J . small Anim. Pract. (1977) 18, 543-547.
An investigation into some causes of canine diarrhoea in Ibadan 0. 0 . O D U Y E
AND
M. F. O L A Y E M I
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
ABSTRACT Between October 1975 and March 1976, fourteen dogs of the 308 examined in the small animal clinic of the University of Ibadan were diarrhoeic while eight dogs from two experimental groups housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1-5 km from the small animal clinic also had diarrhoea. The most common condition associated wjth diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan was intestinal parasitism caused mainly by Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) Isospora canis (five cases) and Dipylidiunz caninuni (one case). The other causes of diarrhoea were canine distemper, bacterial enteritis, canine babesiosis, traumatic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. INTRODUCTION Many cases of diarrhoea in the dog have been empirically treated for intestinal parasitism even when no parasites or their ova could be demonstrated in faecal samples. Except for an unreported case of amoebic colitis associated with diarrhoea in a dog (Dipeolu & Hill, 1975) there is no available information on the aetiology of canine diarrhoea in Nigeria. This investigation was carried out to determine the possible causes of canine diarrhoea so as to be able to institute an effective treatment regime. MA T E RI A L S A N D M E T H O D S The study involved 308 dogs examined at the University of Ibadan small animal clinic over a 6-month period (October 1975-March 1976) and two groups of experimental dogs housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1.5 km from the small animal clinic. All dogs were examined clinically although faecal 543
544
0. 0 . ODUYE A N D M . F. OLAYEMI
samples were only collected from those with clinical evidence of diarrhoea. The faecal samples were examined microscopically by the direct smear method and the saturated sodium chloride-floatation technique for protozoan cysts and helminth ova. Faecal samples from two dogs which had no evidence of parasite in their faeces were also subjected to bacteriological examination for the presence of pathogenic strains of enterobacteria. In addition, about 2 ml of blood was collected from the cephalic vein of each dog into a bijou bottle containing ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) for haematological and parasitological examinations. The haematological parameters determined were PCV, Hb, RBC, total WBC and differential leucocyte counts. In the two groups of experimental dogs, consisting of fourteen and nine, respectively, in each group, there were outbreaks of diarrhoea which were studied. When there was death, a post-mortem examination was carried out to determine the cause. None of the experimental dogs had been vaccinated against distemper, viral hepatitis or leptospirosis.
RESULTS Twenty-two dogs had diarrhoea. Fourteen of the 308 dogs examined at the small animal clinic had diarrhoea while eight from the two experimental groups (four dogs from each group) were also affected. The confirmed causes of diarrhoea were hookworm infections (six cases) canine distemper (five cases) coccidiosis (five cases) bacterial enteritis (two cases) tapeworm, and one case each due to traumatic gastroenteritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis and canine babesiosis. Twelve cases of diarrhoea were due to intestinal parasitism caused by hookworm infections Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) intestinal coccidiosis (five cases) and tapeworm (one case). Ova of Ancylostoma caninurn were demonstrated microscopically in the faeces of the six cases of hookworm infections. Oocysts of Isospora canis were detected in the faeces of the five cases of coccidiosis, while elongated oval-shaped proglottides of Dipylidium caninum were abundantly demonstrated in the case of tapeworm. Clinically, the affected dogs were weak, anorexic, dehydrated and passed watery fluid faeces which, except in the case with Dipylidiurn caninum, were all blood stained. Although the mucus membranes were pale, there was no great change in the PCV, Hb concentration and erythrocyte count due to the associated dehydration and accompanying haemoconcentration. Of the five dogs with coccidiosis, four were from a group of nine experimental puppies of 4-44 months of age while the fifth was a 3-month-old dog brought to the small animal clinic. One of the experimental dogs which died during the infection had intussusception of the jejunum, and haemorrhagic enteritis. Large numbers of developmental stages of Isospora canis were demonstrated in scrapings from the intestinal mucosa of this dog.
