Diarrhoea and vomiting are the most common reasons Everyday Pet Insurance from Woolworths customers choose to use VetAssist. 

Let’s start with some definitions. Diarrhoea basically means that the stools are watery and can no longer be easily picked up, and vomiting simply describes what happens when stomach contents e.g food or bile is forcefully coming back up the mouth. 

Both are symptoms of an unhappy gastrointestinal tract and can be the result of many underlying causes. When these happen together, it’s referred to as gastroenteritis which is stomach and intestinal inflammation.

Some of the underlying causes of gastroenteritis in a puppy or kitten might be:

• Infectious disease e.g bacteria, viruses, parasites
• Parasites e.g intestinal worms
• Poisoning
• Gut problems e.g inflammatory bowel disease, intussusception, tumours, obstructions, food intolerance or food allergies
• Metabolic disease 
• Dietary change – there’s a need for gradual transitioning to new foods
• Stress induced
• Dietary indiscretion – what many pet owners know all too well. Some will eat anything and everything!

The response needed will greatly change based on the severity and underlying cause.

What do you do if your pet has vomiting or diarrhoea? 

• Monitor closely
  Vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance, even when they’ve only had it for a day. Puppies and kittens can become dehydrated easily, so it’s always better to lean to the side of caution. If your pet is not feeling well and has vomiting and/or diarrhoea, please speak to a Veterinarian immediately (see below).
  
• Take away the food
  We don’t want to feed a pet in the early stages of vomiting and diarrhoea for a minimum of 6 hours – sometimes up to 24 hours – it really depends on the age and health of your pet. Having a break allows their tummy to rest which will usually help slow down the vomiting and diarrhoea. 
  
• Speak to a Vet
  If the diarrhoea and/or vomiting continues or your pet is ill e.g they are lethargic, not eating, unable to keep water down etc, then please seek immediate Veterinary attention. They need help!
  
• Hydration and dietary management
  If no vomiting has occurred for 6 or more hours, frequent small amounts of water or electrolyte solution are needed. If your pet does not vomit the fluid, small frequent meals of bland food can be given. The bland food that is required needs to be highly digestible for the pet so that’s it’s easy for them to digest. Speak to a Vet to have the best dietary plan for your pet. The bland food should be given for 3-5 days, followed by a very slow transition to their regular balanced diet.  
  
• Isolate from other pets
  In case there’s an infectious cause, we need to isolate the pet from other pets to help contain it. Also, this provides your pet with rest and quiet to aid recovery.

Is this serious?

Keep an eye out for the symptoms below which would indicate your pet needs to see the local Vet for a hands on examination as soon as possible. 

• Your pet is unwell – seems tired or is not eating food
• They are continually vomiting in a short period, or if they are not drinking or keeping water down
• You see blood in the stool or large amounts of mucous and it is becoming more watery