Enteritis in dogs: symptoms, treatment and consequences

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

When you bring a puppy into 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 buying a dog, you will have to get a paid consultation from a cynologist who will find out how much time you are ready to devote to raising it, whether you have the opportunity to feed and treat your pet properly. The second point is the most critical. Veterinary services are very expensive today.

At the same time, each owner receives basic information about the need for vaccination and about 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 see a doctor, the greater the chance of recovery.

General information

Every owner can't be a veterinarian. But recognizing 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 intestinal inflammation. Almost all important organs are affected.

Vaccination isthe only measure to protect your pet's body. Breed predisposition has not been identified, any animal can get sick. Therefore, if the breeder claims that he did not vaccinate because these dogs do not get sick, it is better to look for another one. They are just trying to deceive you. Most often, this disease affects puppies and older dogs. But susceptibility to infection persists at any age.

Two forms of the disease

Only an experienced veterinarian can distinguish between them, 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 opposed. So, what forms are we talking about?

1. In 93% of cases, the disease is caused by parvovirus. That is why it bears the appropriate name. 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 a lot of reasons, but such a symptom should alert the owner. The cardiac form is observed in 20% of cases. The pathogen enters the myocardium and causes disruption of the heart and lungs.
2. Coronavirus 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 noteats and does not drink, he has vomiting and diarrhea, while the stool is bright yellow. The mild form is accompanied by slight lethargy. In principle, you can do without treatment. The right diet will allow the body to throw all its strength into the fight against the virus and win.

How the disease develops and proceeds

Because it is viral in nature, it requires contact with a carrier to become infected. The incubation period can last one day or a week. All this time the dog can walk on the site and communicate with other members 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 appearance of the first symptoms is not in vain called the incubation period. During this time, the viruses are successfully introduced into the mucosa. Active reproduction of pathogenic microflora begins, which entails the destruction of the cells of the intestinal lining.

All animals get sick. Half of the adults die. For puppies, this figure is even higher, at around 90%. At the first sign of illness, you need to go to a good clinic and start effective treatment.

Symptoms

The cardiac form is not so common, and coronovirus enteritis rarely affects animals that were born to dogs with good immunity. Or it passes in such a mild form that one can assume a banal bowel disorder. The most dangerous is parvovirus enteritis.

In dogs, it develops so rapidly that sometimes the owners do not even have time to do anything. Leaving forwork, they note that the pet is not too active, and in the evening they find the animal half-dead from dehydration due to profuse vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of enteritis in dogs can come on and progress at lightning speed, in which case you are likely to 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. The feces are liquid, yellow. The temperature can rise to 40 degrees or, conversely, fall to 19.5 °C. Sometimes vomiting starts. Such symptoms are typical for coronovirus enteritis.
• On the second day, the skin loses its elasticity.
• With parvovirus enteritis on the first day of illness, bowel movements occur every 20-40 minutes. The stool is greenish and watery. Vomiting occurs every 30 minutes.
• The symptoms of enteritis in a dog will only progress. On the second day, vomiting and diarrhea occur at intervals of one to two hours.
• Shortness of breath begins.
• After 12 hours, the pet's condition is rapidly deteriorating.

The owner should be well aware that it is impossible to delay now. If there is a veterinary ambulance in the city, 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 takes care of the pet from the very first visit. In this case, he knows the entire vaccination schedule, he alth status and previous diseases. This is very important for rapid diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Physiological changes

Signs of enteritis in a dog are a consequence of the processes that are currently taking place inside the body. You can not try to act only on the symptoms, that is, to block vomiting and diarrhea with the help of special tools like Cerucal and Imodium. Swelling of the stomach causes squeezing of the receptors, so vomiting will only increase.

But the main changes occur in the gut. The intestines become inflamed, the mucous membranes are destroyed and come out in pieces along with the feces. This is typical for 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 the blood vessels. 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. The viscosity of the blood increases, 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 severe. The body responds by producing 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 work. Without therapy, death occurs on days 2-5 or 7-12.

And today there are breeders who refuse to vaccinatepuppies, arguing that vaccines are dangerous. But is it worth talking about how many dogs die if vaccination is ignored. Yes, there is some risk, but it's not that big.

