Gastroenteritis in Dogs: Symptoms and Home Care Tips
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Time to read 10 min
If your four-legged friend has been suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, or even a mix of both, there is a good chance they might have gastroenteritis.Ā
While it is a fairly common condition, gastroenteritis in dogs can be quite distressing both for them, and you, particularly if there is the presence of blood (which is usually referred to as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome or AHDS).
For this reason, if your dog is ever struck down with this affliction, it is good to know what course of action to take.
That is why we have put together this comprehensive guide for you, which covers its symptoms, provides some useful home care tips, and advises under what circumstances you should take your pooch to the vet.
Table of Content
What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs? What are the Causes of Gastroenteritis in Dogs Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs What about Diarrhea? AHDS Symptoms How Do Vets Diagnose Gastroenteritis in Dogs Treatment for Gastroenteritis in Dogs Preventing Gastroenteritis in Dogs Try to Stop Them from Scavenging Stay up-to-date with their Vaccinations Deworming Medication Conclusion FAQs about gastroenteritis in dogs How long does gastroenteritis last in dogs? Can dogs get over gastroenteritis on their own? Products Featured In This Blog Related Readings
What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a condition that is defined by inflammation in the intestines and stomach.
It is generally categorized as either chronic, which can develop slowly over a period of weeks or months and can last for a long time, or acute, which can develop suddenly and does not last long.
Typically, gastroenteritis manifests as diarrhea (which can range from watery feces to mildly soft stools) and vomiting.
Occasionally, it can take the form of vomiting alone. However, if the affliction is localized to the stomach, veterinarians might diagnose it as gastritis.
What are the Causes of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Gastroenteritis refers to the inflammation of a dog's gastrointestinal tract.
While the exact cause of it can be difficult to pinpoint, gastroenteritis can occur as a result of the following:
toxins
eating spoiled or unusual food
bacteria/viruses (such as parvovirus)
underlying health issues like kidney or liver disease (more likely in older pets)
In most cases, gastroenteritis either clears up naturally or through veterinary treatment.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
The main symptom of gastroenteritis in dogs is vomiting. Often, this happens after they eat a meal, and the vomit can be yellow as a consequence of the bile that the liver produces.
That said, if you see traces of blood in the vomit, make an emergency vet appointment, as your pooch will require medical treatment immediately.
While vomiting is the main symptom of gastroenteritis, dogs suffering from this condition can also exhibit signs of:
- Appetite loss
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Listlessness
- Nausea
- Tender abdomen
- Tender hind end
- Weight loss (particularly common in cases of chronic gastroenteritis)
If your dog is displaying any of these traits or issues, you are advised to get them checked over by a vet immediately.
What about Diarrhea?
Should your dog be suffering from diarrhea, as revealed by a change in the consistency of their poop, they may well have enteritis, which is the inflammation of the intestines. A vet will be able to confirm this.
In such circumstances, the feces might be wet and soft. But eventually, it will become waterier and even tinged with mucus. You may also find your dog is having to strain when they try to poop or have toilet accidents around the house.
Sometimes, the diarrhea can be explosive, come out in large amounts, and frequent, and it can even contain blood ā in which case you should contact a vet immediately.
As it can happen quickly as a result of diarrhea-related fluid loss, dehydration is of particular concern in pups and aging dogs.
If your dog is displaying any of these traits or issues, you are advised to get them checked over by a vet immediately.
AHDS Symptoms
Given that prolonged gastroenteritis can eventually lead to acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, there are some other symptoms you should look out for.
They include a sudden onset of water and bloody diarrhea, blood in vomit, obvious signs of distress or pain, and general lethargy. If your dog has displayed any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately.
How Do Vets Diagnose Gastroenteritis in Dogs
If you take your four-legged friend to the vet, they will soon be able to determine if your dog has gastroenteritis or any other underlying condition.
Diagnosing the condition in dogs involves a process of elimination because the gastrointestinal clinical signs they are exhibiting could indicate that your dog is suffering from another ailment.
Initially, your vet will ask you a series of questions that might include variations of the following:
Has it eaten anything spoiled or unusual recently?
Has your pooch eaten in the last 48 hours?
When did you first notice the diarrhea?
What does the diarrhea look like?
