Gastritis in a dog is similar in clinical features to other gastrointestinal diseases. It is for this reason that self-medication is unacceptable, since you can harm your pet. The disease itself will not go away, but in a neglected state it will quickly take a chronic form.
What is gastritis? Forms of the disease
Inflammation and irritation of the gastric mucosa is called gastritis. There are several forms of the disease:
- gastritis caused by Helicobacter bacteria - after infection, the disease enters into an acute and then chronic form;
- eosinophilic - in the mucous membrane of the stomach eosinophils accumulate, which produce substances that destroy neighboring tissues;
- atrophic is a chronic form; with it, the gastric glands are reduced, the mucous membrane is thinning, the production of gastric juice is significantly reduced;
- acute - can be both an independent and a secondary disease;
- chronic - usually asymptomatic, but exacerbations occur periodically.
In veterinary medicine, erosive gastritis in a dog is also described. Symptoms of this disease are characterized by severe pain, vomiting, the appearance of numerous erosions on the mucous membrane of the stomach. If a person is caused by alcohol and smoking, then the causes of his development in dogs have not yet been identified. Many scientists are increasingly inclined to believe that one of the causes of the onset of the disease is stress. In addition, poisoning with poor-quality feed and drugs can lead to its development.
Gastritis in dogs: causes of the disease
They may be different. With an attack of Helicobacter bacteria, pathogenic propagation of this infection begins.
The eosinophilic form may result from feeding the dog foods that contain a lot of artificial ingredients. In addition, this form of gastritis can be caused by helminths, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, systemic mastocytosis, eosinophilic granuloma.
The atrophic form is caused by autoimmune processes. Retrievers and fox terriers are predisposed to it.
There are several causes of acute gastritis in dogs: helminths, bacteria, medications, poisoning with toxic substances, and poor-quality food.
When urine exit from the body is complicated for some reason, and sometimes even impossible (diseases of the ureter or urethra), the decay products are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause severe intoxication. The consequence of this process can be numerous pathologies, among which gastritis is one of the easiest.
The chronic form of the disease develops due to the constant presence of factors that lead to acute gastritis. Often it is a secondary disease that develops against the background of many serious ailments of the central nervous system, kidneys and others.
Gastritis in a dog: symptoms
Veterinarians claim that the symptoms of this disease are very similar to signs of other pathologies of the digestive system (for example, ulcers, enteritis, including viral etiology, hepatitis, helminths, etc.). Without additional research, even a very experienced specialist will not always be able to make a diagnosis. Especially when you consider that gastritis may not be the main disease, but a sign of another.
How is gastritis manifested in a dog? Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- vomiting
- diarrhea if acidity is low in the stomach;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite;
- apathy, lethargy, loss of activity (the dog sleeps more than usual, restricts his movements, assumes one position of the body, which he changes with reluctance);
- abdominal pain, which are established when palpating the stomach.
Signs of gastritis in a dog can also be manifested by the fact that at home the dog often whines, licks his stomach, trying to attract the attention of the owners. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your pet - do not waste time and go to the veterinary clinic.
Diagnostics
Treatment of gastritis in dogs begins after an accurate diagnosis in a veterinary clinic. Here the four-legged patient will undergo fluoroscopy, ultrasound. In some cases, a biopsy is indicated. Based on the results of these studies, the veterinarian will determine the type of gastritis and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Gastritis treatment
Treatment of gastritis in dogs in any form requires the urgent intervention of a veterinarian. With the acute form, it is somewhat simpler - they begin treatment immediately. In the chronic form, the doctor’s actions are aimed at exacerbating the inflammatory process, no matter how strange it sounds.
The fact is that this is required in order to facilitate and accelerate the healing of the animal. Otherwise, the disease, which has become chronic, will periodically worsen and subside, and the dog will constantly experience pain.
Fasting days
Treatment of the animal begins with a hungry diet, which lasts for a day. At this time, the dog is only allowed to drink water without restriction. Warn "caring" households who will try to sneak their sick pet about the ban on eating, and do not give in to provocation yourself. The dog will beg for food. But the owners should understand that a hungry diet is not a doctor’s whim, but an urgent need, without which it is impossible to cure gastritis in a dog.
