vomiting /diarrhea/anorexia Flashcards
vomiting
The forceful ejection of the stomach contents (and often the contents of the proximal small intestine) through the mouth
diarrhea
Change in the frequency (increase), consistency (increased water), or volume (increase) of bowel movements and feces
annorexia
Decrease or complete loss of appetite
consequences for severe v/d
dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, acid base imbalance, poss aspiration into lungs
management and treatment for v/d
removing initiating cause, controlling the vomiting, correcting deficits, assess dehydration if 5% or more animal is usally placed on iv fluids, control water, withold food for 24-48hrs
how to reintroduce water/food to a post vomiting patient
start with small icecubes to lick, 1-2tbsp every hour, gastroenteric diet, slowly and gradually, very small amounts of food to gradually reach animals DER, tablespoon every 2-3hrs, once animal is able to eat gastro enteric diet add regular food 1/4 regular 3/4 gastro 2-3 days, more and more regular diet
consequences of prolonged anorexia
- Loss of body weight and body condition
- Decreased healing ability
- Decreased immune response
- Decreased gut absorption of nutrients necessary for sustaining life
- Catabolism of body tissues for energy (since food would not be available to supply energy)
- Hepatic lipidosis (critical in cats; refer to the section
when describing vomit it is important to note:
colour, consitency, volume, unusual material
Vomiting and/or diarrhea can lead to loss of ______________; decreased ____________ levels lead to anorexia.
K , potassium
encourage appetite for cats:
Ensure nares are not blocked (cats’ appetites are very dependent on their sense of smell).
-Place food on their paws so they will lick it when they clean themselves.
-Hand feed them, spend time with them, pet them, ensure a quiet environment with few stressors, and encourage owner involvement.
-Warm up food (volatiles in food are released with heating and will enhance odour).
-Mix food with warm water.
-Try canned food if on kibble, or vice versa.
-Try a food with different shapes (cats can be particular about the shape of their kibble).
Try a different brand of food.
-Try a very “smelly” food such as sardines or tuna (short term).
- Try canned pumpkin.
- Ask the DVM about medication to stimulate appetite
encourage appetite in dogs:
try good quality cat food added to meals.
- Warm up food to enhance odour and palatability.
- Mix warm water with it.
- Change to another brand.
- Try some canned food if on dry, or vice versa.
- Hand feed, and involve the owner if necessary.