Re: Pooping during stress
My physiology is a little rusty but my I'll give my best 'educated' guess.
 
During a time of stress when an animal needs to react quickly s/he needs to
mobilize all of his/her resources, particularly blood, to the large muscles
(and heart).  Since digestion occurs in the intestine (the stomach only
helps to break down large particles to smaller particles), then any
food/stool in the intestine would have lots of blood flowing nearby to aid
in digestion.  Hence, one would need to redirect this flow of blood.
Mobilizing the blood to the muscles may require the stool to be
..err..'lost' or it may simply be that the physiological reactions that
redirect the blood have a 'side effect' of riding the body of any food in
the intestine.
 
NB:(any stimulant--adrenaline, coffee, etc. will cause the intestine to
increases it's peristaltic activity--the activity which moves the stool
along and 'out').
 
This is just my educated guess.  Like I said, my physiology is rusty..maybe
the vets could comment?
 
         Michaela Maurice & her Bundles of Joy
 
ps.  To any who remember, Bugsy is back on regular food and maintaining his
weight (hasn't gained any but isn't losing any either)--Thanks again to all
who wrote in with recipes and support. :)
[Posted in FML issue 1723]