarrhea cases that we quickly gain the experience that often
allows us to narrow down the many possible causes within minutes with
just a few questions and a good exam.
On the other hand, other cases of diarrhea take a good deal of detective
and laboratory work to figure out.
Diarrhea cases
range from very minor to deadly, and from easily cured to terminal. The
diseases associated with diarrhea and the resulting dehydration are
easily the largest cause of death in humans and other mammals on this
planet. So once it's obvious that the diarrhea isn't just a 1 or 2 day
affair associated with eating something inappropriate, we take things
seriously.
What follows
is how we process a typical diarrhea case and some comments to let you
know what we're thinking and why we do various tests and so forth.
History and
Signalment: Signalment might be a new word for you. It
simply means, in veterinary medicine, the basics of what we're talking
about: Species, Breed, Sex, Age, and situation. For example: 1 year
old, intact male, lab mix dog who roams the neighborhood. That
signalment will lead us to suspect problems very different than if the
signalment were 8 year old, female spayed, indoor cat.
The history is
even more critical than in other diseases in helping us narrow down the
likely causes. We need to know if your pet ate anything unusual, was
boarded or traveled recently, if there were any big stressful events,
and we need an honest report of the pet's diet. We also need an accurate
vaccination history since so many of our diarrhea deaths are associated
with pets that weren't protected with a high quality vaccine program.
A Good
Examination:
Your vet will go over your pet from head to toe, getting an assessment
of general health, hydration status, circulation problems, GI pain and
distress, as well as pick up any secondary problems that might be
important.
Frequently,
with just the history and exam, your vet may be able to guess correctly
that the problem is not too serious and send you home with inexpensive
medicines that are likely to solve your pet's problem and discomfort in
short order.
But if,
because of the history, signalment, or exam, little alarm bells are
going off, your vet will recommend a few tests, possible
hospitalization, and in some cases aggressive treatment such as IV
Fluids etc. I'll describe the different tests your vet may recommend in
just a minute, but first, let me give you a list that summarizes the
different categories of diarrhea based on cause...it's how most of us
vets were taught to narrow down a medical case:
Possible Causes
of Diarrhea in General Terms:
1. Viral:
Our most common cause of deadly diarrhea in puppies, with
parvo and distemper virus' being the biggest culprits. I can't
emphasize too much how important it is to have your young puppies
vaccinated with high quality vaccines. While viral diarrhea is most
common in poorly vaccinated puppies, it's also an occasional problem in
kittens, cats, and dogs too. Also keep in mind that vaccination
programs only protect your pet from the most common viral diseases and
the most common strains of the virus; vaccines greatly reduce the chance
of succumbing to viral diseases...but not by 100% by any means. And not
all brands of vaccines are created equal. It's important to use the
newer and better vaccines. Your vet will be using these. Your mail
order company may not.
For more about vaccine quality go to our page on vaccine
recommendations. Just for the record, Feline leukemia, Aids, and
Infectious Peritonitis are cat viral diseases that are sometimes
associated with diarrhea. The lab tests and treatment options we have
for the different types of diarrhea are discussed a little further on.
2. Bacterial:
Pets frequently take in large amounts of bacteria into
their mouth, what with licking everything, eating rancid garbage or
"road kill", drinking out of puddles, and grooming with their tongue.
But if your pet is in otherwise good health, free of parasites, on a
good diet, and hasn't recently undergone an event stressful to the
immune system such as pregnancy or surgery, it's unlikely that much of
this bacteria will be able to get past the acidic stomach, the immune
system defenses, or the competitive "good" bacteria of the gut in
numbers large enough to cause much trouble for long.
You've probably have heard of the bacterias' e-coli, clostridium, and
salmonella and the occasional high profile deaths they cause when people
get food poisoning at restaurants, church picnics, and the like. Well,
every once in a while, pets also get food poisoning that becomes more
serious than usual. In addition to food sources, pets can get bacterial
infections of the bowels from infected gums, from any diseases or
problems that inflame the bowels, and possibly due to long term or
inappropriate antibiotic therapy.
Bacterial
infections of the gut are sometimes a problem in addition
to some other primary problem. For example, bacterial infections are a
common problem in dogs whose intestinal tracts are all irritated from
parasites or viruses. As always, your vet won't assume your pet has a
single problem. Like most things in life; "Trouble Likes Company".
