Acute diarrhoea

9 Acute diarrhoea


Acute diarrhoea is a frequently encountered clinical sign in emergency medicine. The majority of causes of acute diarrhoea relate primarily to the intestinal tract although small intestinal diarrhoea in particular may be associated with extraintestinal causes. There are a large number of causes of acute diarrhoea and some of the most important with respect to emergency cases are listed in Boxes 9.1 and 9.2. Clearly some of these conditions may also cause, or even be more frequently associated with, chronic diarrhoea.




Features used to distinguish small and large intestinal diarrhoea are listed in Box 9.3 but a definitive patient assessment should be made cautiously on the basis of the type of diarrhoea alone and both types may occur in the same patient (e.g. with diffuse inflammatory bowel disease). Animals with haemorrhagic watery diarrhoea are likely to be suffering from small intestinal disease (especially canine haemorrhagic gastroenteritis or parvovirus) but short transit time prevents the formation of melaena (i.e. as there is insufficient time for bacteria to break down haemoglobin).



Possible iatrogenic causes of diarrhoea as a side effect of drug therapy must also be considered.



In the author’s opinion it is reasonable to recommend withholding food for a short period (e.g. 12–24 hours) with continued monitoring at home if the animal remains relatively bright, is tolerant of water, and especially where there is a suspicion of dietary indiscretion not relating to a foreign body. An easily digestible food can then be introduced, feeding small amounts frequently. Owners should be advised to contact the clinic again should the animal’s condition deteriorate, at which time examination can be arranged.


Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Acute diarrhoea

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