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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Dog with bloody diarrhea and weight loss diagnosed with pneumatosis

By Russell, Nicholas J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2008·School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Australia·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Pneumatosis coli in a dog.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A 17-year-old male Maltese was brought to the vet because he had been eating a lot but losing weight, along with having diarrhea, straining to poop, and passing thin, ribbon-like stools for two weeks. The vet diagnosed him with pneumatosis coli, a condition affecting the colon, through X-rays. They also suspected he had hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). After starting a low-residue diet and giving him metronidazole, his symptoms improved significantly within just two days.

People also search for: dog diarrhea treatment · Maltese weight loss causes · dog straining to poop · metronidazole for dogs · dog colon problems

Abstract

A 17-year-old, castrated male Maltese was presented with chronic polyphagia and a 2-week history of tenesmus, diarrhea, hematochezia, weight loss, and ribbon-like feces. Pneumatosis coli was diagnosed by abdominal radiography. Concurrent hyperadrenocorticism was suspected. The clinical signs of colorectal disease resolved within 2 days of initiating a lowresidue diet and oral metronidazole. Pneumatosis coli should be considered as a differential diagnosis for colorectal disease in dogs.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18175797/