When you bring a puppy to the house, it is a great joy and responsibility. In fact, such an acquisition can be compared with the birth of a child. In developed countries, before you buy a dog, you will need to get a paid consultation with a dog handler who will find out how much time you are willing to devote to raising it, whether you have the opportunity to feed and treat the pet properly. The second point is the most critical. Veterinary services are very expensive today.
In addition, each owner receives basic information about the need for vaccination and the symptoms of the most formidable diseases. One of these is enteritis. In dogs, it is very difficult and often leads to the death of the animal. Therefore, the sooner you consult a doctor, the greater the chance of recovery.
General information
Each host cannot be a veterinarian. But recognizing an enteritis in a dog is not so difficult. The clinical picture is very bright. This is an infectious disease, or rather, a whole group that cause inflammation of the intestine. Almost all important organs are affected.
Vaccination is the only measure to protect your pet’s body. There is no pedigree predisposition; any animal can become ill. Therefore, if the breeder convinces that he has not been vaccinated, because these dogs are not sick, it is better to look for another. They are just trying to trick you. Most often, this ailment affects puppies and older dogs. But susceptibility to infection persists at any age.
Two forms of the disease
They can only be distinguished by an experienced veterinarian, and even then only if he has enough time. Most often, animals are brought to the clinic already in serious condition, since enteritis in dogs often develops rapidly. It also happens that both forms are diagnosed in animals at the same time, but this phenomenon is quite rare. In different cases, the symptoms can be either identical or diametrically opposite. So, what forms are we talking about?
- In 93% of cases, the disease is caused by parvovirus. Therefore, he bears the name accordingly. Treatment of parvovirus enteritis in dogs should begin as early as possible, as the disease quickly leads to dehydration and death. In 80% of cases, the disease occurs with intestinal damage. The animal becomes lethargic. Of course, there can be many reasons, but such a symptom should alert the owner. Heart form is observed in 20% of cases. The causative agent penetrates the myocardium and causes a malfunction of the heart and lungs.
- Coronovirus enteritis. In dogs in this case, the tops of the intestinal villi are affected . There is an acute form of the course of the disease in which the animal does not eat or drink, it has vomiting and diarrhea, and the stool is bright yellow. The mild form is accompanied by slight lethargy. In principle, you can do without treatment. A proper diet will allow the body to throw all its strength into the fight against the virus and defeat it.
How the disease develops and proceeds
Since he has a viral nature, infection requires contact with the carrier. The incubation period can last one day or a week. All this time the dog can walk on the site and communicate with other representatives of his family. Water and food can also become a source of infection. Viruses perfectly tolerate the effects of gastric juice. The period from infection to the onset of the first symptoms is not in vain called an incubation. During this time, viruses successfully invade the mucosa. Active propagation of pathogenic microflora begins, which entails the destruction of intestinal membrane cells.
All animals get sick. Of adults, half die. For puppies, this figure is even higher and is approximately 90%. At the first signs of an ailment, you need to contact a good clinic and begin effective treatment.
Symptoms
The heart form is not so common, and coronovirus enteritis rarely affects animals that were born in dogs with good immunity. Or passes in such a mild form that one can assume a banal intestinal upset. Most dangerous is parvovirus enteritis.
In dogs, it develops so rapidly that sometimes the owners do not even have time to do anything. Leaving for work, they note that the pet is not too active, and in the evening they catch an animal half dead from dehydration due to profuse vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of enteritis in dogs can occur and progress at lightning speed, in which case, most likely, you will lose your pet. But let's look at everything in order:
- At the very beginning of the disease, the animal refuses to play. During the day, diarrhea begins. Feces are liquid, yellow. The temperature can rise to 40 degrees or, conversely, drop to 19.5 ° C. Sometimes vomiting begins. Such symptoms are characteristic of coronovirus enteritis.
- On the second day, the skin loses its elasticity.
- With parvovirus enteritis on the first day of the disease, bowel movement occurs every 20-40 minutes. The feces are greenish and watery. Vomiting occurs every 30 minutes.
- Symptoms of enteritis in a dog will only progress. On the second day, vomiting and diarrhea are observed with an interval of one to two hours.
- Dyspnea begins.
- After 12 hours, the pet’s condition is rapidly deteriorating.
The owner must well understand that it is impossible to procrastinate now. If the city has a veterinary ambulance, you can call it. Otherwise, you will have to take the dog to the clinic yourself. It is best if you have a veterinarian who leads the pet from the very first treatment. In this case, he knows the entire vaccination schedule, health status and past illnesses. This is very important for quick diagnosis and the appointment of adequate treatment.
Physiological changes
Signs of enteritis in a dog are a consequence of the processes that are taking place now inside the body. You can’t try to act only on the symptoms, that is, block vomiting and diarrhea with the help of special tools like “Tserukal” and “Imodium”. Swelling of the stomach causes squeezing of the receptors, so vomiting will only increase.
But the main changes are occurring in the intestines. The intestines become inflamed, the mucous membranes are destroyed and come out in pieces along with feces. This is characteristic of parvovirus enteritis. Inflammation of the stomach leads to vomiting, intestines - to diarrhea. A large number of cells disintegrate, which causes the release of toxins. This disrupts the functioning of blood vessels. The dehydration of the body is also enhanced because the fluid moves into the cells of the intestine, which only activates the reflex of its emptying. Blood viscosity rises, and the heart begins to work with overload.
Immune response
Of course, the body is trying to fight. But viral enteritis in a dog that has not previously been vaccinated is too difficult. The body responds with the production of antibodies. For 5-6 days in the blood they accumulate enough to bind viruses. But most of the pathogens at this time are in the intestines and myocardium. Dehydration and lack of nutrition complete the picture. The disease develops faster than the body’s defenses. Without therapy, death occurs on days 2-5 or 7-12.