3. Parasites:
Worldwide, diarrhea due to parasites is a major problem. But in those
countries where people love and care for their pets, and can afford to
take advantage of veterinary services, severe problems aren't as common
anymore. But even with all our new and approved parasite control
products, and even if your pet has been taking them, we occasionally get
an outbreak of diarrhea due to intestinal worms, protozoa, amoebas, and
other parasites. Like bacteria, microscopic parasites are all around us
in our environment waiting to take advantage of any pet whose immune
system is weakened.
And
the little buggers keep mutating and getting resistant!
As an aside;
we highly recommend that you follow your vet's recommendations for a
parasite control program. Our newest products are safe, flavored, more
effective than ever before, and much less expensive than the cost of
treating the diseases they prevent.
Another aside; you don't think we do so many fecal sample tests because
we like it do you? Parasites continue to be a big problem despite what
I just said praising our newer parasite control products.
4. Garbagitis:
This non-medical term is a used to describe all the possible,
inappropriate things that pets sometimes eat, including garbage. Table
scraps that were too rich or spicy, dead animals, sticks, leaves, dirt,
underwear, socks, toys, balls, and frequently; plastic wrap. If your
vet suspects that your pet is suffering from GI (gastro-intestinal)
irritation due to something like the items mentioned above, he or she
may very well give a mineral oil based laxative in hopes of evacuating
the bowel. This sometimes confuses people since laxatives make diarrhea
worse, temporarily, and are usually used for constipation, not diarrhea.
Another case of "Doctor Knows Best". Also note, if a foreign body is
suspected, your vet will probably recommend radiographs and/or
ultra-sound.
5. Metabolic or
Organ Disease: The various systems in the body are very
much inter-related, and diarrhea is often the most obvious symptom of
other diseases such as liver disease, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and
hormone imbalances. We become especially suspicious of such diseases in
middle age and older pets. In many situations, your vet will recommend
blood work to rule out such diseases.
6. Diet
Related: A large number of diarrhea cases are solved by
switching to special diets that are easy to digest. Or are
non-allergenic to your pet.
Or
more consistent or of higher quality. Once your vet rules out other
causes of frequent or chronic diarrhea, he or she may very well
recommend a feeding trial of a special diet. It's important to
understand, here, that just switching from one brand to the next is
unlikely to work...most brands of pet foods contain similar ingredients,
any one of which might be causing the problem in your pet.
7. Hair:
I've listed hair all by itself since it's so often the problem in both
diarrhea and constipation...especially in cats. Many cats and dogs shed
excessively and therefore lick and swallow too much hair to digest
easily which means the hair ferments in the lower bowel (instead of
being digested in the upper bowel) (cheap pet food ingredients cause a
similar problem). This fermentation process in the lower bowel (similar
to humans eating beans) causes irritation to the colon which in turn
causes diarrhea.
Anyhow, sometimes the real solution involves reducing the shedding by
treating the underlying skin problems, whether it be allergies, poor
diet, parasites, inadequate grooming, or deficiencies in fatty acids.
And you may find it intersting that every once in a while cats and dogs
groom excessively due to anxiety...like people who chew their nails.
Maybe a case for Prozac!
8.
I'm running out of steam. So number 8 is everything else:
Such as
Cancer, Lymphoma, the secondary affects of chronic diseases, Chronic
Bowel Disease, Stress and Anxiety, Fungal, Pancreatic Insufficiency,
side effects of certain medications, and probably a few things I've
forgotten.
Okay, back on
track...What to expect at the vet:
Once the
history is established and an initial exam is completed, your vet may
have good reason to recommend some tests. Here's a short description:
Lab Tests and
Imaging Techniques Your Vet May Recommend:
I'll make some
appropriate comments about each of the following soon...
Fecal test for
blood, mucus, and parasites
CBC & Chemistry
Thyroid Testing
HelioBacter Test
Culture and Sensitivity
Radiographs
Ultra-sound
Possible
Treatments for Less Severe Cases:
NPO: Nothing
by mouth or fasting for 12-24 hours. This allow the GI tract to "settle
down" Witholding of food and water is a more common treatment for
vomiting than diarrhea, actually, but sometimes it helps with diarrhea
too. I usually opt for feeding small amounts of easily digested food
(chicken and rice) given in small amounts at a time.