C A U S E S OF C A N I N E D I A R R H O E A
545
Canine distemper There were five cases of diarrhoea associated with canine distemper. Four of these were seen in dogs following an outbreak in the second experimental group of fourteen dogs; while the fifth was a small animal clinic case. The clinical signs associated with this condition in three dogs were anorexia, dullness, mucopurulent oculo-nasal discharge, pyrexia with temperatures ranging between 102.5 and 104"F,profuse diarrhoea and pustular dermatitis of the ventral abdominal region. Two of the experimental dogs died and at post-mortem showed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, splenic enlargement, bronchopneumonia and pustular dermatitis. Both cytoplasmic and intra-nuclear inclusion bodies were demonstrated in histological sections of the respiratory and digestive epithelia stained by haematoxylin and eosin. These findings were considered diagnostic of canine distemper. Bacterial enteritis This was seen in two dogs, one of which was a 7-week-old puppy and the other a 2-year-old dog. Both were reported to have been vomiting and passing slimy mucoid faeces. The faeces were liquid, foul-smelling and black in colour. Both dogs were pyrexic, 102.5 and 103.5"F, respectively. The abdomen was tender and painful on palpation. Both dogs were slightly dehydrated. The faeces were negative for helminth ova or coccidial oocysts. Bacteriological examination showed the presence of enteropathogenic strains of E. coli and Salmonella spp. Babesiosis The fifth case of canine distemper presented for examination at the small animal clinic was also covered with ticks. In addition to the other clinical signs, it was anaemic. A blood smear from this dog stained by Giemsa revealed various forms of Babesia canis and B. gibsoni. Traumatic gastro-enteritis The only patient with this condition was an adult bitch which was reported to have been vomiting and passing blood-stained faeces for about 5 days. During clinical examination, the bitch passed bone spicules in blood stained watery faeces while she also vomited small pieces of bone. She was dehydrated, dull and listless and showed severe abdominal pain. No helminth ova or coccidial oocysts were found in the faeces. No radiographic studies were done to ascertain the extent of damage done by the bone spicules. Eosinophilic gastro-enteritis This condition was seen in a 5-year-old Alsatian dog which was reported to have occasional inappetence, intermittent diarrhoea, bilateral mucopurulent ocular discharge and loss of weight. The diarrhoea had become progressively more severe.
546
0. 0. ODUYE A N D M. F. OLAYEMI
The dog was lean, weak and dehydrated with a tender abdomen which was painful on palpation. Faecal samples were negative for parasitic ova or protozoan cysts but the blood picture persistently revealed eosinophilia. A rectal biopsy revealed massive infiltration of the lamina propria by eosinophils. DISCUSSION The findings in this investigation revealed that the most common cause of diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan is intestinal parasitism. This state of affairs can be attributed to the mode of care given to dogs in this environment. As indicated earlier (Oduye & Dipeolu, 1976), most of the local dogs are kept out-of-doors. This affords them the opportunity to wander a good distance from their local environment, bringing them into closer contact with infected areas. Poor sanitation and nutrition also allows the dogs to scavenge around thereby picking up Isospora species from infected or contaminated dumps. Despite the continuous loss of blood in the faeces, anaemia was not a marked feature in any of these cases. However, this can be explained on the basis of the fact that many of the affected dogs were dehydrated, thereby suffering from haemoconcentration which appeared to mask the effect of anaemia due to severe blood loss. Reports of canine distemper in local dogs are very rare although a few cases have been diagnosed and confirmed in exotic breeds (Hill, 1976). This has led to an erroneous belief that local dogs are either resistant to canine distemper or that it is an exotic disease. It is noteworthy that four of the five cases seen occurred in an epidemic form affecting local dogs. This dispels the idea that local dogs are nonsusceptible. However, it may well be that their immunity breaks down under the stress of forced management and experimental manipulation. The public health aspect of bacterial enteritis involving Salmonella spp. should be borne in mind. Although these dogs are kept out-of-doors, there is sufficient contact with man to allow animal-to-man transmission or vice versa. Indeed, Ojo (1972) reported Salmonella infection in a dog and subsequent examination of members of the household and friends also resulted in the isolation of Salmonella SPP. It is difficult to define the role of babesiosis in the diarrhoeic dogs which also had canine distemper. At best, it might have contributed partially to the diarrhoea and it is also possible that these blood parasites are just incidental findings (concurrent infections) which bear no relationship whatsoever to the diarrhoea. The effect of bone spicules in the case of traumatic gastro-enteritis was probably two-fold, firstly, causing local irritation resulting in haemorrhagic enteritis and blood stained faeces and secondly, high but partial intestinal obstruction which manifested itself in vomiting. Some radiological investigations would have confirmed these theories. The pathogenesis of diarrhoea in eosinophilic gastroenteritis is not very clear.
