Flatulence in a dog: causes, treatment, diet, prevention

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Bloating in dogs is quite common and can be a he alth hazard. If gas formation torments the pet constantly, it is possible that there is a pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. Then you need to be examined by a veterinarian. If treatment is not started on time, the problem will lead to serious malfunctions of the digestive tract, and in severe cases, to death.

Dealing with the concept

Bloating is the formation of excess gas in the stomach or intestines of an animal. Severe flatulence can cause you to burp or push gas through your anus that you hear. Normally, they leave silently. Flatulence in dogs results in rumbling in the gastrointestinal tract, which can sometimes be heard from another room.

Burping, rumbling, flatulence occurs periodically in all dogs, but if they become excessive, it may indicate a possible problem requiring medical attention. Quiteit is likely that there are certain problems in the gastrointestinal tract and the pet needs veterinary care.

If these symptoms develop along with weight loss or diarrhea, then all the more you need to rush to a specialist. Normally, bloating occurs when gas builds up in a dog's colon. This is a normal process that indicates that bacteria break down certain types of food. Therefore, bloating itself is rarely a sign of serious he alth problems.

Which breeds are most commonly affected by this problem

All dogs can develop flatulence, especially when fed poor quality food. You can be sure that you are giving your pet the right food, but in reality it turns out that it contains harmful fillers and artificial preservatives. Accidental waste from your table, too much fiber or allergenic foods can contribute to severe bloating.

But there are some breeds that are more prone to flatulence than others. An example is the basset hound. This is a dog with digestive problems that needs special food and care.

Gas formation in a he althy animal

Some gas in the gastrointestinal tract is normal. There are three sources:

• Swallowing air.
• Gastrointestinal gas production.
• Diffusion of gas from blood.

In this case, the symptoms in all cases will be different. For example, swallowing air gives the most bloating. Physical activity or eating too fast also increasesthe amount of air swallowed. Another source is the fermentation of carbohydrates and some fibers in the colon. Soy, which is often added to feed as a source of protein, can also contribute to increased flatulence. It usually depends on the quantity. The separated gases are mostly odorless. The appearance of a persistent, unpleasant odor indicates dysbacteriosis.

Causes of flatulence: malnutrition

There are quite a few of them, so we will take them one by one. And the very first thing to note is improper feeding, getting into the dog's bowl of products that are unacceptable for it. A common cause of flatulence in a dog is a change in diet. Or the dog ate something spoiled, that is, a dietary imprudence was made.

Most cases of chronic flatulence are caused by foods that are poorly digested by the pet. This causes excessive fermentation in the colon and subsequent gas formation. Soybeans, peas, dairy products, fatty and spicy foods have been linked to flatulence in dogs.

Most dogs and cats are lactose intolerant. If they are fed milk and dairy products, they will suffer from flatulence or intestinal upset. Think about how many people give milk to cats. But if the animal is kept on a premium diet, but the problem persists, you need to be examined by a veterinarian to identify diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or other reasons for poor absorption of nutrients from the diet.

If a dog is in a hurry and greedily grabs food from a bowl, then it is also most oftenexperiencing problems with bloating. Another risk group is an overweight and obese animal. In this case, the risk of developing chronic flatulence is very high, regardless of diet. But still, every owner should know which foods cause flatulence.

Enzymatic deficiency

This is a condition in which the animal cannot digest food entering the gastrointestinal tract due to the fact that there is not enough of the necessary enzymes. Most often, in this case, problems with the pancreas are diagnosed. However, bloating may not then be the only symptom. In addition, the owner will observe chronic diarrhea, feces become pasty. Often there is a perversion of appetite, a decrease in body weight with increased appetite, the coat loses its luster. The animal in this case does not lose activity.

This can be attributed to the third reason - impaired motility of the gastrointestinal tract. This condition is not an independent disease, but accompanies a number of pathologies.

Mechanical obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a serious problem that threatens the life of the animal. In many cases, it leads to a guaranteed fatal outcome if the operation is not performed on time. There are several causes of intestinal obstruction in dogs:

• Obstruction of the intestines by foreign bodies (bones, stones, ropes).
• Turn of the stomach.
• Various tumors.