And today there are breeders who refuse to vaccinate puppies, arguing that vaccines are dangerous. But is it worth talking about how many dogs die if vaccination is ignored. Yes, there is a certain risk, but it is not so great.
Treatment
It begins with a visit to the doctor, examination and diagnosis. A very important point is the type and course of the disease. With a mild form of coronovirus enteritis, only puppies and weakened animals need treatment. They will be prescribed a special diet, antibiotics and immunostimulants, as well as vitamins. This diagnosis has the most favorable prognosis. Usually in a few days the pet will feel better, and the doctor will allow you to finish the course at home. By the way, many are interested in where dogs should be treated. Enteritis is insidious. But a lot depends on the clinical picture. In severe cases, it is best to leave the pet in the hospital, under round-the-clock supervision of a doctor.
The main directions in treatment
The course of viral enteritis in dogs can vary greatly. Despite this, in the treatment there are several areas that modern veterinarians adhere to.
- Destruction of viruses. This is achieved through sera that contain antibodies.
- Recovery of lost fluid. Even if you go to the clinic right away when symptoms appear, the dog can be dehydrated in a few hours. Not to mention if vomiting and diarrhea started at night, and the trip was delayed in the morning.
- Removal of toxins from the body.
- Maintaining immunity.
- Restoration of the stomach and intestines, heart.
Each of these areas is one of the components of the overall effective scheme. For this reason, only a competent doctor should deal with the appointment of a course.
Features of therapy for intestinal form of parvovirus enteritis
In general, therapy has something in common with the treatment of the acute form of coronavirus. Let's look at the main events:
- In the first three days, doctors actively use immunoglobulin and hyperimmune sera.
- To avoid dehydration, a 5% glucose and Reopoliglukin solution is used.
- Immunostimulants - Cycloferon, Fosprenil, are prescribed, up to the extinction of enteritis symptoms. Dog treatment should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor, the name of the drug is for information only.
- If serious bowel damage is evident, then antibiotics are required. This is required to suppress secondary microflora.
- Drugs to support the heart - Mildronate, Sulfocamphocaine.
Additionally, the doctor selects an individual diet. Since it will take a long time to treat enteritis in a dog, a scheme for visiting the clinic is being developed. Perhaps it will be more convenient to leave the pet in day care. And at home, the doctor writes the procedures for every day.
Features of treatment for heart form
It is less common, and it is not always possible to diagnose the disease correctly at the initial stage, which affects the effectiveness of therapy. Do not forget that the treatment of enteritis in dogs at home, without constant monitoring and doctor's prescriptions, very rarely leads to positive results. Most likely, your pet will die.
With a heart form, rapid intravenous administration of solutions is dangerous. Long, slow infusions are recommended. Until the round-the-clock introduction. The rest of the treatment will repeat the above. But there are some differences. If the dog has been ill with this form of the disease, it needs lifelong supportive care.
Traditional treatment
Based on the above, you can understand how serious this ailment is and how unpleasant the symptoms accompanying enteritis are. Treatment of dogs at home, without special training and knowledge, in most cases leads to the death of the animal. Do not resort to the advice of friends and give your dog vodka. She will not recover from this, but you will deliver a tangible blow to the liver and intestines, which need protection.
Even with adequate therapy, the chance of animal death is high. And in case of delay or incorrect actions, the probability of a pet's survival is sharply reduced. Treatment with alternative methods is allowed only with a mild course of the disease and after consultation with a veterinarian.
Memo to the owner
Even before the first symptoms appear, the dog refuses food. You can’t force feed an animal. If the pet has a mild form of appetite, then this should be diet food. It is best not to give anything but water without consulting a veterinarian.
After the crisis has passed, food should be introduced very carefully. The intestine is now a continuous wound. Coarse, fatty foods will cause severe pain and will not be absorbed. As a result, you will be thrown back in your treatment, and you will have to contact your veterinarian again for help. After enteritis, the intestines recover for a long time. The dog may continue to vilify. Therefore, we need a competent program to restore the body, the constant use of probiotics.
Diet
When your pet shows interest in food, you should offer him a light broth. It can be chicken or beef. Better if he will be second cooking. Now it is very important to provide sparing nutrition and not overfeed the dog, even if she asks for supplements. The intestines are still too weak to experience a new shock.
Boiled rice porridge on the water will also be useful. It envelops the intestines and stimulates the growth of a new protective layer. After two days, you can give chopped meat, and then cottage cheese and kefir. All food should be fresh and warm. Increase the number of servings gradually. After about 2-3 weeks, you can return to your normal diet.
Effects
Even the mild course of the disease does not mean that the body will fully recover. A full range of treatment measures also does not guarantee the absence of consequences. Consider only the most common complications, which the attending physician will definitely warn about:
- Lameness. It can be temporary or will remain for life.
- An ill puppy will not be able to catch up with his peers. He will forever lag behind in growth and development.
- About two weeks after recovery, polyps may begin to form in the oral cavity. They need to be deleted.
- Bitches often remain barren.
- Heart failure most often remains for life.
Prevention
Terrible and serious illness can be prevented in only one way. This is a vaccination. Good nutrition and optimal conditions, timely walks - none of the above guarantees even minimal protection against the virus. The dog’s immunity is not able to cope with it.
Puppies need to be vaccinated starting from 3-4 months of age. Before that, it is not recommended to take the pet to a walking platform, where there are other animals. Experienced dog breeders say that during this period you need to wash floors more often. After visiting the street, take off your shoes and wash your hands with soap. Today in veterinary clinics a wide selection of imported vaccines of good quality is presented. There are not many complications from vaccinations. The likelihood of their development is much less than the danger of getting enteritis. An adult dog needs to be vaccinated every year, as the immune response weakens.