UPSET stomachs are one of the most common reasons pet owners consult their veterinarian.
“Diarrhoea and vomiting occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from relatively benign to serious,” explained Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary advisor to Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
“The most common reason for this in dogs is eating something they shouldn’t.”
“Other causes include stress, food sensitivities, parasites, bacterial infections and viruses, or chronic conditions including pancreatitis, colitis and inflammatory bowel disease,” said Dr Fyvie.
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Dr Fyvie recommends consulting the vet sooner rather than later when your pet has an upset tummy.
“With vomiting or diarrhoea, the body loses water and electrolytes, so your pet can quickly become dehydrated, especially young pets and smaller breeds.”
He advised close monitoring to establish the severity of the problem.
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“Your pet will become lethargic with just two per cent loss of body fluid, severely depressed with five per cent loss and is at risk of death after just 10 per cent fluid loss.”
Prevetion
1. Keep your dog on a lead to prevent it eating anything it finds during a walk.
2. Pet-proof your home by keeping household chemicals and toxins out of reach.
3. Put rubbish in a dustbin that is not accessible to your pet.
4. Don’t feed your pet table scraps or bones.
5. Ensure vaccinations are kept up to date.
6. Only buy a kitten or puppy from a reputable breeder or shelter and make sure it is vaccinated and dewormed (ask for an official vaccination card).
7. Do not take pets to public areas if they are not vaccinated.
8. Deworm your pet regularly (as per your vet’s instructions).
9. Instead of leaving the pet food out to spoil, rather feed your animal several small meals at intervals.
10. Keep your yard clean and dispose of poop daily. Do not wash it into the grass as this can infect the environment with worm eggs inside your pet’s excrement.
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