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are not always pronounced and depend on the specific case,features of the animal. The most striking symptomatology occurs with problems associated with the stomach and duodenum. In this case, there is repeated vomiting, severe pain and deterioration in the general condition of the patient.

In the absence of obvious symptoms, a tumor can be assumed that makes it difficult for feces and gases to move through the intestines. In this case, there is severe bloating.

Diagnosis

Flatulence in a dog is rarely an independent disease. To determine the cause of increased gas formation, it is necessary to analyze the animal's diet and feeding regimen. It is important to obtain data from general and biochemical blood tests, feces and urine tests, ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, x-rays of the abdominal organs. Sometimes gastroscopy and colonoscopy are necessary. Treatment of flatulence in a dog should be prescribed in accordance with the results of the examination. Only in this case it will be effective.

Prevention

The main components of the prevention of indigestion in a dog that lead to flatulence are high-quality, suitable food for the animal and compliance with the feeding regimen, as well as sufficient exercise. If the animal is prone to rapid ingestion of food, and with it - a large amount of air, it is necessary to feed it in calm conditions, separately from others and preferably with crushed food.

Dry food can be soaked. When switching to new products, they should be introduced gradually, mixing in small portions with the usual ones. Most likely, in this case, the treatment of flatulencethe dog will not need it.

Treatment usually involves dietary changes. At the same time, experts recommend a diet low in fiber and fat. High-quality protein and a small amount of cereals should be mandatory. In parallel, drug therapy is being carried out, which may include carminatives.

Small, frequent feedings are recommended for dogs that eat very quickly. Additionally, the veterinarian will offer a treatment method designed specifically for your pet. Do not forget that the prevention of flatulence in a dog is the main method, simple and affordable for every owner.

Emergency

Why can flatulence in a dog lead to its death? Here it is necessary to highlight such a thing as acute bloating, or acute flatulence. It develops rapidly, most often with liver pathology. Literally before our eyes, the stomach increases in size, and if urgent help is not provided, then the pet dies. Helping on your own is difficult, so try to get the animal to the vet as soon as possible.

If a dog has severe bloating and pain, decompression of the GI tract is usually the first action. The veterinarian may attempt to intubate the dog by passing a special tube through the mouth down the esophagus. If this succeeds, then the gas escapes through the tube to the outside. Unfortunately, the tube cannot always reach the stomach. The veterinarian may then attempt to decompress the abdomen by inserting a needle. It pierces the abdominal wall andstomach directly. This allows the gas to escape through the needle, making a hissing sound.

Help at home

If your pet's bloating is a common problem, then there should always be drugs for flatulence in the first aid kit. For dogs, the drugs that are given to children are often used. Therefore, if a child grows in the family, then there are probably already carminative drugs. It remains only to figure out how to give them.

Activated carbon

This is one of the most accessible, effective and inexpensive means that should always be at hand. Activated charcoal is usually used for poisoning and flatulence. It is used for all mammals, that is, for both humans and animals. It is important to understand that this is a drug and should be used strictly in accordance with the doctor's recommendations. In particular, consider the weight of the animal.

If your dog is a representative of small breeds and its weight does not exceed 10 kg, you only need one tablet of activated charcoal. For large animals, the dose is increased. The reference point is simple, for every 10 kg they give one tablet. How to give a dog activated charcoal so that the effect is as fast as possible? It is best to grind the medicine to a powder state and prepare a suspension. And it is convenient to inject it into the dog's mouth with a regular syringe without a needle.

Activated charcoal will quickly relieve pain and discomfort. Moreover, if flatulence is associated with poisoning, then the drug will collect all the toxins and alleviate the condition. And we will continueconsider how to treat flatulence in a dog.

Smekta

This is another preparation of natural origin with an adsorbing effect. "Smecta" for dogs can be used with the same success as for humans. Initially, this powder was not used in veterinary medicine, but over time it has found use in this industry. Today, doctors recommend "Smecta" as a drug for the treatment of digestive disorders.

