20 Apr Gastrointestinal Diseases in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Dogs, just like humans, need a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet. Proper nutrition plays a vital role in a dog’s health and longevity. Gastrointestinal problems and dogs’ diseases are among the most common dogs’ health problems that cause pain, discomfort and more problems. Most of these diseases are caused by poor nutrition; However, there are other reasons for a dog’s digestive issues. The following is a description of the causes, symptoms, signs and ways to treat gastrointestinal diseases in dogs.

Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs

As a dog owner, you need to watch his behaviour to quickly notice the slightest change in your dog’s behaviour and habit. Behaviour changes can usually be a sign of an illness or health problem, and it’s better to talk to your veterinarian about it. Some of the common signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal or digestive problems in dogs are:

• Severe bloating
• nausea
• Vomit
• Diarrhoea
• Severe weight loss (usually with severe diarrhoea and vomiting)
• Weakness and lethargy
• Constipation
• Swelling and pain in the abdomen
• Decreased appetite and reluctance to eat (even his favourite foods)

The above symptoms are a common sign of a dog’s digestive problems. These symptoms can be a sign of a safe and straightforward digestive problem or a sign of a dangerous and urgent illness that threatens your dog’s life. However, if your dog has these symptoms in addition to the above ones, it means that your dog’s condition is severe and dangerous; so take the dog to a veterinarian immediately:

• Shake or pant too much
• Severe dehydration
• Thirst and desire to drink a lot of water
• Vomiting fluids

 Any disorder that affects digestion and food absorption or affects the dogs’ excretion is known as a digestive disorder. Many factors such as parasites, viral diseases, poor nutrition, bloating, eating unhealthy foods, etc., can cause gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. Dog’s vaccination, quality and proper diet, hygiene and cleanliness significantly prevent these diseases.

The leading causes of digestive problems in dogs

Dog digestive problems and diseases can occur for a variety of reasons. The leading causes of digestive problems in dogs are:

infectious diseases

Consumption of rotten food, contaminated water and eating faeces are among the most common ways of transmitting the infection to the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are divided into three categories:

Bacterial infections

Swallowed bacteria can attach to the inner wall of a dog’s digestive tract and cause various irritations and discomforts. If the bacteria is in the stomach, it usually causes nausea and vomiting. However, if harmful bacteria are present in the distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract, they may cause diarrhoea. The veterinarian examines the dog and diagnoses the root cause of the disease, prescribing antibiotics to eliminate these infections and treat the dog’s gastrointestinal disease.

Viral infections

These types of infections are usually transmitted to your dog through contact with infected dogs.

Viral infections aren’t treated with antibiotics, and it’s best to manage the dog’s symptoms, provide adequate fluids, and support the dog. Of course, be sure to consult a veterinarian before any action.

Parva in dogs is a viral infectious disease that occurs in unvaccinated puppies and adult dogs. Breeds such as the Rottweiler, American Pit Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel and German Shepard are more susceptible to the virus. The virus can survive for several months in infected areas, and the best way to prevent it is to vaccinate dogs thoroughly and on time.

Parasitic diseases and worms

Intestinal or gastrointestinal parasites live inside a dog’s gut. These parasites produce larvae or eggs that pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are excreted in dog faeces. If your dog is accustomed to eating faeces and eats another dog’s infected faeces, these parasites will enter his body. Seeing small white spots in dog faeces is most likely a sign of a parasite on the dog’s body. 

Non-infectious diseases

Many of the dogs’ digestive problems fall into the category of non-infectious diseases. Gastric ulcer, kidney stones and enzyme deficiency are the most common digestive problems in dogs. Such problems usually occur in older and middle-aged dogs. In case of these problems, the dog must be examined by a veterinarian and, depending on the type of disease; the vet must prescribe the necessary treatment.

Poor nutrition and lack of food

Nutrition plays an essential role in dog health. Inadequate food can cause many digestive problems for dogs. There are currently many commercial foods for dogs that are unfortunately not the same in terms of quality and nutrients. Some cheap and poor quality dogs ​​food uses inappropriate ingredients and raw materials that have terrible effects on the dog’s health in the long run. Dogs need a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Any deficiency in the dog’s diet can cause stomach upset, gastrointestinal and intestinal problems.

Overeating, fast eating and bloating in dogs

Almost all dog breeds are very voracious, and no matter how much you feed them, they will never say no. If you always fill your dog’s food container, your dog will continue to eat and may have various digestive problems and may cause bloating and abdomen tightening. Bloating is a hazardous problem that can threaten your dog’s life.

When a dog eats or overeats too fast, a large amount of gas is produced in his stomach, and he becomes bloated. These gases don’t drain from the dog’s digestive tract and get stuck in the stomach, gradually causing the stomach to rotate and twitch. Stomach cramps in dogs are very dangerous. If the stomach turns too much, it can cause the dog to die. If your dog has bloat, be sure to consult a veterinarian.

Swallowing and eating poisonous food or other things

Dogs are curious creatures and eat whatever is in front of them. They may even eat things like fishing hooks, corn sticks, bones, yarn, rope, balls, plastic toys, socks, slippers, and shoes that are not edible or dangerous. If a dog eats another object, it’s likely to pass through his digestive tract. But swallowing a large piece can cause intestinal and gastric obstruction or very severe and dangerous digestive problems. Strange behaviours, nausea or vomiting, extreme thirst, and excessive drinking may be a sign that something is stuck in your dog’s digestive tract. In this case, be sure to take the issue seriously and see a veterinarian to treat intestinal obstruction in dogs.