Has your dog also vomited?
Does your pooch suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes?
These questions will give your vet a good baseline to work with. Having asked you them, they will then give your canine a thorough all-over examination, which includes focusing on their abdomen and monitoring for signs of dehydration.
After completing the body examination, your vet may then run a number of diagnostic tests that will provide them with a clearer understanding of your dogās issue.
Typically, these include:
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal X-ray
Blood work
Fecal exam (to look for the presence of intestinal parasites and infections e.g. bacteria like salmonella, campylobacter, or Escherichia coli)
Urinalysis
Once these tests have been completed, the vet should be able to formulate a diagnosis of whether your dog has gastroenteritis or another condition.
Treatment for Gastroenteritis in Dogs
If your four-legged friend has been found to be suffering from gastroenteritis, the main objectives of the treatment will be to stop the diarrhea and vomiting and restore its electrolytes to an optimal balance.
Your vet will advise of the best form of treatment, but often, it can include administering the following types of medications:
Anti-diarrheal medications
Anti-vomiting and anti-nausea medications
Medications for preventing stomach ulcers
Probiotics (to restore your poochās gut microbiome to a healthy level)
Antibiotics (e.g. metronidazole - although this is rare because most treatment is symptomatic)
While gastroenteritis can usually be treated by dog parents at home, in very severe cases, your pooch might require treatment in an animal hospital, such as intravenous fluid therapy, to address dehydration and replace any ongoing losses.
In addition to any medication you might be given for your dog, it is important to give them proper nutrition as a form of treatment as well.
Initially, your vet might recommend you not feed them for a period of up to 24 hours to help rest their digestive systems. However, if they are no longer vomiting, you should give them a very bland diet of foods like boiled, unseasoned chicken in frequent yet small amounts.
During this time, it is important to keep your dog hydrated, because if they are dehydrated, they will require vet treatment. A good way of doing this is to add an electrolyte supplement to its water, and your vet can recommend a suitable one.
Overall, acute gastroenteritis should resolve itself within a few days, although chronic gastroenteritis might take a bit longer to treat, and any underlying causes might need to be addressed to ensure they are resolved. Seek advice from your vet if you are unsure.
Preventing Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Obviously, the best way to reduce the chances of your dog suffering from gastroenteritis is to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place.
This can be difficult if you canāt pinpoint what actually triggered it. However, here are some general steps you can take to do so.
Try to Stop Them from Scavenging
When you take them out for a walk, many breeds of dogs have a tendency to munch on every scrap of food they find.
However, you should try and discourage them from doing so because there is a good chance the discarded food may be off, rotten or otherwise spoiled - which might be harmful to your pooch.
Stay up-to-date with their Vaccinations
It is very important to keep your dogās vaccinations up to date as they are specifically designed to keep them at optimal health levels.
You should contact your vet to determine which vaccinations your dog should have at what stages of their life. However, one of them will protect against parvovirus, which is a potentially deadly and very contagious virus for dogs that can eradicate one of the possible causes of gastro.
Deworming Medication
Vomiting and diarrhea can also be caused by roundworms and various other intestinal parasites. Therefore, you might want to give your dog deworming medication to lower the risk of them being infected and try these natural methods.
Your vet will be able to advise you on the appropriateness of doing so.
Conclusion
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a common condition. So, there is a good chance it might happen to your four-legged friend at one time or another.
If it does, we hope this guide will be a useful resource for you. However, as with anything, you should always seek advice from a vet if your furry best friend is not feeling 100%.
Your vet will be able to advise you on the appropriateness of doing so.
FAQs about gastroenteritis in dogs
Here are some answers to questions that are frequently asked by pet owners about gastroenteritis in dogs.
How long does gastroenteritis last in dogs?
Gastroenteritis in dogs is a common affliction and typically clears up within two or three days, often naturally. However, if the condition becomes more serious, it can take longer ā at which point a vet will advise you of the expected timeframe of recovery.
Can dogs get over gastroenteritis on their own?
Often, episodes of gastroenteritis in dogs can resolve naturally without treatment.
However, if the symptoms keep returning or stay for a prolonged period of time, you should take them to a vet who can establish if they are suffering from a more serious systemic disorder that might require medical treatment or surgery.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
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