Special preparations
Special medicines for treating gastritis in a dog are prescribed only by a doctor. It is necessary to strictly observe the indicated dosage.
Almagel A
The animal is prescribed drugs that protect the mucosa, creating a special layer that helps prevent even more irritation of the mucous membrane with gastric juice. Inflamed tissue is restored faster and easier with the use of drugs "Almagel A", "Fosfalugel."
Antispasmodics, analgesics
These drugs are necessarily included in the course of therapy. They help speed up the healing process of the animal.
Antibiotics
Preparations of this group block the reproduction of secondary microflora, which, undoubtedly, complicates the course of the disease. It is strictly forbidden to use them without a doctor’s prescription. Only a specialist can decide whether his patient needs such drugs or not.
Antiemetics
Often, gastritis in a dog accompanies vomiting, and sometimes it is indomitable. In this case, the animal is prescribed Cerucal and other drugs with an antiemetic effect. But if vomiting is caused by poisoning, then it helps to remove the toxin from the digestive tract. Therefore, the doctor also makes the decision to prescribe these drugs.
Intravenous infusion
Treatment of gastritis is impossible without droppers, especially if the dog has vomiting and severe diarrhea, exhaustion and dehydration. Depending on the severity and course of the disease, various solutions are prescribed.
Diet for gastritis
A prerequisite for successful treatment is diet. With gastritis in dogs, it is also an excellent prophylactic that prevents exacerbation of the disease.
How many times a day to feed a dog? The sick animal is fed in small portions five to six times a day, at certain hours. Exclude dry foods during this period, transfer your pet to natural products (the only exception is veterinary diets for dogs with sensitive digestion).
When to feed a dog - before or after a walk? This question worries many pet owners. Veterinarians recommend a healthy animal to feed after a walk. But what if gastritis is complicated by severe diarrhea? The answer to the question "When to feed a dog - before or after a walk?" will tell you the status of your pet. But, as a rule, until the diarrhea is eliminated, the animal is fed before walking.
Knowing how many times a day to feed a dog, the following rules must be observed:
- reduce the daily amount of food by 20-30%;
- steam food and wipe.
An animal with a chronic form of gastritis should be under the strict supervision of a veterinarian.
Acceptable products for the treatment of gastritis
- Hercules or rice. A decoction of these cereals is given in the first two days, then they are ground in a coffee grinder, and then boiled. You can cook the grits, and then grind through a sieve.
- Skim cheese. It is mixed with porridge. You can give cottage cheese without additives.
- Minced meat. Prepared from lean fresh meat and boiled. Give the dog with porridge. You can add boiled grated carrots.
Food for a dog with gastritis should be sparse. It is diluted either with a decoction of cereals, or lean meat broth. When your pet begins to recover and his well-being improves, the characteristic symptoms disappear, then the products can not be crushed.
If before the development of the disease you fed the dog dry food, then after recovery, when you switch to it, for some time you should give a special therapeutic composition.
Disease prevention
First of all, it is necessary to organize and maintain the diet of the animal. Your pet's diet should be balanced, include all the necessary vitamin and mineral complexes. Any defects can provoke the development of the disease.
Regularly deworm the dog and treat it against parasites. If you decide to feed the dog dry food, then you need to choose the brand of super-premium or premium. In their composition there are no dyes, preservatives, flavorings. They are made from natural products.
It is necessary to feed the animal at the same time. Serving sizes should not be excessive in order to prevent overeating. Comb the animal's hair regularly. This hygienic procedure will prevent the dog from filling up with hair.
Do not neglect regular preventive visits to the veterinarian. This will prevent many diseases, including gastritis.
To summarize
Dog digestion is a serious problem that pet owners often go to the clinic. Prevention of these diseases will protect your pet from serious health problems. If the dog is still ill, do not self-medicate. Modern veterinary medicine is able to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat gastritis in a dog.