Gastritis in dogs

Gastritis is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal conditions in dogs, it consists of inflammation of the gastric mucosa and can be acute (sudden and short-lived) or chronic (slow and persistent development).In any case, this disease is not usually fatal for dogs when treatment is followed adequate.

So that you can detect it in time and prevent the clinical picture of your dog from getting worse, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we detail the symptoms of gastritis in dogs , the most frequent causes that cause it, the treatment and prevention methods, among other data of interest.

Symptoms of canine gastritis

The main symptoms of gastritis in dogs include vomiting and abdominal pain, but other signs of the disease may also appear.The common symptoms of this disease in dogs are:

• Severe and persistent vomiting in chronic gastritis .They may have bile (yellow color), fresh blood (red to dark color) or digested blood (dark grains occur as coffee seeds).
• Sudden and frequent vomiting in acute gastritis .They may also have bile, fresh blood or digested blood.
• Abdominal pain that may Go from light to intense.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Diarrhea.
• Dehydration.
• Weakness.
• Letargo.
• Presence of blood in the stool.
• Mucous pales due to blood loss.
• Yellowish mucous membranes due to toxin intake.
• Drooling.

Causes and risk factors

The acute gastritis is almost always associated with the intake of harmful substances for the dog.It can happen because the dog eats food in a state of decomposition, ingests toxic substances (poisons, medicines for humans, etc.), a binge (common at parties), eats feces of other animals or eats non-digestible substances (plastics, fabrics, toys, etc.) Also happens by parasites internal, bacterial or viral infection, or diseases of other organs such as the kidneys and liver.

If not treated properly, the acute form of the disease can evolve into chronic gastritis .The latter is caused by the long-term damage of the gastric mucosa and the bacterial flora of the digestive tract.Some things ingested by the dog and that are not digestible can remain in the stomach without going through the entire digestive tract, causing irritation and inflammation.It is the case of plastics, pieces of carpets, leashes, paper, rubber toys and other items that are frequently ingested by dogs.

Other causes of chronic canine gastritis are diseases.Bacterial infections, viral infections, distemper, parvovirus, cancer , kidney problems, liver diseases and food allergies can cause gastritis in dogs.Also persistent chemicals in the environment, such as fertilizers and pesticides, can cause this form of the disease.

Gastritis affects dogs without differentiating breeds or sex, but there is a risk factor in the behavior of dogs and the irresponsible ownership of some owners.Dogs that eat from garbage, who roam freely in the streets and those who frequently eat feces from other animals , are more likely to suffer from gastritis.Dogs that eat grass frequently are also prone, mainly because of the presence of fertilizers and pesticides.

Diagnosis

The initial diagnosis is made based on the medical history and the symptoms presented by the dog.In addition, the veterinarian will want to know the animal's eating habits, if he takes food out of the garbage, if he chews furniture and clothes , if you have had access to places where poisons or medications are stored, such as your normal diet and if you have other diseases being treated.Also will physically examine the dog , observing inside the mouth and palpating the neck, the chest, belly and flanks.

The diagnosis of canine gastritis may require of blood tests to see if there are toxins or pathologies that have not been considered.Also, x-rays and ultrasound may be necessary to see if there is any foreign body inside the stomach.Chronic gastritis, the veterinarian may request a gastric mucosa biopsy.

Treatment for canine gastritis

The treatment of canine gastritis usually begins by removing the food from the animal for a certain period of time, which can range from 12 to 48 hours.In some cases the The veterinarian may also recommend limiting the amount of water without removing it completely.In addition, the veterinarian will recommend a proper diet that usually has to be given in small, frequent rations, until gastritis has healed.

When necessary, the veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics, corticosteroids, antiemetics (to avoid vomiting) or other medications that he considers appropriate for each case.If gastritis is caused by a foreign object in the stomach, the only solution is usually surgery.

Most cases of gastritis in dogs have a good prognosis after treatment; however, gastritis caused by cancer and other systemic diseases may have a less favorable prognosis.

Prevention of gastritis in dogs

As with most pathologies, the best treatment is always prevention.And to prevent canine gastritis , from Animals and Pets Online we recommend that you take into account the following tips:

• Prevent the dog from stealing food from the dump.
• Do not allow the dog to go out alone and roam the neighborhood.
• Prevent the dog from having access to toxic substances and medications.
• Do not overfeed.
• Do not feed leftovers (especially at parties) apart from your regular meal.
• Do not give meals that cause allergy.
• Keep up-to-date vaccinations of the puppy and the adult dog.

This article is merely informative, in Animals and Pets Online.We do not have the power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.

If you wish read more articles similar to Gastritis in dogs , we recommend that you enter our Intestinal Problems section.