Vomiting, Diarrhea May Sometimes Be Treated At Home
By Dr. Karen Halligan

Pets are a lot like babies in that they can't verbally tell you when they're not feeling good.

It can be scary and frustrating trying to determine when to take your pet to the vet. Home remedies and common sense can help with minor problems, but sometimes pets need to get to the doctor to stop a simple problem from becoming life-threatening.

The following are some common ailments and some advice how to handle the situation.

Vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom rather than a disease. It is a very nonspecific symptom, which means it can occur with a large number of disease processes.

Many times, simple cases of vomiting are self-limiting; they resolve on their own after a few days. But vomiting can also occur with a large number of illnesses, some very serious. Intestinal or stomach viruses, parasites, change in diet, endocrine disease, cancer, kidney disease, bowl obstruction and poisoning can all lead to vomiting.

Cats will sometimes vomit from ingesting too much hair after they groom themselves and puppies will vomit from just a car ride. Even simple cases of vomiting can lead to death due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Additionally, puppies, kittens, and senior patients are much more sensitive to this and require careful monitoring and treatment to prevent a fatality.

As you can see, cats and dogs will vomit for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is eating something that upsets their stomach or intestines, like hair or garbage. If your pet vomits, but seems otherwise healthy, the best thing to do is to take away the food for 12 to 24 hours. You still want to provide fresh water though to prevent dehydration (small amounts every couple of hours is best).

Fortunately, stomach lining cells renew rapidly and can heal themselves a lot of the time. If your pet has been able to keep liquids down after 24 hours, you can start feeding them a bland diet like cottage cheese and cooked rice or boiled white meat chicken and cooked rice. Frequent small feedings are best, and then gradually mix in their regular diet.

If your pet cannot keep water down or is lethargic, running a fever or exhibiting abdominal pain, you must take them to the vet immediately. If they are able to keep water down, yet repeatedly vomit food, take them to your vet as well.

Sometimes vets suggest an over-the-counter medicine such as Pepcid AC, but again, check with your vet first. Furthermore, the above guidelines do not necessarily apply to kittens and puppies, whose systems are more delicate, so call your vet first.

Diarrhea

Virtually all pets suffer from bouts of diarrhea at one point or another. Diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease, and just like in the case of vomiting, can occur with a wide variety of illnesses and ailments. Diarrhea can also, if severe and lengthy, lead to death due to dehydration, protein loss and electrolyte imbalance. Mild cases can resolve with simple treatments.

Diarrhea can be secondary from stomach or intestinal viruses, intestinal cancer, colitis, parasites, change in diet and endocrine disease.

Your veterinarian should treat bloody diarrhea, persistent diarrhea or diarrhea associated with other clinical signs such as vomiting, lethargy or abdominal pain immediately.

If your pet seems healthy but has recently developed diarrhea, the best thing to do, like with vomiting, is to withhold food for 12 to 24 hours to allow the cells that line the intestinal tract time to heal. Water should be given to prevent dehydration. Mild cases of diarrhea usually resolve on its own. Offer a bland diet such as cottage cheese and cooked rice or boiled white meat chicken and cooked rice. You can give over-the-counter medicine, such as Imodium AD, but check with your vet first.

Limping

Lameness is a very common ailment in pets, and luckily, simple cases may resolve on their own. However, if your pet cannot put any weight on its limb or he or she appears to be in pain, see your vet right away.

If your pet is limping but will let you examine the leg and paw and it doesn't seem to be too painful, then try resting your pet for a couple of days. This means excursions and walks are limited to just going out to potty.

Mild cases of muscle aches and pains will resolve with rest and you can call your vet to see if an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin, is appropriate for dogs. Cats are very sensitive to such medicine and one Tylenol can cause death. Therefore, never give anything to your cat without checking with your vet first.

If the lameness has improved with rest, then gradually work up to their normal routine. This means starting out with short walks and lengthening them over a couple of weeks.

Often times simple cases of vomiting, diarrhea and lameness will resolve without having to take your pet to the vet. However, there are times when you should always take your pet in for treatment. Coughing, wounds of any kind, eye problems and difficulty breathing are all symptoms that necessitate a trip to the vet.

Taking your pet to the vet sooner rather than later can save you time, money and most importantly, your pet's life!

Content provided by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. For more information, visit spcaLA.com.