Anti-diarrheals
such as kaopectate, pepto-bismol, or amodium-D: These
over the counter products are appropriate for treating at home for minor
cases of diarrhea when your pet seems otherwise bright and alert and
normal. If they aren't working after 1-2 days, then you should assume
you're missing something and ought to make an appointment with your vet.
These
medicines are much more likely to work if you use 2-3 times more than
the approved dose, but that brings up a legal problem in the rare event
that your pet overdoses.
An aside;
This business of using medicines or doses that aren't officially
approved by the FDA for a particular species is a common problem for
veterinarians. There are a lot of medicines that we have learned from
experience and from our mentors over the years that are usually safe and
effective, but have never gone through the expensive process of being
approved by the FDA for pets. Kaopectate and Pepto are good examples of
old medicines that we know work better if you give more than the label
directions, and that such doses are safe UNLESS the patient is
dehydrated sickly, weak, obstructed, or sensitive. In other words, we
need to examine the pet before we can legally or professionally feel
comfortable about giving specific medical advice over the phone..even
for simple medications like kao-pectate!
Donnagel or Bella
Donna Alkaloids: Usually more effective than over the
counter medicines. Your vet will prescribe them if needed. In
addition, there are quite a few other anti-diarrheal meds your vet may
recommend, including herbals, homeopathic, and familiar products like
kaopectate etc.
Lomotil,
Loperimide, or opium derivatives: more expensive,
usually more effective, and usually reserved for more troublesome cases
of diarrhea. Definitely given under the supervision of your vet.
Actually
treating the problem if a specific diagnosis is made such as treating
for any parasites found, liver disease, kidney disease etc. Always
remember that diarrhea is often just a symptom of some hard to detect
disorder, disease, or organ failure
Diet changes
are often the solution, especially for pets with fairly frequent
diarrhea problems
Metronidazole is
a broad spectrum, inexpensive, and safe antimicrobial used
to treat the amoebic parasite Giardia . Maybe more important, this
medicine seems to help correct any imbalance in the normal gut flora.
Flare ups of "over-riding" bacteria, protozoa, and amoebas are often
associated with diarrhea either as the cause or as a result, so your vet
may want to prescribe this medication to your pet.
Supportive Care:
Perhaps the most common treatment and most important in serious cases of
diarrhea is what we call supportive care. This means keeping the
patient well hydrated, well nourished, warm and comfortable, as well as
minimizing symptoms such as fever, nausea, chills, and the diarrhea
itself. IV Fluids are the backbone of supportive care in serious cases.
Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are often used in severe diarrhea cases even
when we don't suspect bacteria as being the cause of the diarrhea!
Why? For several possible reasons: To prevent bacterial infections of
the gut at a time when we suspect the GI tract to be inflammed and
vunerable. To prevent respiratory, liver, and other organ system
infections at a time when we suspect the immune system to be weakened.
And to prevent bacterimia. Bacterimia is a big deal and refers to
bacterial infection of the blood. It can occur with diarrhea because if
the gut wall is inflammed and damaged, then the bacteria that is inside
the gut can get across the gut wall into the blood stream. Once inside
the blood, the bacteria will float around the body looking for a place
to thrive, which of course, can cause a lot of problems: liver disease,
joint disease, heart valve disease, pneumonia, and on and on.
I
hope the above has been helpful. As with all my pages, I'll try to
review, edit, and improve this new page soon. Feel free, especially if
you're a veterinarian, to make comments, additions etc by eMail:
FoxNest@metacrawler.com
However, I've
stopped trying to respond to the many eMails I get asking me things like
how do I treat such and such (ie my goat with diarrhea) or asking for
second opinions about what their vet did etc. For legal reasons and
because it takes a lot of time...not to mention a careful exam...I can't
offer specific medical advice over the phone or the internet other than
the very helpful, but general, information I've already have given you
on this site.
What follows are some additional
articles that should be helpful.
Provided as a
courtesy by the people at Hill's Prescription Diets
Colitis
Colitis is an
inflammation of the large bowel (colon). This inflammation
may be acute (sudden onset of brief duration) or chronic (long-term),
disrupting your pet's normal bowel habits.