It is not in vain that the product won a high rating. "Smekta" for dogs can be used for digestive disorders, poisoning, flatulence caused by a diet or other reasons. "Smecta" facilitates digestion, binds toxins, restores the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. But there are also contraindications. That is why it is important to first understand why flatulence in a dog has developed right now and what symptoms it is accompanied by. A contraindication will be intestinal obstruction of the animal, osmotic diarrhea, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Can Espumizan be used for dogs

This drug works as follows. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, and the effect is to destroy gas bubbles in the intestinal lumen. As a result, gases are excreted from the body unchanged. This means that, by removing accumulations of gas bubbles in the intestines, it does not have any effect on the body as a whole, that is, it is completely safe even for an immature puppy body.

How to apply

At the heart of itdrug active ingredient simethicone. Its price is higher than that of most similar products, but there is no doubt about the effectiveness and safety. But despite this, you need to carefully observe the animal and, on the basis of this, decide whether this drug can be given. First of all, you need to understand whether the animal is experiencing pain and discomfort. If the dog is obviously worried, looking for a place for himself, often jumps up or, conversely, tries not to move, then you need to take measures to eliminate painful symptoms:

• First you need to eliminate the causes of increased gas formation. Whether the dog has been in the bin or you just gave him something hard on his digestion is not that important. Adsorbents will help remove all excess, and in severe cases, you need to rinse the stomach.
• After that, you can use "Espumizan" (simethicone). The price of one bottle of drops with a volume of 30 ml is about 380 rubles. Capsules will cost about 270 rubles for 25 pieces.
• After that, irritation of the mucosa is removed. For this, "Smekta" is used.
• Finally, you can populate the intestines with beneficial microflora. For this, both pharmaceutical preparations and natural yogurt are used.

Such an integrated approach to solving the problem is much more effective than a single use of one of the above drugs. But do not forget that bloating has its own reasons. If this is a one-time occurrence, then nothing special needs to be done. But with regular flatulence, which is accompanied by pain, you must definitely turn todoctor.

One dose of the drug for a small animal is half a teaspoon or one capsule. The dosage in milliliters is calculated by the attending physician. The medicine should be given immediately after meals. The drug has a pleasant taste, but everyone is individual, and your dog may not like it. Therefore, you can use a syringe without a needle, which will allow you to pour the medicine directly into the mouth.

Drug side effects

We emphasize once again that treatment will be effective only if you have managed to establish the cause of the phenomenon. Otherwise, the problem will recur and again you will need to think about what to do. Flatulence in a dog may be normal, in which case nothing can be done. After a few hours, the problem will resolve itself.

There are usually no side effects when taking these medicines. This also applies to puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches. But allergic reactions of the animal's body to excipients are possible. Hypersensitivity is extremely rare, but if you notice itching, it is better to stop taking the drug and consult a specialist.

Puppies are not contraindicated in any of the above remedies. Overdose is unlikely due to the inertness of the drugs. It should be borne in mind that if you have a Great Dane or a Caucasian Shepherd Dog, then the medicine may not have any effect on them. In this case, the doctor may prescribe the drug in an increased dosage or choose an analogue.

Conclusion

Based on the experience of manypet owners, we can say that a diet for a dog with flatulence is a top priority. With severe bloating, you can leave the animal for a day without food, then start with a small piece of minced beef and gradually introduce the rest of the products. If you feed your dog dry food, then you need to carefully look at the composition. In cheap feeds, soy, dyes and flavors are sometimes in the first places, but there is no meat at all. Of course, such food will cause bloating.

The second important point is physical activity. Even if you feed the animal perfectly, correctly and balanced, but take it outside for 15 minutes in the morning and evening, it is likely to have digestive problems. Be sure to give walks and games in the fresh air for at least two hours a day. For large dogs - at least 3-4 hours.

And the third point is the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Here you can no longer figure it out on your own. You need to go to the clinic, take tests, and only then the doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. In any case, in the first aid kit you need to have a minimum set of tools that will help relieve pain and calmly wait for a visit to a specialist.