Gastritis in dogs is a disease that causes a lot of discomfort and health consequences. Therefore, recognizing that something is wrong with your pet early is important to prevent the disease from developing into more serious conditions.
The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat. Since gastritis in dogs can appear silently, it is important to be aware of the signs in order to combat it in the best way possible. Learn more about this subject in the following text!
What is gastritis in dogs?
Relatively common in veterinary practice, gastritis in dogs consists of inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The severity depends on the degree of inflammation, the time the disease has been developing and the depth of the lesions in the stomach wall.
What are the causes of gastritis in dogs?
Canine gastritis can have a primary origin (some change in the stomach itself causes the pet to develop the disease) or secondary origin. In this case, another disease causes inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Furthermore, gastritis can be classified as acute or chronic. The first is sudden and can be caused by factors that harm the stomach. It can arise from the ingestion of toxic substances or foreign bodies, the presence of parasites, or even as a consequence of viral or bacterial infections.
Chronic gastritis is recurrent. In this case, the dog with gastritis may eat kibble or other food and present food intolerance or conditions that increase the amount of gastric secretions, triggering inflammation. Among these, it is possible to mention liver and kidney diseases.
Main symptoms of gastritis in dogs
The symptoms of gastritis in dogs are very subtle. That is why they are sometimes imperceptible. Only a veterinarian can make a correct diagnosis. In addition, they can recognize chronic or acute gastritis.
Many of the symptoms of the disease are nonspecific. This means that they are common to other health problems, making diagnosis difficult. In any case, be alert if your pet shows any of these signs:
- abdominal pain;
- Nausea;
- sialorrhea (excessive salivation);
- constant vomiting with or without bleeding;
- fever ;
- prostration;
- lack of appetite;
- abdominal rigidity.
How is gastritis diagnosed in dogs?
If you notice that your pet is showing the above signs, consult your veterinarian for a correct diagnosis. Once the cause is known, the professional will tell you what to do with your dog’s gastritis .
The veterinarian will collect all the information about the pet’s health and perform a clinical test. This evaluation analyzes whether the pet has abdominal pain upon palpation, increased temperature, dehydration, among other symptoms. This helps determine the appropriate tests for a diagnostic conclusion.
These tests usually consist of ultrasound to check the stomach and other organs in the abdominal cavity. In chronic cases, endoscopy may usually be indicated.
It is also very important to perform a blood test to rule out bacterial or viral diseases, as well as to assess whether liver and kidney function are adequate. With all this information, the professional will be able to prescribe a medicine for gastritis in dogs that is suitable for your pet.
Is there a treatment for gastritis in dogs?
Yes, gastritis in dogs can be cured ! The main objective of treatment is to protect the stomach against acidity, since the walls of the organ become damaged.
Gastric protective medications can be used to reduce acidity, medications to restore the stomach wall or even some drugs to control vomiting episodes.
If gastritis has been triggered by secondary factors, the initial illness also needs to be treated at the same time for the furry one to fully recover. In severe cases, with intense vomiting, lack of appetite and dehydration, hospitalization is recommended.
How to prevent gastritis in dogs?
Canine gastritis is a disease that needs to be taken seriously. Even animals that present a mild case can develop more severe conditions depending on their health condition.
To prevent your pet from suffering from gastritis, it is important to maintain healthy habits, provide a balanced diet and do daily physical activities. Avoid giving treats of unknown origin and those with high fat, sodium and smoked content.
Also, take your pet to the vet regularly, even if there are no changes, for a check-up. Detecting other diseases early can prevent canine gastritis.