How To Treat A Dog With Colitis
Introduction
Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and a host of other gastrointestinal problems. In the most severe cases, colitis in dogs can result in life-threatening conditions such as colorectal cancer or even ulcers. However, recognizing the condition early on and taking steps to address it means there’s no reason for your dog to suffer. We’re here to help you understand what colitis is and how you can treat your dog so that he or she feels better fast.
Colitis in dogs is an inflammatory bowel problem
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon, which is part of your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. The colon is where stool is stored before being expelled as waste. Colitis can be caused by a number of things, such as parasites and inflammation from food allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients in their diet.
Colitis can be either acute or chronic; acute colitis lasts only for a short period of time, while chronic colitis may continue indefinitely until treatment is sought out by your veterinarian. Acute cases tend to come on suddenly and affect dogs with no previous health problems; this type typically responds well to treatment once it has been identified and diagnosed properly by an experienced vet professional. Chronic cases usually have an underlying cause that must first be addressed before any kind of relief can begin—the most common form being irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What is colitis?
Colitis is a condition in which the colon becomes inflamed.
The colon is a part of the digestive system that receives, absorbs and stores waste products from food. It’s connected to your small intestine by your rectum, which is where stool comes out.
If your dog has colitis, he’ll experience symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss—all of which can be life-threatening if they last long enough to cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. But don’t worry: There are treatment options available so you can get him feeling better quickly!
What causes colitis?
Colitis can be caused by a number of things, including:
- A change in diet. This can include a sudden switch to new food or going from dry kibble to wet food.
- A change in environment. This includes moving to a new home or having the dog stay at a boarding facility for an extended period of time.
- Changes in stress levels, such as going to the groomer or vet’s office too frequently (or not enough).
- Changes in immune system function and/or development, which can be triggered by an infection with parasites like giardia or coccidia; bacteria like salmonella; viruses like parvovirus; fungi such as blastomyces dermatitidis (which causes valley fever); protozoans such as Toxoplasma gondii (which causes toxoplasmosis); etc.).
Signs and symptoms of colitis in dogs.
Colitis in dogs can cause the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Pain
Some dogs may also have fever and/or blood in their stool. Other signs include pain, fecal incontinence (loss of control over bowel movements), anorexia (lack of appetite), abdominal pain, and more.
Diagnosing and treating colitis.
Diagnosing colitis in dogs is not easy, but there are a few tests your vet will likely recommend to help them figure out what’s going on. The first step is usually a blood test that looks at white blood cell counts and levels of other chemicals in the body. If this doesn’t provide enough info, your dog may need an endoscopy or colonoscopy—a process by which they put a small camera down their throats and into their digestive tract. You can also get stool samples from your dog so that they can be tested for parasites or bacteria that could be contributing to inflammation in their intestines (and make sure you’re cleaning up after them after walks!). Finally, X-rays can show if any broken bones are causing irritation around the abdomen area.
How to prevent colitis from recurring.
- Feed your dog a high-quality diet. The best way to prevent colitis from recurring is to feed your dog a nutritionally balanced diet that’s free of ingredients or additives that may cause inflammation.
- Give your dog probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain healthy gut flora and balance the digestive tract’s microbiome, which can be compromised by antibiotics, stress, or other factors.
- Keep your dog lean. Fatty foods should be avoided altogether, but especially in dogs with colitis because they may contribute to inflammatory disorders of the colon. Also avoid feeding table scraps and junk food—keep meals simple so there are no surprises when it comes time for digestion!
Colitis in dogs is a condition that turns the colon into an inflamed organ and can even cause ulcers.
Colitis is a condition that turns the colon into an inflamed organ and can even cause ulcers. It’s a painful condition for your dog, and it can be life-threatening if not treated properly.
Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are several different types of IBD that affect humans, but colitis is most common in dogs. The exact cause isn’t known, but some researchers believe genetic predisposition plays a role as well as environmental factors like overfeeding or dietary changes that affect digestion. Dogs with certain health conditions are at higher risk of developing colitis than others; these include hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism), and diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion
In some cases, dogs with colitis may need a change of diet to help them recover. To prevent the condition from recurring, you can also feed your dog a high-fiber food that’s specially designed for dogs suffering from stomach problems such as diarrhea or vomiting. If your dog continues to suffer from loose stools on its new diet, consult a veterinarian before making any further dietary changes.