Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It is quite common in dogs and can be acute or chronic. In the following we will explain what causes it, what symptoms it can have and what the treatment of gastritis in dogs looks like.
Key facts at a glance
- If the gastritis is not treated, chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa can develop.
- There are various causes of how gastritis develops. That includes stress.
- The main symptom is the vomiting of yellow, bilious secretions, but also a lack of appetite, dull fur and pale mucous membranes.
- In the case of gastritis, the animal must be presented to the veterinarian.
- Rest, plenty of fluids and a bland diet will help with recovery.
What is gastritis?
Normally, your dog’s stomach wall is protected by a barrier of epithelial cells and mucus. However, if this protective layer is damaged, the stomach acid attacks the stomach walls. The resulting release of histamines also stimulates acid production, which further aggravates the symptoms. If your dog’s gastritis is not treated, the permanent irritation of the stomach will ultimately lead to the acute inflammation of the gastric mucosa developing into a chronic one.
Possible causes of gastritis in dogs
Gastritis in your dog can be triggered by a variety of reasons. In many cases, it is hardly possible to subsequently determine the exact reason for the inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Possible causes of gastritis in dogs include:
- Excessive stress (e.g. due to getting a second dog)
- eating snow
- Feed intolerances
- Medications (especially certain pain-relieving anti-inflammatories)
- Parasites such as giardia and worms
- Foreign objects lodged in the stomach
- Pathogens such as distemper viruses
In addition, chronic gastritis in dogs can also be the result of a stomach ulcer.
Symptoms of gastritis in dogs
If your dog suffers from acute gastritis, this is particularly noticeable through severe vomiting, which is sometimes accompanied by diarrhea. Since the symptoms are similar to those of a normal gastrointestinal infection, inflammation of the gastric mucosa is usually not the first thing that dog owners think of in this case.
In the case of chronic gastritis, the affected dog regularly vomits bilious secretion, which is characterized by a yellowish colour. If there is a stomach ulcer, there may also be blood in the vomit.
Apart from that, chronic gastritis in dogs is manifested by stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, a dull coat and pale mucous membranes. In addition, the faeces of affected animals are often black due to blood loss in the stomach.
Gastritis in dogs: diagnosis by the veterinarian
If you suspect that your dog has gastritis, you should make an appointment with the vet as soon as possible. As part of the diagnostics, he will carry out a blood test and examine the abdomen using ultrasound.
If your dog has chronic gastritis, a number of other tests are also required. Because in this case, the main aim of the diagnosis is to find out the cause. For this purpose, in addition to examining the blood for possible pathogens, a gastroscopy and an examination of the upper small intestine can be carried out. The samples taken are then examined in order to enable conclusions to be drawn about the triggers of chronic gastritis in your dog.
Gastritis in dogs: treatment depends on course and cause
For the treatment of gastritis in your dog, it is first of all decisive whether there is an acute or a chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Treatment of acute gastritis in dogs
Acute gastritis in dogs is usually treated with temporary food deprivation. By giving the affected animal only water for about 24 hours, the stomach has the opportunity to calm down again. After that, the dog gets a bland diet for a few days.
In addition, a remedy for nausea and nausea is usually prescribed. This is to ensure that the affected dog does not lose more liquid. If the fluid loss in your dog as a result of the gastritis is already very advanced, inpatient accommodation for the administration of infusions may also be necessary.
Treatment of chronic gastritis in dogs
The treatment of chronic gastritis in dogs is usually more difficult. Depending on what triggered the inflammation of the gastric mucosa, different medications are required for the therapy. In the case of an infectious disease, for example, the administration of antibiotics may be necessary.
If the veterinarian was unable to determine the exact cause of your dog’s chronic gastritis, treatment is usually carried out with a combination of stomach acid-inhibiting drugs, immunosuppressants such as cortisone, and a change in feed.
Prognosis for dogs with gastritis
In general, gastritis in dogs can be treated well. Acute inflammation of the gastric mucosa is usually over after one or two weeks. However, the therapy of chronic gastritis can take several months.
Gastritis in dogs: treatment is often expensive
A sick dog can result in high vet bills. A gastritis disease is no exception. You pay around 100 euros each for normal blood tests and ultrasound examinations. If additional tests are required to diagnose gastritis in your dog, such as a gastroscopy, the vet bill will be even higher.
In addition, there are the costs for medication and a possibly necessary hospital stay for your dog. The bottom line is that the treatment of gastritis in your dog can cost you a few hundred euros.
supports you with the treatment costs
Fortunately, high veterinary bills can be avoided with dog health insurance. Because this takes over the majority of the costs that arise due to the treatment of diseases such as gastritis or due to an operation.