Acute colitis
occurs most commonly in dogs and frequently responds to
one to three weeks of therapy. Chronic colitis can go on for several
years or perhaps a lifetime.
Signs of Colitis
Some dogs and
cats may have minor clinical signs; others have severe and sometimes
disabling or fatal signs. Dietary therapy and certain medications can
help control the inflammation and most signs, but they generally do not
provide a cure.
The
inflammation in chronic colitis leads to excess water in your pet's
stool. This is manifested as diarrhea; you most likely will see the
frequent passage of small quantities of mucus and/or blood-streaked
stools. The diarrhea may be intermittent or continuous.
Abdominal
pain, depression, fever, weight loss, and a dull coat may also be
present.
Causes of Colitis
Many things
can cause colitis, as can be seen from the following list. In many
cases, the exact cause of colitis may never be determined.
Acute1.
Whipworms
2. Spastic
colitis
3. Bacterial
colitis
4. Fungal
colitis
5. Food-induced
Chronic
1. Whipworms
2. Eosinophilic
colitis
3. Ulcerative
colitis
4. Histoplasma
5. Prototheca
6. Polyps
7. Tumors
8. Allergies
(including food allergies)
9. Foreign
body
10. Spastic
colitis
11. Histocytic
ulcerative colitis
12. Plasmacytic
lymphocytic colitis
13. Immunoproliferation
enteritis
Diagnosis of
Colitis
If
your veterinarian suspects that you pet has colitis he or she may
perform some, most, or all of these diagnostic tests: abdominal
palpation, rectal exam, white and red blood cell counts, blood chemistry
profile, urinalysis, multiple fecal examinations, bacteriologic cultures
of feces, x-rays of the digestive tract (possibly with barium),
colonoscopy (examination of the colon through a small, lighted tube
inserted though the anus), biopsy of the colon, and exploratory surgery
of the abdomen.
To evaluate how your pet is responding to therapy, your veterinarian
will periodically repeat some of these lab tests.
Management of
Chronic Colitis
Remember, few cases of colitis can be cured. The goal of therapy for
chronic colitis, therefore, is to enable your pet to maintain as normal
a lifestyle as possible. Diet and drugs can generally suppress the
inflammation in your pet's colon and help prevent recurrences.
Diet
Many cases of chronic colitis respond to one of two dietary approaches:
1) Increasing the amount of fiber in the animal's diet or 2) Feeding a
diet that is not likely to stimulate an allergic reaction
(hypoallergenic diet). There is no way to predict which approach might
be better for your pet.
Based on experience treating colitis, your veterinarian will recommend
one approach or the other. Follow the directions explicitly - feed no
other foods or treats. If your pet is taking any other medicine, tell
your veterinarian about it so that interactions between the diet and
medicine can be controlled.
A trial with a therapeutic diet usually takes three to six weeks before
your veterinarian will be able to accurately assess the results of the
trial. Be patient, and remember, diarrheas in some pets may actually
worsen for a few days while the pet's digestive tract is becoming
accustomed to the new diet.
Your
veterinarian will recommend the best diet for you to follow for your
pet...... follow it!
Importance of
Fiber
Fiber is a
carbohydrate in our diet that cannot be digested by enzymes. There are
two kinds of fiber: one is soluble in water; the other is not. Insoluble
fibers provide bulk to the diet and help food and water move through the
digestive tract.
It is well
established that fiber-rich diets can be used to manage constipation in
pets because fiber increases water retention in the intestines which
softens the stool. The increased bulk also increases the propulsive
movements of the intestine, helping to alleviate the constipation.
Amazingly
enough, fiber also can be used to treat some diarrheas. In diarrheic
animals fiber normalizes intestinal transit time, which increases water
absorption form the colon. Therefore, there is less water lost in the
stool. That's why high-fiber diets have a place in the treatment of
colitis.
Drugs
Many drugs used to control chronic colitis have side effects and may
even be dangerous - your veterinarian will prescribe them with caution.
Drug therapy involves five categories of medications:
1. Drugs that
relieve diarrhea
2. 5-aminosalicylic
acid
3. Steroids
for relief of inflammation
4. Drugs that
suppress the immune system
5. Antibiotics
Constipation and Diarrhea
Signs of
Constipation
A constipated dog or cat exhibits infrequent or difficult evacuation of
the feces or stool. The feces is usually hard and dry which increases
straining and reduces stool volume.
