Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

The bacteria Clostridium perfringens produces canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
This disease begins suddenly with vomiting, followed in two to
three hours by a profuse, bloody diarrhea. Small breeds, particularly
Miniature Schnauzers and Toy Poodles, have a predisposition for hemorrhagic
gastroenteritis.
Garbage poisoning and ingesting poisons and toxic chemicals produces
signs and symptoms similar to those of acute enteritis. When diarrhea and
vomiting occur together, the dog’s condition is serious and warrants an immediate
trip to the veterinarian.
Treatment: This is directed toward prompt replacement of fluids and electrolytes.
Intravenous fluids may be necessary. Antibiotics that are effective
against the causative bacteria may be administered. Medications to control
vomiting and/or diarrhea may also be needed.
MALABSORPTION SYNDROME
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM • 275
Malabsorption is not a specific disease, but occurs as a consequence of some
underlying disorder of the small bowel or the pancreas. In malabsorption syndrome,
the dog either does not digest food or does not absorb the products of
digestion from the small intestine. Dogs suffering from malabsorption are
underweight and malnourished despite a voracious appetite. Diarrhea occurs
three or four times a day. The stools are typically large, rancid smelling, and
contain a great deal of fat. The hair around the anus may be oily or greasy.
Predisposing causes of malabsorption include exocrine pancreatic insufficiency,
permanent damage to the intestinal mucosa following infectious
enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease with inflamed or destroyed intestinal
mucosa, surgical removal of a major portion of the small bowel, and primary
diseases of the small intestine. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers may suffer from
a protein-losing enteropathy, where they don’t properly digest and absorb protein
(also see Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enteritis, page 273).
Idiopathic villous atrophy is one of the primary diseases of the small intestine.
Villi are microscopic hairlike structures that make up the absorptive surface
of the small bowel. In a dog with villous atrophy these structures are
blunted and poorly developed. Idiopathic villous atrophy occurs most often in
German Shepherd Dogs. A similar hereditary disease is wheat-sensitive or
gluten-sensitive enteropathy, described in Irish Setters.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth has been identified as another important
cause of malabsorption. German Shepherd Dogs, Basenjis, and Chinese
Shar-Pei have an increased incidence. Affected dogs develop an abundant and
abnormal bacterial flora in the small intestine, which causes foul-smelling diarrhea.
Some cases have been associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency,
inflammatory bowel disease, or stagnant loops of bowel caused by intestinal
surgery. In German Shepherd Dogs and Chinese Shar-Pei, the condition may