You can often hear from veterinarians that the diseases in animals are the same as in humans, and they also need to be treated. And it’s true - dogs can suffer from the same pathologies as humans.
Colitis is considered a serious disease of tetrapods, which is characterized by the inflammatory process of the digestive system, in particular, the walls of two intestines - large and straight. And many owners really seek to help their pet so that it is healthy and that it does not hurt anything. But how to cure colitis? Modern medicine will come to the rescue.
Inflammatory causes
The causes of colitis in a dog can be different. Veterinarians have created a special classification, according to which they look what became the causative agent. The course of the disease will depend on this.
Often the causes of colitis are inflammatory processes in the intestine. In this case, the disease takes different forms:
- Lymphocytic-plasmacytic. This form has not yet been fully studied by specialists, therefore, animals that become ill with it, unfortunately, do not live long. It is characterized by the appearance in the body of a pathological reaction of the immune system. Also, after some time, the number of plasma cells and some blood components, in particular, lymphocytes, increases in the mucous membrane.
- Histiocytic. This form is more often observed in such dog breeds as a boxer, bulldog and others - of a strong physique. Experts have noticed that this process is more of an autoimmune origin, however, it still carries inflammation after itself.
- Granulomatous. A clear example of the fact that animal diseases are very similar to human pathologies. Colitis granulomatous form in its symptoms is very similar to Crohn's disease. Pathology is characterized by an inflammatory process, the cause of which is the appearance of foreign cells in the body, namely, in the walls of the large intestine.
- Eosinophilic form. The cause of the inflammatory process of the walls of the colon and rectum is an increase in the body of eosinophils. They are formed as a response to a parasitic lesion, and can also speak of an animal allergy.
Infectious causes of the onset of the disease
In this case, specialists diagnose that colitis in the dog arose due to the penetration of infectious agents. This means that the disease was caused by the ingestion of various foreign substances, in particular, pathogenic cells, which are trying to rebuild the digestive system. But since the dog’s immunity is resisted, the animal is in pain, the walls of the organs are destroyed. Among these microorganisms:
- Bacteria. Most often, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and others are found that have at least some effect on the digestive system.
- Viruses. Coronaviruses and parvoviruses are more common in dogs.
- Mushrooms. The fungus begins to gradually corrode the body from the inside, bringing the animal severe pain. If such cells (in dogs they cause histoplasmosis) enter the digestive system, they immediately attach to the walls of the organs and destroy their membranes. As a result, the animal ceases to eat and soon dies.
- Parasites. For dogs, all nematode worms are terrible, the defeat of which leads to colitis.
- The simplest. Among the simplest organisms that cause harm to the animal, there are amoeba, giardia, Trichomonas, balantidia.
It is very important to monitor the nutrition of your pet. After all, it is with food that foreign substances get into the body, causing colitis and any other diseases. So, you need to make a list of proper nutrition, which will not contain any digestive supplements, will not cause too many proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Everything should be in moderation.
Forms of the disease
Specialists distinguish several types of colitis in dogs:
- Fibrinous - the initial stage of necrosis, characterized by the formation of fibrin filaments on the mucous membranes.
- Ulcerative - the formation of a large number of ulcers. May lead to cancer.
- Catarrhal - the digestive tract turns red, bloating appears. More often this is the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by superficial damage to the mucosa.
- Idiopathic is a genetic pathology.
- The necrotic type of colitis is already the death of cells.
- Hemorrhagic colitis in a dog - a large amount of blood is present in the feces.
Symptoms and manifestations of the disease
The main sign, after which you already need to go to the veterinarian, is the appearance of bloody impurities in the feces, as well as a constant upset stomach. Periodic diarrhea is the leading symptom of spastic colitis in a dog.
Many dogs also begin to whine, because the disease is accompanied by great pain for the animal itself. In addition, the body of the dog becomes like a stone, because absolutely all the muscles of the abdomen come into tension to minimize pain. Other symptoms of colitis also appear:
- the appearance of belching, both short and long;
- a gray coating on the tip of the tongue if the initial stage, and on everything if the disease progresses;
- constant rumbling and lack of hunger;
- the appearance of bad breath (although the smell from the oral cavity is already quite unpleasant, with colitis it is much worse);
- vomiting
- the appearance of bloating and gas evolution from the body;
- heart palpitations (tachycardia);
- noticeable weight loss of the animal;
- the dog refuses the usual and even favorite food, but always chews grass during walks.