Eating forbidden and harmful foods for dogs can also cause digestive problems in dogs. Some of the dangerous and toxic foods for dogs are:

• Chocolate
• Coffee, tea and caffeinated beverages
• garlic and onion
• Grapes and raisins
• Human’s food

Types of gastrointestinal disorders

There are different types of gastrointestinal or digestive problems, and the veterinarian can determine the exact cause of the disease by examining, taking a history and performing the necessary tests. The reasons for digestive issues in each dog and breed are different from others. Overeating, food allergies and intolerances, infections or deficiency of digestive enzymes, etc., are among the causes of digestive problems in dogs. Some dog’s breeds, such as the Great Dean, the Golden Retriever, the German Shepherd, and the Gypsy Breeder, are more susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases. The following conditions are among the most common gastrointestinal disorders in dogs.

Acute gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly affects the dog’s stomach and intestines. Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs is usually temporary. It is caused by eating rotten, fatty and oily foods, swallowing foreign objects, eating poisonous plants, internal parasites, stress, allergies and food allergies.

Colon inflammation or colitis

Colitis is a common gastrointestinal disease in dogs and means lining acute or chronic inflammation of the large intestine. This disease is mainly caused by whipworms (a type of parasite), various types of tumours or polyps, sudden changes in diet, allergies (especially food allergies), ingestion of foreign things and some other diseases. Colitis is more common in dogs under five years and causes constant bowel movements and pain when defecating. Colitis causes diarrhoea in dogs, and diarrhoea may contain mucus or even blood.

Pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation

Inflammation of pancreas infection is one of the dogs’ digestive problems whose exact origin and cause are unknown. Of course, factors such as eating fatty or people’s food, infections, various diseases and injuries are known to be possible pancreatitis causes.

Small bowel malabsorption disease

Inflammation of the small intestine can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and cause digestive problems such as persistent diarrhoea, severe weight loss and loss of appetite.

Nausea, vomiting and eating

Vomiting is one of the most common digestive problems, and every dog ​​owner has faced this problem. Diarrhoea is usually a sign of more severe pain and illness, and if it’s long and resistant, it will be a dangerous disease. If your dog vomits only once, it’s normal. But if your dog has the following symptoms with vomiting, it means that he has a more severe illness, and you need to see a veterinarian immediately:

1. Persistent vomiting
2. Raise large volumes of food
3. Vomiting and raising blood
4. bloody diarrhoea
5. Convulsions

Constipation and difficulty in excretion

Constipation is another common digestive problem in dogs that has many causes. Inactivity, dehydration, and eating indigestible substances such as bone, other things, or a low-fibre diet can lead to constipation in dogs.

Persistent and severe diarrhoea

Diarrhoea and constipation are usually signs and symptoms of another disease and should be taken seriously. Diarrhoea can be caused by infection, parasites, stress, dog food changes, eating human meals and junk food, eating junk and rotten or spoiled food from the trash, and organ dysfunction.

Prevention and treatments

Proper nutrition and diet

Nutrition is an essential factor in the health or disease of the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. If you know commercial food such as dry dog ​​food and canned food for dogs, be sure to buy it from reputable and quality brands and never sacrifice price for the quality. If you are going to give home food to your dog, the ingredients and amount must be suitable for your dog. Otherwise, the food may cause malnutrition and digestive problems in the dog.

Never change your dog’s food all at once.

Dogs have sensitive digestion, and a sudden change in food can cause digestive problems such as diarrhoea and nausea. So even if you buy him the best food, never change it all of a sudden. It’s better to do this within a week. On the first and second day, give your dog 1/4 of the new food and 3/4 of the old food. On the second and third day 2/4 fresh food and 2/4 old food; On the fourth and fifth day, give him 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of the old food, and finally on the 6th and 7th, utterly fresh food.

Pay attention to dog health and hygiene.

As we have seen in this article, many of the dogs’ digestive problems are caused by parasites and infections and eating foreign objects and spoiled food. You can significantly prevent these parasitic and infectious gastrointestinal diseases by visiting a veterinarian, performing dog vaccinations, and regular parasitic therapy. You can also prevent these problems by keeping your dog healthy and clean.

Eliminate gluttony in dogs

To solve gastrointestinal diseases in dogs, be sure to put dry dog ​​food in a closed container and out of the dog’s reach and ensure that your dog doesn’t have access to them. Buy a suitable food container for your dog. If your dog is accustomed to eating spicy food, use special containers called slow-food. In this case, the dog can’t eat very quickly. Give the dog daily food in two or more meals, and don’t let him eat too much in one meal.

Nutrition and cleanliness play an essential role in the dog’s health and longevity, and the better food we give them, the healthier they will be. Improper nutrition, poor diet, eating harmful and dangerous foods can cause upset and digestive diseases in dogs. Some of these digestive problems Gastrointestinal Diseases in Dogs can be fatal and endanger your dog’s health or life. Dog’s grooming also plays a vital role in preventing many diseases. You can entrust this task to Mishka’s specialised team, which keeps the dog clean and hygienic and ensures his health. Prevention is always better and less expensive than treatment; So by choosing the proper diet, using high quality, nutritious foods and a professional groomer, you can ensure your dog’ and prevent the dog from suffering and high treatment costs.