Introduction
Acute gastrointestinal disease is a common reason for dogs and cats to be presented for veterinary care. Clinical signs can range from mild and self-limiting to severe and life-threatening.
These signs can be divided into regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhea, or any combination there of. The initial clinical evaluation must take into account the severity of the animal’s condition. This will help determine the extent of the diagnostic evaluation and guide initial treatment strategies. In cases with mild clinical signs, the diagnostic evaluation may be limited, and require only outpatient symptomatic care. In animals with severe clinical signs, a more thorough evaluation and inpatient care may be necessary. Complications of vomiting and diarrhea include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition and/or protein depletion. In most cases, it is helpful to establish a definitive diagnosis, but this is not always necessary or possible.2.1.2
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