Why does my dog or cat exhibit some of the symptoms they do when they are ill. Although there are many scientific reasons with long cascades of information to explain it all, sometimes a simplistic approach is easier to grasp.
This is a very simplistic view to describe many symptoms animals may exhibit for varying diseases. Again it is VERY rudimentary, and does not cover all aspects of all disease symptoms, but it does cover the basics of many common disease symptoms.
If we were to envision the body as an entity that thinks and processes as we, I could envision it regarding many diseases in this way: “Many times when I feel something is wrong, it seems to be because there is something inside me that should not be there. I think I would just like to get it out, leave it on the ground and walk away.”
If we simplify many symptoms, this would make sense. Here are some examples of how this may work:
“Leave It On The Ground And Walk Away”
By veterinarian George E. Martin, Jr., DVM, "Doc Martin"
Parasite: If there is a parasite in the intestine, expel it with diarrhea, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Dietary Intolerance: If we ate something too irritating or that is not good for us or we cannot digest, either vomit it out or expel it with diarrhea, or both; leave it on the ground and walk away.
Foreign Body, Some Toxins: If there is a foreign body or certain toxins in the stomach, induce vomiting, expel the object, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Diabetes, Other Toxins: If there is too much sugar (diabetes) or a toxin, make more urine (maybe increase water intake to help), flush it out the kidneys, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Urinary Stones: If there are too many of the wrong minerals, make urine stones, flush them out in the urine, leave them on the ground and walk away.
Ear Mites or Infection: If there is infection or parasites in the ears, make extra fluid or wax or discharge to capture them, shake the head to propel them out, leave them on the ground and walk away.
Penetrating Foreign Body/Abscess/Cyst: If there is a foreign body, bacteria, or abnormal debris under the skin, fill it with fluid, make a new opening, expel everything, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Skin Allergies/Infections: If there is an irritant on or in the skin, or of there are yeast or bacteria in or on the skin, make a crusty rash with flakes or scabs, or possibly extra oils, make it itchy so we scratch the stuff to make it fall off, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Respiratory Irritants or infections: If there is an irritant of microbe we do not like in the lungs or in the nasal area, increase fluid and mucus to trap it, cough or sneeze it out, respectively; leave it on the ground and walk away.
Eye Irritants and infections: If there is an irritant or microbe in the eyes, make extra tears or a mucous discharge to trap it, “cry it out”, leave it on the ground and walk away.
Of course these do not cover every symptom and every disease but I feel it makes a good summary of many of the common ones.
Diarrhea and vomiting in dogs and cats will occur at some time. Often it is something they ate that is disagreeable, maybe they ate too much or too fast, they may have been nervous or excited or their body is reacting to some non-serious condition.
Veterinarian George E. Martin, Jr., DVM, "Doc Martin" has been providing advanced veterinary care for over 24 years to dogs, cats, and exotic pets. In his free time he likes to write poetry and spend time with his family. Doc Martin’s Frisco veterinary hospital is conveniently located off of the 121 Tollway and Coit Road providing vet care to Frisco, Plano, Allen and the north Dallas metropolitan area.
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