Causes of
Constipation
Many things
may cause constipation, but the most common are dietary and
environmental factors.
Dietary:
Fiber in the diet is important for normal defecation in dogs and cats,
just as it is for humans. Insufficient dietary fiber can cause
constipation.
Substances such as hair, bones or foreign materials ingested by a cat or
dog can form hard masses or concretions when mixed with feces and cannot
be eliminated, resulting in constipation.
Water is essential to proper gastrointestinal function; therefore, if an
animal is deprived of water, it will become constipated.
Environmental
factors:
Changes which affect an animal's daily routine such as a hospital stay
or lack of exercise can also result in constipation.
There may be many other causes of constipation such as those listed
below:
· Aging ,Fractures of
the pelvis or pelvic limbs .
Lesions
around the rectum
· Prostate
Disease
· Spinal Cord
or Disc Disease
· Large Bowel
Nervous Disorders
· Tumors
· Metabolic or
Endocrine Disorders
· Debiliation
· Dehydration
Treatment of
Constipation
To treat your
pet for constipation, the underlying cause must first be determined.
Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet and
will ask you about your pet's medical history, its diet and its daily
routine. Blood tests, x-rays or other tests may also be necessary and
will be explained to you prior to testing.
If it is determined that the underlying cause is due to disease or
trauma, medical treatment may be necessary to correct the problem.
Home Care
Management for Constipation
Diets rich in
fiber can be used to aid in the management of constipation in pets as in
humans. The fiber increases water retention in the intestines which
softens the stool. The increased bulk also increases the propulsive
movements of the intestine, helping to alleviate the constipation.
1. Twice
daily, feed your pet a diet containing at least 10 percent fiber to
stimulate bowel movement (your veterinarian will advise you on a
specific diet).
2. Do not give
your pet bones or snacks and restrict access to foreign materials.
Long-haired animals should be brushed daily. This will help remove
excess hair that the animal might otherwise ingest.
3. Thirty to
60 minutes after eating, exercise the dog to encourage defecation.
4. Provide
free access to fresh water.
Managing your pet's care at home is an important part of its treatment.
It is essential you follow your veterinarian's instructions. If you have
any questions about your pet's medical care, please do not hesitate to
ask. Your questions are welcomed by the hospital staff.
Signs of Diarrhea
Diarrhea in a
dog or cat is characterized by abnormally frequent, watery stools.
Clinical signs associated with diarrhea include frequency of evacuation
of loose feces which results in an increase in the volume of feces
passed. The diarrheal feces contains not only increased amounts of water
and electrolytes, but may also contain mucus, blood, fat or undigested
food.
Diarrhea can
originate from the small intestine or the large intestine (colitis) and
is further subclassified as acute (sudden onset of brief duration) or
chronic (long-term). (See Colitis for a discussion of that condition.)
Acute Diarrhea -
Small Intestine
Acute diarrhea originating in the small intestine usually lasts less
that 48 hours. The feces seldom contains mucus, but it is not uncommon
to find blood in the feces. The animal usually loses its appetite or is
anorexic. The feces is brown or reddish-brown in color. The animal
exhibits a sense of urgency to defecate as well as an increased
frequency and may continue straining after defecation.
Chronic Diarrhea
- Small Intestine
Chronic diarrhea originating in the small intestine lasts 7-10 days or
longer. The animal passes a large volume of watery feces and has bowel
movements two or three times as often as its normal frequency. The feces
is brown in color unless there is blood in the stool in which case it
will have a black, tarry appearance. Little or no mucus is present in
the feces (as opposed to Colitis which may have much mucus in the
diarrhea).
Causes of
Diarrhea
The
causes of diarrhea vary widely, but include bacteria, viruses, internal
parasites and stress-induced factors. Diarrhea may also be caused by
toxic substances which the animal ingests or by food allergies. A change
in pet food, eating table scraps or rich snacks, or scavenging spoiled
food from garbage may result in diarrhea as well. Organ dysfunction,
especially the liver and pancreas, can cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea caused by internal parasites may be a continuous, chronic
problem or be intermittent with a normal stool being passed between
abnormal stools. Some parasites causing diarrhea in dogs and cats are
transferable to humans. Therefore, it is important to identify the
parasitic causes.
