Our dogs love us unconditionally. And even though we adore them just as much, dealing with a dog whose digestive system is acting up can be challenging.
Dogs frequently suffer from gastroenteritis, which can be difficult to treat and make them feel unwell. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, formerly known as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), is a life-threatening condition that can develop from gastroenteritis if it is not treated.
There is a lot to cover when it comes to gastroenteritis, so let’s get started so you can learn everything you need to know to help your dog’s stomach feel better.
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is categorized as either acute or chronic. While chronic gastroenteritis can take weeks or even months to develop, acute gastroenteritis manifests itself suddenly.
There are many signs of canine gastroenteritis, but diarrhea is the most common one. Well focus on that first.
Over time, the consistency of a dog’s poop will change if they have gastroenteritis. The poop will initially be soft and wet before becoming increasingly watery and possibly mucus-filled. Dogs may also struggle to go outside and have accidents inside the house.
The diarrhea is typically explosive, frequent, and in large amounts. Sometimes, the diarrhea will be bloody. A trip to the emergency hospital is necessary immediately if you have bloody diarrhea.
Additionally, occasionally vomiting is a symptom of gastroenteritis in dogs, particularly after eating. Because of the bile that the liver produces, the vomit may be yellow. Similar to diarrhea, bloody vomiting is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away.
Dehydration is particularly concerning in puppies and older dogs, who can quickly dehydrate due to fluid loss brought on by diarrhea.
Surprisingly, aside from the diarrhea, some dogs with gastroenteritis can seem fine. Dont be fooled, though. Gastroenteritis needs prompt diagnosis and treatment.
It’s important to understand the signs of AHDS because gastroenteritis can develop into it:
The microbiome of a dog’s digestive system is a collection of all the bacteria in the gut that aids in digestion. Anything that disrupts the normal gut microbiome can cause gastroenteritis.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits symptoms of gastroenteritis. And always remember to take your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible if they have bloody diarrhea or vomiting.
Since gastroenteritis is a diagnosis of exclusion, it must first be ruled out any other conditions that might be causing your dog’s symptoms. You and your veterinarian must conduct extensive research to rule out additional diseases.
Your veterinarian will question you on a number of topics, including those listed below, given the wide range of potential causes of gastroenteritis.
Your dog will also undergo a full physical examination from head to toe by your vet, who will pay close attention to your puppy’s abdomen and look for any signs of dehydration.
Then, in order to better understand what is going on, your veterinarian will perform a number of diagnostic procedures. These may include:
Stopping the diarrhea and vomiting, regaining hydration, and reestablishing the ideal balance of electrolytes are the primary treatment objectives for gastroenteritis. g. , sodium, potassium). Various medications are available to address these treatment goals:
Gastroenteritis can be treated at home. On the other hand, severe gastroenteritis necessitates hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy.
Proper nutrition is critical when treating gastroenteritis in dogs. Your veterinarian may advise depriving your dog of food for up to 48 hours in order to give his digestive system a rest. Once your dog stops throwing up, you can begin giving him small, frequent meals made up of bland foods. For dogs with gastroenteritis, a bland diet should include things like plain, boiled chicken.
Options for rehydrating your dog include giving him Gatorade or Pedialyte or adding an electrolyte supplement to his water. Which rehydration method is best for your dog can be advised by your vet.
Treatment for AHDS is aggressive. Unfortunately, AHDS is so severe that even after receiving aggressive treatment, dogs can still pass away from the condition.
Dogs frequently contract gastroenteritis, a condition that can be difficult to recognize and manage. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if your dog exhibits any symptoms of gastroenteritis so that their digestive health can be restored as soon as possible.
What is gastroenteritis?
Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and intestines, is referred to as gastroenteritis. It can be brought on by a bacterial, viral, parasitic, drug, or even new food infection. The condition frequently results in vomiting, diarrhea, and/or other clinical symptoms.
When to Take Your Dog to the Vet
Many dogs with gastroenteritis will appear surprisingly normal. They may show no signs other than a change in the quality, quantity, frequency or location of their stool. Dogs with HGE will have more obvious signs as mentioned above.
In all cases of diarrhea, especially in puppies, geriatric dogs, or small breed dogs at higher risk of dehydration, veterinary care should be taken into consideration because it can be difficult to predict whether a dog’s condition will progress dangerously. If your dog displays symptoms of vomiting, nausea, blood, pain, or lethargic behavior, immediate veterinary care is required.
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a fairly common condition and will usually display as diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting too. Find out all you need to know about what causes it, the most common symptoms and the current veterinary treatments available.
There’s a possibility that your dog’s recent bout of diarrhea and possibly vomiting was caused by dog gastroenteritis. This is a fairly common condition that typically appears after consuming something unpleasant, but fortunately with the proper care, it usually goes away fairly quickly.
We at Purina have put together this guide to provide you with all the information you need to understand canine gastroenteritis, including the most frequent causes and available treatments.
Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) is a symptom of canine gastroenteritis. It will typically manifest as diarrhoea, either with or without vomiting, though this is much less common. There are two types of gastroenteritis: chronic (lasting longer than two weeks) and acute (lasting less than two weeks, which typically resolves on its own over time but may get worse over time).
There can be many causes of gastroenteritis in dogs, including:
Blood in your dog’s poop or vomit could indicate a condition called canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Most frequently, it will have a consistency similar to raspberry jam in your dog’s stool, and there may also be blood clots near the dog’s rectus. Since hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is much more serious, immediate veterinary care will be needed.
Gastroenteritis can usually be quickly diagnosed by a veterinary professional. Your pet’s veterinarian will give them a thorough examination, go over their medical history, and probably ask you about their eating and behavioral patterns over the previous few days. If your dog has consumed anything unusual or if new foods have been added to their diet, they will want to know.
What caused the gastroenteritis will typically determine the course of treatment. Medication may be prescribed to stop the vomiting and/or diarrhea if the cause is related to ingesting unsavory items. This might be suggested in addition to a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice or a prescription diet that can be obtained from your veterinarian and is designed specifically to treat intestinal problems like gastroenteritis.
Read this article to learn more if you’re interested in feeding your dog a blander diet that includes rice.
Fortunately, gastroenteritis in dogs can be successfully treated and resolved in a few days to a week. Take them back to the veterinarian as soon as you can, though, for additional treatment if it doesn’t appear to be getting worse or you notice blood in their stool.
In order to check for foreign objects or disease, your veterinarian may perform X-rays and blood tests if they suspect your dog has hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Your dog may also require fluids administered via an intravenous drip.
Although the long-term prevention of gastroenteritis in dogs can be challenging, particularly if you don’t know what initially caused it, there are a number of things you can do to lower the likelihood that it will recur in the future.
If your dog enjoys scavenging, make an effort to prevent it while they’re out for walks. If they tend to run off for a quiet snack when they’re off the lead, it might be challenging to control them, but if you think that’s the problem, it might be best to keep them on the lead to prevent it.
FAQ
What are the symptoms of a stomach virus in a dog?
The majority of canines with gastroenteritis will experience intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. Foamy, yellowish bile may be present in the vomit, especially after the stomach has been emptied. After their dog eats or drinks, many owners notice dry heaving or gagging.
How do you treat a puppy with a stomach virus?
- Plain, canned pumpkin.
- Oatmeal.
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Bananas.
How long does a stomach bug last in dogs?
Your dog’s stomach virus should go away with the right care within three to seven days. Consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist for more than two weeks by calling them. Review Gastroenteritis in Dogs for more information on the signs that your dog may be experiencing and for guidance from our on-staff veterinarian.