In the chronic form, the symptoms do not appear so clearly, but it is simply impossible not to pay attention to them.
It's important to know!
It is not recommended to treat the dog yourself. If bowel colitis is suspected in a dog, symptoms and treatment should only be determined by a qualified veterinarian. Indeed, due to improper selection of medications, the animal may die from poisoning. It is also worth remembering that colitis can hide a more serious disease, for example, inflammation and swelling of the colon or intestine, and an experienced doctor will immediately notice it.
Also, you do not need to drag out with a trip to the doctor, because during this period of time the disease can progress and capture a larger area, if not transferred to another organ. In addition, a pathology begins to appear in the intestines - flaws, holes and other deformations that cause significant harm to the body.
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment depends entirely on the nature of the colitis. Therefore, it is very important to consult a veterinarian so that he accurately tells the location of the disease. So, if in the feces there are blood or any other substances that should not be, then this means that colitis was localized in the large intestine.
If blotches are not present, then the doctor finds a place by palpation, and a little blood and urine are taken from the animal for analysis. All these methods give an exhaustive result for making a diagnosis. However, the cause of the pathology cannot be established.
It is necessary to send the animal for delivery of feces. From them you can see whether parasites and fungi are present in the body. By bacterial inoculation, you can see the microorganism that became the causative agent of colitis of an infectious nature. Only on the basis of all this, it is possible to prescribe special drugs, in particular antibacterial ones, which will stop the development of the disease.
X-ray and ultrasound
By X-ray and abdominal ultrasound, you can see a number of the following disorders in the body:
- volvulus;
- the presence of foreign substances in the digestive system, in particular, in the walls of the large intestine;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- fecal excretion problems;
- body tightening and muscle tension.
You also need to pay attention to whether the animal has emissions of gases and other substances or not, because through examinations this can not be seen. To find out, you need the owner of the dog to watch her, especially while walking.
Colonoscopy
If during the studies at least some deviation from the norm was found, then a colonoscopy is performed. The essence of this analysis is that by taking a laxative, the intestines are emptied as much as possible, and a probe with a camera is inserted into the anus through which they look at the state of the digestive system, in particular, the large intestine.
Special probes can also be introduced, which also make it possible to collect material for additional analyzes, which will give more information.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the nature of the pathology. If acute dog pricks, then doctors prescribe a two-day fasting, during which the dog gets rid of diarrhea and possible overeating.
Next, a special diet is prescribed, during which the animal fills its body with nutrients, thereby gaining weight lost due to the disease. It is important that the dog does not eat anything greasy or fried during meals. It is better to diversify the diet with vegetable oils - they will help accelerate the healing process of affected organ membranes. It is recommended to boil animal chicken, turkey meat and rabbit meat.
It is forbidden to buy a variety of food at this time for the dog, because due to their adoption the condition of the body may worsen. This is due to the fact that they contain a lot of chemical elements, digestive additives and dyes. And during the diet they are forbidden to take.
If the dog has chronic colitis, then the animal is given enemas. It is difficult to cure an animal if the dog has ulcerative colitis. This is due to the fact that many drugs are simply useless, and the only one that really helps is Enrofloxacin. This is a very rare medicine and is not sold in all pharmacies.
Balanced diet
Treating colitis in a dog at home includes following a special diet. It is prescribed after the elimination of inflammation and exacerbation of the disease. According to the diet, the dog must eat medicinal feed. If this approach of the owner is not satisfied, he cooks a variety of cereals and mixes them with oils. That is, the dog’s body replenishes with the same substances that are contained in feed, only natural food.
Forecasts
If the cause of colitis in the dog is identified in a timely manner and appropriate treatment is prescribed, then the prognosis for recovery is favorable. The pet will completely get rid of the disease. Proper dog care and regular visits to the veterinarian will reduce the risk of developing colitis.