CAUSES OF C A N I N E D I A R R H O E A
547
However, the clinical signs encountered in the case studied were similar to those observed by Easley (1972) and Hayden & Kruiningen (1973). In this investigation, diarrhoea was more common in dogs kept together in kennels. In the two outbreaks of diarrhoea involving kennelled dogs, the condition was mainly associated with canine distemper and coccidiosis, both of which could have been prevented or controlled by vaccination and good management and hygiene programmes, respectively. The importance of a vaccination programme and adequate hygiene is emphasized.
REFERENCES DIPEOLU, 0.0. & HILL,D.H. (1975) Personal communication. J.R. (1972) Gastroenteritis and associated eosinophilia in a dog. J. Am. uef. med. Ass. EASLEY, 161, 1030. HAYDEN, D.W. & KRUININGEN, H.J., VAN (1973) Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in German shepherd dogs and its relationship with visceral larva migrams. J. Am. uet. med, Ass. 162, 375. HILL,D.H. (1976) Personal communication. ODUYE, 0.0.& DIPEOLU,0.0. (1976) Blood parasites of dogs in Ibadan. J. small Anim. Pract. 17, 331. OJO,M.O. (1972) Notes on salmonellae isolated from domestic animals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 4, 102.
An investigation into some causes of canine diarrhoea in Ibadan 0. 0 . O D U Y E
AND
M. F. O L A Y E M I
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
ABSTRACT Between October 1975 and March 1976, fourteen dogs of the 308 examined in the small animal clinic of the University of Ibadan were diarrhoeic while eight dogs from two experimental groups housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1-5 km from the small animal clinic also had diarrhoea. The most common condition associated wjth diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan was intestinal parasitism caused mainly by Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) Isospora canis (five cases) and Dipylidiunz caninuni (one case). The other causes of diarrhoea were canine distemper, bacterial enteritis, canine babesiosis, traumatic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. INTRODUCTION Many cases of diarrhoea in the dog have been empirically treated for intestinal parasitism even when no parasites or their ova could be demonstrated in faecal samples. Except for an unreported case of amoebic colitis associated with diarrhoea in a dog (Dipeolu & Hill, 1975) there is no available information on the aetiology of canine diarrhoea in Nigeria. This investigation was carried out to determine the possible causes of canine diarrhoea so as to be able to institute an effective treatment regime. MA T E RI A L S A N D M E T H O D S The study involved 308 dogs examined at the University of Ibadan small animal clinic over a 6-month period (October 1975-March 1976) and two groups of experimental dogs housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1.5 km from the small animal clinic. All dogs were examined clinically although faecal 543
544
0. 0 . ODUYE A N D M . F. OLAYEMI
samples were only collected from those with clinical evidence of diarrhoea. The faecal samples were examined microscopically by the direct smear method and the saturated sodium chloride-floatation technique for protozoan cysts and helminth ova. Faecal samples from two dogs which had no evidence of parasite in their faeces were also subjected to bacteriological examination for the presence of pathogenic strains of enterobacteria. In addition, about 2 ml of blood was collected from the cephalic vein of each dog into a bijou bottle containing ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) for haematological and parasitological examinations. The haematological parameters determined were PCV, Hb, RBC, total WBC and differential leucocyte counts. In the two groups of experimental dogs, consisting of fourteen and nine, respectively, in each group, there were outbreaks of diarrhoea which were studied. When there was death, a post-mortem examination was carried out to determine the cause. None of the experimental dogs had been vaccinated against distemper, viral hepatitis or leptospirosis.
