Is your pup vomiting, having lots of diarrhea, or running a low-grade fever? It’s possible that gastroenteritis is to blame.
Gastroenteritis is characterized as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract — which includes the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
It’s commonly caused by viruses or a bacterial infection, but it can also be a sign of other conditions and health issues such as:
It’s not considered contagious, so you won’t catch it by being near your pup.
👉 Bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis can spread through feces, so be careful when cleaning up after your pup.
Gastroenteritis is often a blanket term used to describe symptoms, but there are some specific types of gastroenteritis that point to specific types of issues.
Acute gastroenteritis. Acute gastroenteritis typically comes on suddenly and goes away by itself, though in extreme cases, it will continue to worsen until treatment is provided. This type is more common and is generally caused by infection, food allergies, toxins, poisons, or other GI irritants.
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). This type happens when there’s blood in your dog’s diarrhea. It may be caused by their diet (especially human foods that are high in fat or seasoning), toxins, or pancreatitis, and the onset is generally quick and severe. It’s also generally more common in smaller dog breeds.
Chronic gastroenteritis. Will develop over weeks, months, or even years — and could be a sign that there’s an underlying long-term health issue to blame.
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis. This is another specific type of inflammatory condition caused by a type of white blood cell called eosinophil. It’s more common in younger dogs but certain breeds are prone to it, too. Parasites are a common cause.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis can include any of the following:
You should take your pup to see a veterinarian as soon as you see symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, blood, pain, or lethargy.
👉 This is extra important if you have a puppy, older dog, or a small breed because these dogs are at higher risk of dehydration.
This condition is really a diagnosis of exclusion, so your vet will eliminate or rule out other causes or conditions first. And remember that gastroenteritis is often an umbrella term used to describe its symptoms, so it may not be a diagnosis in and of itself.
When you take your dog to the vet for any of the symptoms of gastroenteritis, be prepared for them to do a full workup.
Make sure you have a grasp on your dog’s medical history, and be ready to answer the following questions:
Beyond an extensive history taken, your vet will likely run other diagnostic tests to rule out other issues.
In most cases, the first step is to treat any dehydration that may have been caused by the gastroenteritis. Your vet will want to keep your pup hydrated and restore their blood electrolyte balance with fluid therapy, which could mean subcutaneous or intravenous (IV) fluids being administered.
Oftentimes, acute gastroenteritis improves rapidly upon rehydration, and pet parents will start to notice a significant difference within 48 hours. Of course, the earlier you catch and treat gastroenteritis, the faster and easier the recovery for your pup.
To treat the symptoms of gastroenteritis, your vet may prescribe medication such as:
Remember, gastroenteritis can also be a symptom of larger health issues, so your dog may need treatment for the gastroenteritis symptoms but also the underlying cause.
Gastroenteritis isn’t generally fatal, though extreme cases can become dire if left untreated.
To help prevent gastroenteritis, keep an eye on your pup’s nutrition and diet.
Feed your dog regular meals — Choose a food that your dog likes and that doesn’t irritate their stomach. If you’re having trouble finding food that sits well with your pup’s stomach, ask your vet for recommendations.
👉 Try not to change your dog’s food or add new ingredients quickly because it can mess with their digestion.
Hide things your dog may chew on — Also make sure that your pup stays away from clothes, shoes, and other household items they could chew up, which is a common way for toxins and other dietary irritants to enter their system.
Try a probiotic — Ask your vet if your pup’s stomach could benefit from adding a probiotic to their diet to boost their immune system. We love Premium Care’s probiotic chews which include ingredients like rosemary.
Add pumpkin to their diet — Pumpkin is known to help soothe upset stomachs in dogs — many treats and supplements contain pumpkin as well. Of course, check with your veterinarian before you add this orange fruit to your dog’s diet. Native Pet makes a special 3-ingredient pumpkin powder for dogs with organic pumpkin, pumpkin seed, and apple.