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, after a few days, the pet will feel better, and the doctor will allow him to finish the course at home. By the way, many are interested in where the treatment of dogs should be carried out. Enteritis is insidious. But much depends on the clinical picture. In severe cases, it is best to leave the pet in a hospital, under round-the-clock medical supervision.

Main directions in treatment

The course of viral enteritis in dogs can vary greatly. Despite this, there are several directions in the treatment 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 as soon as symptoms appear, your dog can be dehydrated within hours. Not to mention if the vomiting and diarrhea started at night and the trip was delayed until the morning.
• Remove toxins from the body.
• Maintenanceimmunity.
• Restoration of the work of the stomach and intestines, heart.

Each of these directions is one of the components of the overall effective scheme. It is for this reason that only a competent doctor should deal with the appointment of the course.

Features of therapy for the intestinal form of parvovirus enteritis

In general, therapy has something in common with the treatment of an acute form of coronavirus. Let's take a look at the main activities:

• In the first three days, doctors actively use immunoglobulin and hyperimmune sera.
• To avoid dehydration, a 5% solution of glucose and "Rheopolyglucin" is used.
• Be sure to prescribe immunostimulants - "Cycloferon", "Fosprenil", until the symptoms of enteritis fade. Treatment of dogs should take place under the strict supervision of a doctor, the name of the drugs is given for information only.
• If a serious intestinal lesion is obvious, then antibiotics must be prescribed. This is required to suppress the secondary microflora.
• Medications 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. It may be more convenient to leave the pet on a day hospital. And at home, the doctor paints procedures for every day.

Features of treatment for cardiac form

It is less common, and it is correct to diagnosethe disease is not always successful at the initial stage, which affects the effectiveness of therapy. Do not forget that the treatment of enteritis in dogs at home, without constant supervision and doctor's prescriptions, very rarely leads to positive results. Your pet will most likely die.

In cardiac form, rapid intravenous administration of solutions is dangerous. Long, slow infusions are recommended. Up to the round-the-clock introduction. The rest of the treatment will be the same as described above. But there are also some differences. If a dog has been ill with this form of the disease, it needs lifelong maintenance therapy.

Treatment with folk methods

Based on the above, one can understand how serious this disease is and how unpleasant the symptoms accompanying enteritis. 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 the dog vodka to drink. She will not recover from this, but you will deal a significant blow to the liver and intestines, which need protection.

Even with adequate therapy, the chance of death of the animal is high. And in case of delay or incorrect actions, the likelihood of the pet's survival is sharply reduced. Treatment with folk 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 to eat. You can't force feed an animal. If, with a mild form in a petappetite persists, then it should be a dietary food. It is best not to give anything other than water without consulting a veterinarian.

After the crisis has passed, the introduction of food must be extremely careful. The intestines are now a continuous wound. Rough, fatty foods will cause severe pain and will not be digested. As a result, you will be thrown back in your treatment, and you will have to return to the veterinarian 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. It is better if it will be a second brew. Now it is very important to provide a gentle diet and not overfeed the dog, even if he asks for supplements. The intestines are still too weak to experience another 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. You need to increase the number of servings gradually. After about 2-3 weeks, you can return to your normal diet.

Consequences

Even a mild course of the disease does not mean that the body will fully recover. A full range of therapeutic measures also does not guarantee the absence of consequences. Let's take a look at the most commoncomplications that the attending physician will definitely warn about:

• Lame. It can be temporary or stay for life.
• A sick 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 mouth. They need to be removed.
• Bitches often remain infertile.
• Heart failure is most often lifelong.

Prevention

A terrible and serious disease can be prevented in only one way. This is vaccination. Good nutrition and optimal conditions, timely walks - none of the above guarantees even minimal protection against the virus. The dog's immunity is unable to cope with it.

Puppies should be vaccinated from 3-4 months of age. Before that, it is not recommended to take the pet to the walking area where there are other animals. Experienced dog breeders say that during this period you need to wash the floors more often. After visiting the street, you must take off your shoes and wash your hands with soap. Today, veterinary clinics offer a wide selection of imported vaccines of good quality. There are not many complications from vaccinations. The probability 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.