One of the most common health problems in dogs is intestinal diseases. These can be in the form of inflammation.
One such is the Gastroenteritis in the dog. How can you recognize them and what are the causes and treatments?
You will find out in the following guide to gastroenteritis in dogs.
What is canine gastroenteritis?
If a dog suffers from gastroenteritis, there is one inflammatory gastrointestinal disease before. This is actually quite common in dogs.
It can come in two different forms:
- Acute gastroenteritis
- Chronic gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis occurs suddenly, while chronic gastroenteritis can recur at regular intervals.
There is also a third form of gastroenteritis in dogs, known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
What are the causes of gastroenteritis in dogs?
Gastroenteritis in dogs can be triggered by a variety of causes, the most common of which are Viruses, bacteria or even poisoning the trigger for the inflammation.
A dog can become infected with these pathogens or toxins in several ways.
Both the droppings of sick dogs and dirty water and spoiled food are sources of the pathogens mentioned, which can lead to gastroenteritis.
If there is an infestation with viruses that lead to gastroenteritis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is usually the result.
The viruses that trigger such gastrointestinal inflammation are mostly distemper viruses, corona viruses, parvoviruses and the calicivirus.
Furthermore, the following causes are also considered triggers of gastroenteritis in dogs:
- Genetic predisposition/hereditary disease
- Feed intolerances
- Disruption of the intestinal flora
- cancers
- foreign body
- ulcers
How to correctly identify gastroenteritis in dogs
Everything that has to do with the stomach and intestines has, to a certain extent, typical symptoms – including gastroenteritis in dogs, which you including vomiting recognise.
Other signs that this gastroenteritis may be present also include diarrhea (bloody, watery), loss of appetite and refusal to drink.
All these symptoms can indicate many diseases. Please do not hesitate to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible – especially not if it is in pain.
Also, please do not try to get the symptoms and/or pain under control on your own or even use veterinary medicine.
As well as this help is meant, in the worst case it can do more harm than good for your dog.
Treatment and therapy of gastroenteritis in dogs
A rapid treatment or therapy of gastroenteritis in dogs takes place after appropriate diagnosis usually in the form of medication.
diagnosis
Gastroenteritis in dogs can often be diagnosed by examining the feces. Because here you will find, among other things Viruses, bacteria and parasites.
A diagnosis based solely on the symptoms is unfortunately not possible, since diarrhea and vomiting can always have a variety of triggers.
Treatment
Gastroenteritis in dogs is treated with medication. Of course, these depend, among other things, on the trigger of the disease.
Are bacteria to blame for gastrointestinal inflammation? Antibiotics usually help here – if the bacteria are not yet resistant to the individual active ingredients.
Such antibiotic therapy is usually accompanied by anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs.
Depending on the severity of the stomach problems, it may also be the case that acid-regulating agents are administered to the dog.
What is the life expectancy of gastroenteritis in dogs?
If gastroenteritis is recognized and treated in time, it should no major impact on the life expectancy of the affected dog have.
As with many diseases, the same applies to gastroenteritis: it can shorten life expectancy, especially in young, old and immunocompromised dogs.
However, only the treating veterinarian can make a corresponding prognosis.
What is the right way to prevent gastroenteritis in dogs?
Proper prevention of gastroenteritis in dogs can be done by an intestinal cleansing, a change in feed or even a vaccination.
intestinal cleansing
An intestinal cleansing helps the dog, again a get healthy intestinal flora. As a rule, this means that a fur nose is less susceptible to diseases.
Here you can use probiotics, which in some cases contain live lactic acid bacteria.
Some home remedies are also suitable for intestinal cleansing of the dog – even if the dog has an intestinal inflammation.
Strengthening of the immune system
A good 70% of the canine immune system is dependent directly to the dog’s intestinal tract together.
If something is out of balance here, the body’s own defense system also suffers. The dog is more susceptible to diseases and can counteract them less.
Preventing gastroenteritis can therefore consist of strengthening your dog’s immune system, for example with Impromune for the dog.
vaccination
The viruses that can promote gastroenteritis include, among others distemper and parvoviruseswhich can be counteracted with a vaccination.
Accordingly, it makes sense to ensure comprehensive vaccination protection for the dog. At least two of the possible causes of gastroenteritis can be prevented in this way.
All-round protection against parasites
In addition to viruses can also Endoparasites put a strain on the dog’s stomach and intestines.
Appropriate prevention against these pests is therefore also a possible protection against gastroenteritis.
feed change
The dog’s stomach is sensitive and can be upset by the wrong food.
A gradual change of feed can prevent gastroenteritis here – because this can stomach and intestines recover and establish a healthy balance.
Good to know
Bland foods include soft-boiled rice and chicken, boiled potatoes, rolled oats, lactose-free cottage cheese, low-fat cottage cheese, and other low-fat, lactose-free dairy products.
Fruit should be avoided, with the exception of apples, which contain toxin-binding pectin.
hygiene
A high level of hygiene is an absolute must, especially with diseases and inflammations that affect the stomach and intestines of dogs.
Please make sure that both Wash out food and water bowls regularly with hot water to render bacteria and viruses harmless.
Of course, you should also make sure that your dog neither eats other people’s feces nor runs their paws through them.
In this way you can prevent the pathogens from coming into the house or being directly orally ingested by your furry friend.
Hide dangerous objects
Dogs love to eat – and don’t always stop at toys and the like.
There Foreign bodies also promote gastroenteritis you should keep anything that could find its way into your dog’s stomach out of reach.
In addition, with dogs that attack their toys particularly enthusiastically, it can make sense to carry out play units under close observation.
Has your dog ever had gastroenteritis? How did he survive? We’d love for you to share his/her story with us in the comments.