In a similar vein to humans, dogs can also suffer from gastritis. This illness occurs when the stomach lining becomes inflamed and irritated. It is a fairly common condition in dogs and can appear suddenly; it's classified as chronic or acute gastritis. While gastritis in dogs is not fatal, it is necessary to take some measures to prevent this illness from developing, and to ensure that your dog has quality food.
Stay here at OneHowTo to learn what are the symptoms of gastritis in dogs.
Causes of gastritis in dogs
To find out the causes of gastritis in dogs, it is important to first take into account the different types of gastritis:
Acute gastritis is common when your dog eats decomposing food or toxic or poisonous substances. It also happens when it eats things that its body can't digest, like pieces of plastic or fabric. Acute gastritis can also be caused by internal parasites, viral or bacterial infections or diseases affecting other organs.
Chronic gastritis is a complication of acute gastritis caused by progressive damage to the stomach lining and bacterial flora. This occurs because some food may have remained in its stomach without passing through the digestive tract, causing inflammation.
Other causes of gastritis in dogs are:
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Distemper
- Food allergies
- Parvovirus
- Excessive eating
- Consuming fertilizers and pesticides
- Liver or kidney diseases
- Cancer
The only risk factor regarding gastritis in dogs applies to stray dogs, or dogs who have accidentally eaten decomposed food. This can include food from rubbish bins, or eating other animal feces - make sure you watch what your dog is eating.
Symptoms of gastritis in dogs
The most common symptoms of gastritis in dogs are abdominal bloating and vomiting. However, the symptoms of gastritis in dogs can be varied:
- Constant vomiting, especially if it is chronic gastritis. This is usually yellow or blood-colored.
- Abdominal pain with varying degrees of intensity
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Lethargy and constant drooling
- Yellow or pale mucus
Treatment for gastritis in dogs
The first thing you should do when you notice symptoms of gastritis in your dog is to take it to the vet. This will ensure a proper diagnosis, which will take into account your pet's medical history and dietary habits. Once the disease is diagnosed, the next steps to treat gastritis in dogs will be:
- Don't give your dog food for the next 12 hours, or until it stops vomiting.
- Limit its water intake, as this may make it vomit.
- The vet will recommend that you give it small, constant portions of food for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
- If necessary, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or medications to stop vomiting.
- If the cause of gastritis is the consumption of objects that the dog can't digest, the solution will be to remove it through surgery.
The prognosis for gastritis is usually quite favorable, depending on the time of diagnosis and the treatment. However, the prognosis is not as favorable when the gastritis occurs due to cancer.
How to prevent gastritis in dogs
Here are some tips for preventing gastritis in dogs:
- Don't feed your dog too much. Give it carefully-measured portions.
- Don't give it leftovers. Teach it to only eat its own food.
- Stop your dog from taking food from the bin.
- Keep out of your dog's reach any substance or medication that can be toxic for it.
If you want to read similar articles to What are the Symptoms of Gastritis in Dogs, we recommend you visit our Pets category.