Gastroenteritis is a common but worrisome phenomenon in dogs. It does not just upset your furry companion’s tummy, but can also make your playful pup lethargic. That’s why it is imperative to recognise this condition early and provide your pooch with the necessary care to help them recover faster. The question is, how do you find out when your fur friend is suffering from gastroenteritis, and what can you do to provide them relief? Here are the answers.
Read on to learn about gastroenteritis in dogs, its causes and symptoms, and the ways to treat this potentially dangerous health condition.
What is gastroenteritis in dogs?
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and intestines. A dog with gastroenteritis may experience diarrhoea, vomiting and other health problems. Frequent diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes, like sodium. This common condition can affect dogs of any age and size. Gastroenteritis can be either chronic (lasting for two weeks or more) or acute (emerges suddenly and lasts for a shorter duration). Another variant is known as haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), which is caused by specific bacteria in the dog’s gut and is characterised blood in the stool. Though common in dogs, gastroenteritis is tricky to handle, and the treatment response depends on its cause, effect and the dog’s physical condition.
Can dogs get stomach bugs?
Yes, dogs can get stomach bugs or gastroenteritis, as it is commonly known. It is the swelling in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. With viral infection being one of the reasons, there are a variety of reasons that can cause gastroenteritis in dogs.
Causes of gastroenteritis in dogs
Some of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in dogs include:
- Infection from viruses or bacteria, like parvovirus, distemper, etc.
- Ingestion of foreign bodies, such as a piece of a dog toy. This can lead to blockage in the stomach or intestines and thus, an increase in swelling.
- Parasitic/worm infections from roundworms, hookworms, etc.
- Endocrine diseases such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
- Pancreatic, liver, or kidney diseases.
- Food allergy.
- Sudden change in diet quantity and inclusion of table scraps or high-fat treats in the diet.
- Ingestion of spoiled or raw food or toxic substances.
- Gastrointestinal cancers.
- Genetic disease or predisposition.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis in dogs
The two most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhoea or soft stool that keeps getting more watery gradually, and vomiting that may appear foamy and yellow in colour once the stomach is empty. The other signs include:
- Dehydration due to fluid loss following frequent diarrhoea and vomiting
- Blood in stools & tarry faeces
- Persistent watery stools
- Nausea or dry heaving, drooling & frequent swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Restlessness
Diagnosis & treatment of gastroenteritis
The symptoms of gastroenteritis are similar to various other ailments, which makes it difficult to diagnose this condition. Besides, there is no certainty about how dangerous the condition can become eventually. A vet visit, therefore, is the best way to diagnose gastroenteritis and accordingly provide your fur friend the required treatment.
Diagnosis
- Your veterinarian may start by inquiring about your pet’s health history, e.g., your dog’s current & recent diet, the quantity and frequency of food you feed, the details of their recent exposure to a new animal or human, etc.
- Your vet will also ask about the supplements and parasite treatments your pet had recently.
- The veterinarian will conduct blood tests and collect stool samples to find out the presence of any toxins, parasites, or infection.
- The vet may go for an abdominal X-ray to identify the presence of any foreign body in the stomach and abdominal ultrasound for inflammation or cancer.
Treatment
- If the signs are persistent and your dog is suffering from bacterial infection, the vet will put them on antibiotics.When the cause of gastroenteritis is worm infections, de-worming treatments may be suggested.In case of dehydration, the vet will give intravenous fluids to restore electrolytes levels and rehydrate them.Antidiarrhoeal treatments are administered to control diarrhoea in your dog.Similarly, antiemetics are given to your fur friend to control nausea and vomiting.A surgery is performed to remove of the foreign object if it is the cause of gastroenteritis.
- If food allergy is the culprit, your veterinarian may suggest a change in your dog’s diet and will also ask you to feed them a bland diet for some time.
Gastroenteritis recovery time
The recovery time for a dog suffering from gastroenteritis depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Chronic gastroenteritis may require prolonged treatment and heal over time, whereas an infection may take seven to ten days to subside. If eating spoiled or contaminated food is the reason, the recovery time will be only one or two days. As for the intestinal parasites, your fur friend may recover within approximately three months.
To conclude
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a common condition and is caused by various reasons. However, it is no less important and needs to be treated promptly to keep your furry companion healthy and safe. By recognising the symptoms of gastroenteritis and accurate diagnosis, you can provide the required treatment to your furry family member and ensure their well-being.