RESULTS Twenty-two dogs had diarrhoea. Fourteen of the 308 dogs examined at the small animal clinic had diarrhoea while eight from the two experimental groups (four dogs from each group) were also affected. The confirmed causes of diarrhoea were hookworm infections (six cases) canine distemper (five cases) coccidiosis (five cases) bacterial enteritis (two cases) tapeworm, and one case each due to traumatic gastroenteritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis and canine babesiosis. Twelve cases of diarrhoea were due to intestinal parasitism caused by hookworm infections Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) intestinal coccidiosis (five cases) and tapeworm (one case). Ova of Ancylostoma caninurn were demonstrated microscopically in the faeces of the six cases of hookworm infections. Oocysts of Isospora canis were detected in the faeces of the five cases of coccidiosis, while elongated oval-shaped proglottides of Dipylidium caninum were abundantly demonstrated in the case of tapeworm. Clinically, the affected dogs were weak, anorexic, dehydrated and passed watery fluid faeces which, except in the case with Dipylidiurn caninum, were all blood stained. Although the mucus membranes were pale, there was no great change in the PCV, Hb concentration and erythrocyte count due to the associated dehydration and accompanying haemoconcentration. Of the five dogs with coccidiosis, four were from a group of nine experimental puppies of 4-44 months of age while the fifth was a 3-month-old dog brought to the small animal clinic. One of the experimental dogs which died during the infection had intussusception of the jejunum, and haemorrhagic enteritis. Large numbers of developmental stages of Isospora canis were demonstrated in scrapings from the intestinal mucosa of this dog.
C A U S E S OF C A N I N E D I A R R H O E A
545
Canine distemper There were five cases of diarrhoea associated with canine distemper. Four of these were seen in dogs following an outbreak in the second experimental group of fourteen dogs; while the fifth was a small animal clinic case. The clinical signs associated with this condition in three dogs were anorexia, dullness, mucopurulent oculo-nasal discharge, pyrexia with temperatures ranging between 102.5 and 104"F,profuse diarrhoea and pustular dermatitis of the ventral abdominal region. Two of the experimental dogs died and at post-mortem showed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, splenic enlargement, bronchopneumonia and pustular dermatitis. Both cytoplasmic and intra-nuclear inclusion bodies were demonstrated in histological sections of the respiratory and digestive epithelia stained by haematoxylin and eosin. These findings were considered diagnostic of canine distemper. Bacterial enteritis This was seen in two dogs, one of which was a 7-week-old puppy and the other a 2-year-old dog. Both were reported to have been vomiting and passing slimy mucoid faeces. The faeces were liquid, foul-smelling and black in colour. Both dogs were pyrexic, 102.5 and 103.5"F, respectively. The abdomen was tender and painful on palpation. Both dogs were slightly dehydrated. The faeces were negative for helminth ova or coccidial oocysts. Bacteriological examination showed the presence of enteropathogenic strains of E. coli and Salmonella spp. Babesiosis The fifth case of canine distemper presented for examination at the small animal clinic was also covered with ticks. In addition to the other clinical signs, it was anaemic. A blood smear from this dog stained by Giemsa revealed various forms of Babesia canis and B. gibsoni. Traumatic gastro-enteritis The only patient with this condition was an adult bitch which was reported to have been vomiting and passing blood-stained faeces for about 5 days. During clinical examination, the bitch passed bone spicules in blood stained watery faeces while she also vomited small pieces of bone. She was dehydrated, dull and listless and showed severe abdominal pain. No helminth ova or coccidial oocysts were found in the faeces. No radiographic studies were done to ascertain the extent of damage done by the bone spicules. Eosinophilic gastro-enteritis This condition was seen in a 5-year-old Alsatian dog which was reported to have occasional inappetence, intermittent diarrhoea, bilateral mucopurulent ocular discharge and loss of weight. The diarrhoea had become progressively more severe.
