Gastroenteritis is a symptom or clinical sign, rather than a specific disease. It means ‘inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract’. It usually causes vomiting and diarrhoea, which can vary in severity from mild to aggressive. If there is blood in your dog’s vomit or poo, then your dog could have haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This is a very serious condition, which requires immediate care and intervention from your vet. In mild cases your dog will recover quickly within 24 to 48 hrs, however, gastroenteritis can be dangerous, so it is important to monitor and care for your dog closely if he is unwell.
What is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?
Gastroenteritis happens when the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. This then causes vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as tenderness around the belly. Your dog will often be lethargic if they are unwell. While gastroenteritis can range in severity, in its most severe form it can be dangerous, so it is important to monitor your dog’s symptoms, to ensure that they are not getting worse.
Is Gastroenteritis Painful For Dogs?
Gastroenteritis is painful for dogs. It can vary in its intensity, and a dog that has mild gastroenteritis, may simply be sick a few times and then be back to normal, whereas a dog with severe gastroenteritis can be repeatedly sick, and have bad diarrhoea, which can be extremely painful.
Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs Contagious?
Gastroenteritis can be contagious, as it can be passed through saliva, vomit, or faeces. If your dog is displaying signs of gastroenteritis, make sure you keep him separate from any other dogs that you have. You should not be taking your dog out in public if he has gastroenteritis, as you could cause harm to other dogs, and your dog should be resting at home under your care if unwell.
Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs Serious?
Gastroenteritis varies in severity. A mild case of gastroenteritis is unpleasant for your dog but should pass through quickly, leaving your dog feeling better quickly. However, severe gastroenteritis or haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is an extremely serious condition that requires emergency intervention, so always seek veterinary advice. Dogs that are old or young, or have other health conditions will be more at risk from the effects of gastroenteritis. A healthy dog may shrug off the effects of mild gastroenteritis quickly, whereas another dog, may be very ill. Always monitor your dog, and if you have any concerns contact your vet for advice immediately.
How Long Does Gastroenteritis Last in Dogs?
Gastroenteritis can last anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, depending on the severity and the cause. If the gastroenteritis is caused by food, then your dog will usually get rid of the food by vomiting it up and can be better very quickly. If the gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, it could last for a week or even longer.
Types of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
There are two main types of gastroenteritis, the standard type and then the more severe type when large quantities of blood are seen in the vomit or faeces, which is known as haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Causes
Gastroenteritis can be caused by a variety of different factors. Dogs are notorious scavengers and can be prone to eating bad or spoiled food, other dogs may be very sensitive to changes to their diet and may react badly to new foods. Toxins can cause problems, dogs may ingest garden products or household cleaning products. Always try and choose dog-friendly products for the garden (check the advice label), and take care of your pet by keeping all potential toxins safely out of reach of your dog. Viruses such as parvovirus can cause severe gastroenteritis, and underlying health conditions such as liver or kidney disease may also cause the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea. Your dog may have a tender belly, with gurgling noises, and your dog may be lethargic as well. If there are blood clots in your dog’s vomit or faeces, then this is a symptom of the more serious haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and you must seek advice from your vet.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your vet will take a detailed history from you. Bringing a sample of your dog’s faeces can be useful, as this can be tested. Your vet will examine your dog, feeling for a distended and tender stomach. If your vet suspects haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, then they may advise blood tests and an x-ray. The treatment will centre around reducing the symptoms. Dogs that have repeatedly vomited, and aren’t drinking can rapidly become dehydrated. Your vet can prescribe medications to stop the vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, your dog may need an intravenous drip to replenish fluids and electrolytes. Your vet will give advice on how best to care for your pet during this recovery period.
Prognosis
Many dogs will experience mild gastroenteritis during their lives and will be back to normal within a couple of days. However severe gastroenteritis or haemorrhagic gastroenteritis can make your dog extremely unwell, and it may take them some time to recover fully. Gastroenteritis can be caused by a virus, and viruses can be difficult to shift, however, with dedicated care from you and advice and medications from your vet, your pet will recover from a severe case of gastroenteritis.
Prevention
Prevention is always better than cure, and taking good care of your pet will help to reduce the chances of them getting ill. Be aware of what your dog is eating, some dogs are terrible scavengers and will eat all manner of things that they shouldn’t often making themselves very ill in the process. Feed your dog good quality pet food, ask for advice if you are unsure of the best food for your pet, and make sure everything used for their food is kept clean. Keep your pet up to date on vaccinations, and try to ensure that they are in good health, as a healthy dog will cope better with being unwell.
Anrich Vets Are Here For You!
Here at Anrich Vets, we understand what your dogs mean to you. We are committed to providing exceptional care to the animals that we treat, and our state-of-the-art facilities give us the tools for advanced diagnostics and surgery. Our friendly, helpful and compassionate team are always on hand to help you. To book your appointment today, simply call 01942 242001