Gastritis in a dog: causes, symptoms and treatment. How many times a day should you feed your dog?

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

Gastritis in a dog is similar in its clinical features to other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is for this reason that self-medication is unacceptable, since you can harm your pet. The disease itself will not go away, and in a state of neglect, it will quickly take on a chronic form.

What is gastritis? Forms of the disease

Inflammation and irritation of the gastric mucosa is called gastritis. There are several forms of the disease:

• gastritis caused by Helicobacter bacteria - after infection, the disease enters into an acute and then into a chronic form;
• eosinophilic - eosinophils accumulate in the gastric mucosa, which produce substances that destroy neighboring tissues;
• atrophic is a chronic form; with it, the gastric glands decrease, the mucous membrane becomes thinner, the production of gastric juice is significantly reduced;
• acute - can be both independent and secondary disease;
• chronic - usually asymptomatic, but occasionalexacerbations.

Erosive gastritis in a dog has also been described in veterinary medicine. Symptoms of this disease are characterized by sharp pains, vomiting, the appearance of numerous erosions on the gastric mucosa. If in humans it is caused by alcohol and smoking, then the reasons for its development in dogs have not yet been identified. Many scientists are increasingly inclined to believe that one of the causes of the onset of the disease is stress. In addition, poisoning with low-quality feed and medicines can lead to its development.

Gastritis in dogs: causes of the disease

They may be different. When Helicobacter bacteria attack, the pathogenic reproduction of this infection begins.

Eosinophilic form can be the result of feeding the dog products that contain many artificial ingredients in their composition. In addition, this form of gastritis can be caused by helminths, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, systemic mastocytosis, eosinophilic granuloma.

Atrophic form is caused by autoimmune processes. Retrievers and fox terriers are predisposed to it.

Acute gastritis in dogs is caused by several reasons: helminths, bacteria, medicines, poisoning with toxic substances, feeding poor-quality food.

When, for some reason, the exit of urine from the body is complicated, and sometimes even impossible (diseases of the ureter or urethra), the decay products are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause severe intoxication. The consequence of this process can be numerous pathologies, among which gastritis is one of the easiest.

The chronic form of the disease develops due to the constant presence of factors that lead to acute gastritis. Often it is a secondary disease that develops against the background of many serious ailments of the central nervous system, kidneys and others.

Gastritis in a dog: symptoms

Veterinarians say that the symptoms of this disease are very similar to signs of other pathologies of the digestive system (for example, ulcers, enteritis, including viral etiology, hepatitis, helminths, etc.). Without additional research, even a very experienced specialist will not always be able to make a diagnosis. Especially when you consider that gastritis may not be the main disease, but a sign of another.

How does gastritis manifest in a dog? The symptoms of the disease are:

• vomit;
• diarrhea if the stomach is low in acidity;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• apathy, lethargy, loss of activity (the dog sleeps more than usual, limits its movements, takes one position of the body, which changes reluctantly);
• pain in the abdomen, which is established by probing the stomach area.

Signs of gastritis in a dog can also be manifested by the fact that at home the dog often whines, licks his stomach, trying to attract the attention of the owners. If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your pet - do not waste time and go to the veterinary clinic.

Diagnosis

Treatment of gastritis in dogs begins after an accurate diagnosis in conditionsveterinary clinic. Here, the four-legged patient will undergo fluoroscopy, ultrasound. In some cases, a biopsy is indicated. Based on the results of these studies, the veterinarian will determine the type of gastritis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Gastritis treatment

Treatment of gastritis in dogs in any form requires immediate veterinary intervention. With an acute form, it is somewhat simpler - therapy is started immediately. In the chronic form, the doctor's actions are aimed at exacerbating the inflammatory process, no matter how strange it may sound.

The fact is that this is required in order to facilitate and speed up the healing of the animal. Otherwise, the disease, which has taken on a chronic form, will periodically worsen and subside, and the dog will constantly experience pain.