546
0. 0. ODUYE A N D M. F. OLAYEMI
The dog was lean, weak and dehydrated with a tender abdomen which was painful on palpation. Faecal samples were negative for parasitic ova or protozoan cysts but the blood picture persistently revealed eosinophilia. A rectal biopsy revealed massive infiltration of the lamina propria by eosinophils. DISCUSSION The findings in this investigation revealed that the most common cause of diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan is intestinal parasitism. This state of affairs can be attributed to the mode of care given to dogs in this environment. As indicated earlier (Oduye & Dipeolu, 1976), most of the local dogs are kept out-of-doors. This affords them the opportunity to wander a good distance from their local environment, bringing them into closer contact with infected areas. Poor sanitation and nutrition also allows the dogs to scavenge around thereby picking up Isospora species from infected or contaminated dumps. Despite the continuous loss of blood in the faeces, anaemia was not a marked feature in any of these cases. However, this can be explained on the basis of the fact that many of the affected dogs were dehydrated, thereby suffering from haemoconcentration which appeared to mask the effect of anaemia due to severe blood loss. Reports of canine distemper in local dogs are very rare although a few cases have been diagnosed and confirmed in exotic breeds (Hill, 1976). This has led to an erroneous belief that local dogs are either resistant to canine distemper or that it is an exotic disease. It is noteworthy that four of the five cases seen occurred in an epidemic form affecting local dogs. This dispels the idea that local dogs are nonsusceptible. However, it may well be that their immunity breaks down under the stress of forced management and experimental manipulation. The public health aspect of bacterial enteritis involving Salmonella spp. should be borne in mind. Although these dogs are kept out-of-doors, there is sufficient contact with man to allow animal-to-man transmission or vice versa. Indeed, Ojo (1972) reported Salmonella infection in a dog and subsequent examination of members of the household and friends also resulted in the isolation of Salmonella SPP. It is difficult to define the role of babesiosis in the diarrhoeic dogs which also had canine distemper. At best, it might have contributed partially to the diarrhoea and it is also possible that these blood parasites are just incidental findings (concurrent infections) which bear no relationship whatsoever to the diarrhoea. The effect of bone spicules in the case of traumatic gastro-enteritis was probably two-fold, firstly, causing local irritation resulting in haemorrhagic enteritis and blood stained faeces and secondly, high but partial intestinal obstruction which manifested itself in vomiting. Some radiological investigations would have confirmed these theories. The pathogenesis of diarrhoea in eosinophilic gastroenteritis is not very clear.
CAUSES OF C A N I N E D I A R R H O E A
547
However, the clinical signs encountered in the case studied were similar to those observed by Easley (1972) and Hayden & Kruiningen (1973). In this investigation, diarrhoea was more common in dogs kept together in kennels. In the two outbreaks of diarrhoea involving kennelled dogs, the condition was mainly associated with canine distemper and coccidiosis, both of which could have been prevented or controlled by vaccination and good management and hygiene programmes, respectively. The importance of a vaccination programme and adequate hygiene is emphasized.
REFERENCES DIPEOLU, 0.0. & HILL,D.H. (1975) Personal communication. J.R. (1972) Gastroenteritis and associated eosinophilia in a dog. J. Am. uef. med. Ass. EASLEY, 161, 1030. HAYDEN, D.W. & KRUININGEN, H.J., VAN (1973) Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in German shepherd dogs and its relationship with visceral larva migrams. J. Am. uet. med, Ass. 162, 375. HILL,D.H. (1976) Personal communication. ODUYE, 0.0.& DIPEOLU,0.0. (1976) Blood parasites of dogs in Ibadan. J. small Anim. Pract. 17, 331. OJO,M.O. (1972) Notes on salmonellae isolated from domestic animals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Trop. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 4, 102.
