Section: Veterinary Care In-depth
Diagnosis In-depth
Obtaining a complete medical history, and performing a thorough physical examination are necessary to create an appropriate diagnostic plan for the patient who present with acute vomiting and diarrhea.
A complete blood count (CBC) will evaluate for the presence of infection, inflammation and anemia, associated with some diseases that cause acute vomiting and diarrhea.
A biochemical profile evaluates very important parameters of the patient including the kidneys, liver, electrolytes, total protein and blood sugar status.
A urinalysis helps evaluate the kidneys and hydration status of the patient.
Abdominal radiographs (X-rays) evaluate the abdominal organs, presence of fluid, and the presence of a foreign body or tumor.
Multiple fecal examinations are important to rule out gastrointestinal parasites.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostics to ensure optimal medical care. These tests are selected on a
Case-by-case basis.
An ACTH stimulation test may be recommended to rule out hypoadrenocorticism (addison's disease), which is an insufficiency of the adrenal glands. It is a safe timed blood test that can be performed at your regular veterinarian.
Bile acids should be considered in those patients where assessing liver function is in order. It is a safe timed blood test that can be performed by your regular veterinarian.
An upper gastrointestinal (GI) barium (dye) series should be considered in those cases where the baseline diagnostics are not confirming a diagnosis, and the vomiting and diarrhea is persisting. It may be of benefit in those cases where foreign bodies or tumors are not apparent on radiographs, or to confirm a diagnosis if GI ulceration. A safe dye is given to the patient by mouth, and is then watched as it travels through the GI tract. It is a non-invasive test that can often be performed by your local veterinarian, however in some cases may need to be transferred to a specialty facility.
An abdominal ultrasound evaluates the abdominal organs and helps assess for the presence of tumors or masses. Abdominal organs, lymph nodes and masses can be biopsied with the guidance of ultrasound through the abdominal wall. The procedure is relatively safe, however may necessitated a mild sedative. It is often recommended that a specialist perform the procedure.
Gastroduodenoscopy (upper GI endoscopy) may be of benefit in these patients. It may facilitate the removal of foreign bodies, help evaluate for ulcer disease, and sample tissue for the presence of inflammation or cancer. Hospitalization is brief, and healing is generally quick and uncomplicated. The procedure does necessitate general anesthesia, and therefore is associated with minor risks. It is often necessary to refer the patient to a specialist. Endoscopy is performed when other diagnostics are inconclusive, inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma is suspected, or a foreign body is located in an accessible area and needs to be retrieved.
Lastly, an exploratory laparotomy should be performed as a diagnostic tool in any individual who has had extensive diagnostics without a confirmed underlying cause, or in the patient with a poor response to therapy who continues to vomit and have diarrhea.
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