Fasting days

Treatment of the animal begins with a starvation diet, which continues throughout the day. During this time, the dog is only allowed to drink water without restrictions. Warn the "caring" household, who will try to furtively treat their sick pet, about the ban on eating, and do not succumb to provocation yourself. The dog will beg for food. But the owners must understand that a starvation diet is not a whim of a doctor, but an urgent need, without which it is impossible to cure gastritis in a dog.

Special preparations

Special medications for the treatment of gastritis in a dog are prescribed only by a doctor. The indicated dosage must be strictly observed.

Almagel A

The animal is prescribed drugs that protect the mucous membrane, creating a special layer that helps prevent even more irritation of the mucous membrane by gastric juice. Inflamed tissue recovers faster and easier with the use of Almagel A, Phosphalugel.

Anspasmodics, analgesics

These drugs must be included in the course of therapy. They help speed up the recovery process of the animal.

Antibiotics

Preparations of this group block the reproduction of secondary microflora, which undoubtedly complicates the course of the disease. It is strictly forbidden to use them without a doctor's prescription. Only a specialist can decide whether his patient needs such drugs or not.

Antiemetics

Voting often accompanies gastritis in a dog, and sometimes it is indomitable. In this case, the animal is prescribed Cerucal and other drugs with an antiemetic effect. But if vomiting is caused by poisoning, then it helps to remove the toxin from the digestive tract. Therefore, the decision to prescribe these drugs is also made by the doctor.

Intravenous infusions

Treatment of gastritis is impossible without drips, especially if the dog is vomiting and severe diarrhea, exhaustion and dehydration. Depending on the severity and course of the disease, various solutions are prescribed.

Diet for gastritis

Diet is a prerequisite for successful treatment. With gastritis in dogs, it is also an excellent preventivea means of preventing the exacerbation of the disease.

How many times a day to feed the dog? A sick animal is fed in small portions five to six times a day, at certain hours. Eliminate dry food during this period, transfer your pet to natural products (the only exception is veterinary diets for dogs with sensitive digestion).

When to feed the dog - before or after the walk? This question worries many pet owners. Veterinarians recommend feeding a he althy animal after a walk. But what if gastritis is complicated by severe diarrhea? The answer to the question "When to feed the dog - before or after a walk?" tell the condition of your pet. But, as a rule, until the diarrhea is eliminated, the animal is fed before the walk.

Knowing how many times a day to feed the dog, you must follow the following rules:

• reduce the daily amount of food by 20-30%;
• steam and wipe food.

A pet with a chronic form of gastritis should be under the constant supervision of a veterinarian.

Acceptable products in the treatment of gastritis

• Hercules or rice. A decoction of these cereals is given in the first two days, then they are ground in a coffee grinder, and then boiled. You can boil the cereal, and then rub it through a sieve.
• Fat-free cottage cheese. It is mixed with porridge. You can give cottage cheese without additives.
• Minced meat. Prepared from lean fresh meat and boiled. Give the dog with porridge. You can add boiled grated carrots.

Food for dogswith gastritis should be sparse. It is diluted with either a decoction of cereals or low-fat meat broth. When your pet begins to recover and his he alth improves, characteristic symptoms disappear, then the products can not be chopped.

If before the development of the disease you fed the dog dry food, then after recovery, when switching to it, a special therapeutic composition should be given for some time.

Disease prevention

First of all, it is necessary to organize and maintain the diet of the animal. Your pet's diet should be balanced, include all the necessary vitamin and mineral complexes. Any shortcomings can provoke the development of the disease.

Regularly deworm and deworm your dog. If you decide to feed your dog dry food, then you need to choose a super premium or premium brand. In their composition there are no dyes, preservatives, flavorings. They are made from natural products.

It is necessary to feed the animal at the same time. Portion sizes should not be excessive to prevent overeating. Brush your pet's fur regularly. This hygienic procedure will prevent the dog from filling the stomach with hair.

Do not neglect regular preventive visits to the veterinarian. This will prevent many diseases, including gastritis.

Summarize

Digestive disorders in dogs are a serious problem that pet owners quite often go to the clinic with. Prevention of these diseases will saveyour pet from serious he alth problems. If the dog is still sick, do not self-medicate. Modern veterinary medicine is able to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat gastritis in a dog.