Dogs and cats experience digestive problems and intestinal issues similar to humans. This disease results in discomfort and other problems in their stomach and intestines. Continue reading to learn more about the signs and underlying causes of chronic and sudden gastrointestinal problems and the treatments your vet might suggest to make them feel better.
Types of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Dogs
There are several types of gastrointestinal conditions, but your vet might do examinations to identify the real reason for your pet’s condition. Commonly diagnosed problems include the following:
Colitis
Colitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the colon’s lining membrane. The most typical causes of it include parasitic whipworms, polyps, tumors, changes in diet, food allergies, foreign objects ingested, and a few other disorders. Dogs under the age of five are more likely to develop colitis, which involves inflammation of the large intestine and leads to constant, uncomfortable excrement flow. Feces may contain blood and mucus.
If you think your furry friend has colitis, you should get your dog checked out by a vet right away. After determining the underlying cause, your veterinarian will suggest a simple diet, worming treatment, or anti-inflammatory probiotics.
Constipation
Constipation is dry, irregular bowel movements. This is a typical problem in dogs. Many factors add to this, including lack of exercise, dehydration, eating indigestible items like bones or other foreign objects, and consuming low-fiber foods. Some frail animals display lethargy, depression, appetite loss, vomiting, and stomach pain.
It’s crucial to monitor your pet’s regular bowel movements. Make an appointment with a dog internist immediately to determine the cause of your animal companion showing signs of discomfort or vomiting.
Gastritis
Gastritis is recognized as stomach lining inflammation. It can occur as a brief episode (acute) or last long (chronic), and more serious conditions may cause it. Clinical signs of gastritis include nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite (anorexia).
Consult your veterinarian if your furry friend is experiencing frequent vomiting. Diagnostic testing for gastritis might include endoscopy, abdominal x-rays, blood, urine, and fecal tests. If your dog has chronic gastritis, more testing will be done to determine the underlying cause.
Parvovirus
All dogs are prone to this extremely infectious disease; however, puppies under four months old and unvaccinated dogs are particularly at risk. Some dogs might show lethargy, a lack of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, a high or low body temperature, vomiting, and watery, bloody diarrhea, which are common signs of parvovirus.
Because parvovirus is highly contagious, isolating affected animals is vital to prevent infection from spreading. The virus is immune to common disinfectants; therefore, you should talk to professional vets like the animal hospital in Crystal Lake for suggestions.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Dogs who struggle with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) experience vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Some dogs might display symptoms like lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, or stomach pain. Most dogs who get this illness show no symptoms beforehand.
If your dog displays signs of HGE, visit the veterinary emergency as soon as possible. The vet may do additional diagnostic tests, including fecal testing and X-rays, to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms.
Bottom Line
Generally speaking, gastrointestinal conditions can be handled and treated by your vet. You can determine what’s disturbing your dog and fix it with their assistance. Chronic illness can be treated with few risks or disruptions to your pet’s regular life. As long as owners follow the veterinarian’s recommendations and stay up to date with treatment, their pets will live a normal life despite their conditions.
