Important indicator of intestinal health in dogs and cats
Dogs and cats do not speak and also have a high tolerance for pain. Sometimes when we find our beloved pets are sick, the condition may already be very serious. As a qualified pooper scooper, you should have excellent observation skills. When interacting with your pet, you should not only "observe", but also be willing to do research for the "poop". The state of stool is an important criterion for evaluating the health of dogs and cats.
The stool score is one of the common clinical diagnostic methods for dogs and cats. Through the color, shape, and dopant of the stool, we can make a general analysis of the pet's physical condition.
Level 5: very low moisture content, dry, fragile and lumpy.
Level 4: manure with clearly visible lines and dry cracks on the surface, easy to pick up and basically no residue on the ground.
Level 3: manure is moist, cylindrical, and there is residue when picked up from the ground.
Level 2: The feces are moist, but not completely liquid. It is not easy to pick up, and in some cases it sticks around the pet's bottom.
Level 1: completely liquid stool.
On this basis, the higher the level, the lower the water content in the stool, combined with other symptoms. It can be suspected that the peristaltic function of the gastrointestinal tract is weakened and the stool stays in the intestinal tract for too long, which, together with the insufficient water intake of the animal, results in dry and hard stools, and in severe cases, intestinal obstruction and intestinal necrosis may occur.
The lower the level, the more water in the stool, combined with clinical signs, can be suspected of gastrointestinal diseases, acute or chronic gastritis, allergies, etc. Certain acute infectious diseases, such as canine microvirus infection and distemper, are associated with stool with a level of 5.
Stool color
Usually the stool is yellow as well as brown, but the color of the stool is also closely related to the food. For example, dogs and cats that have been eating raw bones and meat for a long time will have darker stools, and on the same day they have eaten brightly colored food such as pumpkin and groundnuts, the stool may also have the same color.
-Dark red: usually indicates anterior gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric bleeding and duodenal bleeding.
-Bright red: In contrast to dark red stools, bright red stools indicate problems in the back part of the digestive tract, such as the rectum and anus.
-Black: The presence of black stool is usually related to the pigment contained in the food. When black stool appear, pet owners should make a judgment in conjunction with other indicators, and if the stools are unformed, contain a lot of water, or have other clinical signs, they need to be seen by a hospital immediately.
-Yellowish-white: Yellowish-white stool are usually caused by abnormal liver function, and may also be due to high fat content in the diet. Pets with this condition need to be observed for a period of time, and if they do not improve for a long time, they need to be seen by a doctor.
-Hair: Pets have a habit of licking their hair, especially cats, and the presence of hair in the stool is normal. If the animal is old or has a weak digestive system, it can be properly fed with a chemical hair cream.
-Parasites: Roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms are parasites in the intestinal tract, of which roundworms are the most obvious and can be seen with the naked eye as worms entrapped in the stool. At this point, the problem is already very serious and should be treated as soon as possible.
-Mucus, mucous membrane, etc.: Usually shed intestinal mucosa. When the stool level is normal, there is no need to worry too much. When the stool is at a level of 2 and below, or when other adverse symptoms are present, it is important to pay attention.
-Foreign matters: The discovery of -foreign matters in the stool can be a mixed blessing. The good news is that the foreign matter is not causing intestinal obstruction, but as a precaution, it is best to have a systematic examination to prevent damage to the lining of the digestive tract as well as to ensure that there are no other foreign matters.
Stool Smell
The odor of stool is caused by bacteria decomposing the products in the digestive tract. The main components of the odor are indole, skatole, hydrocarbons, amines, acetic acid, butyric acid, etc. As a qualified excrement shoveler, you should be particularly familiar with the smell of your pet’s excrement. When the excrement smells abnormal one day, you should be more careful, it may be a precursor to a disease or it is already onset.
Stronger than usual smell: Maybe the protein content in the recent meal is too high and needs to be adjusted.
-Rust odor: typical symptoms of parvovirus enteritis, usually accompanied by level 1 watery stool, dark red. Immediate medical attention is required.
-Sour smell: When the animal is indigestion, there will be a certain amount of fat and sugar in the stool, and the decomposition and fermentation will emit a sour smell.
Abnormal stools can be handled on their own if they occur only once. If diarrhea occurs, fast for 4 hours after diarrhea, do not abstain from water, and add some probiotics for pets to help regulate the gastrointestinal flora and promote recovery. After recovery, feed some easily digestible food, such as boiled chicken breast, soaked staple food, etc. If the abnormal stool persist for many days and the home regimen does not improve, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Some people will ask how little time they have at home and often they can't notice their pet's stools right away.
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