It is important to note that young animals may be more severely affected
by diarrhea than mature animals. Puppies should be carefully observed
because their condition could quickly become life-threatening.
However, it is important to differentiate between non-specific diarrhea
and diarrhea caused by a more serious health problem.
To treat your pet for diarrhea, your veterinarian must first diagnose
the underlying cause.
Treatment of
Diarrhea
Initially,
your veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet and
will ask you question about its health history and its diet and daily
routine. Often the diagnosis can be made from the health history and
physical exam and a treatment can be prescribed.
It may be necessary to withhold all food from your pet for one or two
days. The more severe the intestinal disturbance, the longer the period
the food must be withheld.
Continue to
give your pet water during the fasting period.
If your pet is severely dehydrated, intravenous (IV) fluids may be
necessary before any diagnostic studies are begun.
Your veterinarian may ask you to collect a fecal sample for microscopic
examination to help diagnose the cause of the diarrhea. You will be
given a plastic bag or container and instructed on how to obtain a fresh
stool sample. Numerous fecal exams or rechecks may be necessary to
detect internal parasites which can show up intermittently in the feces.
In some cases of chronic diarrhea, a biopsy is necessary. This procedure
involves obtaining a very small section of tissue from the intestine for
microscopic study. This can be done through a small incision in the
abdomen and involves only a few stitches to close.
Home Care
Management for Diarrhea
1. After your
pet has fasted the prescribed number of days as determined by your
veterinarian, gradually return it to full feed
2. Feed small
amounts frequently (3 to 6 times daily)
3. Feed a
highly digestible diet containing one percent or less fiber in the dry
matter. (This is very different than the recommendation for Colitis in
which a diet high in fiber is often indicated.)
The diet for small intestinal diarrhea should provide a moderate amount
of highly-digestible protein from cottage cheese, chicken and egg, and
not more than 15 percent fat. Carbohydrates should be easily digestible
such as those from rice or dextrose.
Avoid diets with the following ingredients: wheat middlings, bran, and
other cereal by-products; lactose (milk sugar) and foods containing more
than 10 percent sucrose (table sugar). Do not give your pet bones,
snacks or table scraps which may irritate the intestinal tract.
Watch your pet at
home - checking for recurrent bouts of diarrhea, blood or
mucus in the feces, foreign material in the feces, and frequency of
defecation. If any of these signs recur or if your pet becomes weak or
loses its appetite, please call your veterinarian.
Managing your pet's care at home is an important part of its treatment.
It is essential that you follow your veterinarian's instructions. If you
have any questions about your pet's medical care, please do not hesitate
to ask your veterinary staff.
Salmonellosis
(One of the main causes of Food Poisoning)
Salmonellosis is an intestinal tract disease that comes from exposure to
large amounts of the bacteria ...usually on contaminated food. Since
salmonella is passed in affected animals, humans, and fowl through the
feces, what's going on here is a combination of fecal contamination of
the food along with enough time (the warmer the faster) for the bacteria
colony to multiply. This is why we are so careful to keep meats
refrigerated, why we hope that restaurant workers wash their hands
frequently, and why we don't share cutting boards and utensils between
precooked food and cooked food. Pets that eat garbage or road kill are
very likely to be exposed. Whether or not they become clinically
infected and diseased will depend on their natural immunity, general
health, and probably luck.
Signs of
salmonellosis
include vomiting, diarrhea with or without blood, fever, and
dehydration. Severe infection with Salmonella can be fatal. The disease
is most common in young, stressed, weak, or old animals. Some animals
can carry and spread the disease without having signs of illness
themselves.
Salmonellosis is a public health concern, because these bacteria can
also infect people. Strict hygiene should be practiced when infected
animals are handled. This includes carefully disposing of fecal
material, cleaning litter boxes and utensils, and frequently washing
hands. Children should not handle infected pets.
In order to diagnose salmonellosis for certain, we need to culture the
feces. Since we need to start treatment before waiting for the results
(cultures take at least 4 days to grow out), we often skip this step.
Depends on the situation.
Treatment
Infected animals are generally hospitaized and given IV Fluids,
antibiotics, anti-diarrheals, and supportive care til better.
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