Dog gastro-enteritis
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A guide about this major stomach upset
Have you ever wondered what a dog with Gastroenteritis is really going through? By looking at the origins of the word "Gastroenteritis" we very likely will get an idea.
"Gastro" is the the Greek word for stomach, "Enteron" stands for intestine, and "itis" stands for inflammation, put the words all together and you will likely have a dog with inflammation of the stomach and the intestine. Not a very nice picture indeed.
A dog with gastroenteritis will very likely be rushed to the vet's office or emergency room because it's symptoms can be really concerning for the owner. I have personally had a puppy affected by gastroenteritis and he quickly started deteriorating as he moaned in pain listless. Below are key symptoms that may suggest gastroenteritis in a dog:
SYMPTOMS
Copious vomiting
Copious diarrhea
Inappetence
Lethargy
Listlessness
Dehydration
Presence of blood in stool
Shock
DIAGNOSIS
A diagnosis for gastroenteritis is obtained mostly by exclusion. This means that other conditions producing similar symptoms are tested for first. When a puppy presents with vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the stool, a Parvo virus test should be run. Other conditions to be tested for would be ulcers, foreign body obstruction, presence of parasites, coagulation disorders, etc. So a series of tests will need to be run to rule out other possible conditions before coming to the conclusion that a dog is affected by gastroenteritis.
Many times dogs suffering from gastroenteritis will show a high red blood cell count and this may be the ultimate proof that will help the veterinarian confirm a suspected case of gastroenteritis.
But exactly what causes gastroenteritis in a dog?
Unfortunately, more often than not the cause may remain unknown (idiopathic). There are suspected triggers though that can provide some clarity on gastroenteritis flare ups. Here are some:
CAUSES
Stress
Abrupt diet changes
Parasites
Dietary intolerance
Food indiscretion
Side effects from medications
Exposure to toxins
While it may be normal for a dog to occasionally exhibit vomiting and diarrhea, dogs affected by gastroenteritis will show more dramatic and abrupt symptoms and the condition may not resolve on its own by offering a bland diet or fasting. Instead, vet treatment may be required to provide fluids and electrolytes and prescribe appropriate medications to sooth the stomach.
When blood is detected in the stools the dog may be suffering from HGE which stands for Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Aggressive supportive care is required in this instance and if treatment is provided promptly enough the dog will make a full recovery
TREATMENT
While an exact cause may not be identified, treatment is well known and will consist of:
Sub Q fluids
IV fluids
Electrolytes
Anti- nausea medications
Antibiotics
Keeping dog off food
PROGNOSIS
Many cases of vomiting and diarrhea often resolve on their own. A dog suffering from stomach upset mat benefit of the following:
A 12 hours fast for puppies
A 24 hour fast for adult dogs
A bland diet
Electrolytes
After fasting, a bland diet consisting of boiled chicken (with the sking removed) and rice or hamburger (with the fat drained off) and rice may help the stomach settle. It is important that the rice be the bulky part of the meal. This diet must be offered 2-3 times a day in small meals. Then if the dog gets better the regular diet may be reintroducing gradually over the next few days. Unflavored Pedialyte or Gatorade may be added to the water bowl to replace lost electrolytes.
However, when the vomiting is persistent and the diarrhea copious, the dog may dehydrate quickly and home treatments may not suffix. The dog may get lethargic, listless , refuse food and blood may appear in the stools.
While the symptoms of this condition may be pretty worrisome for the owner, when caught early, treatment is much easier and effective. Cases left going on for too long may cause complications and also potentially death. The reason behind this is that untreated gastroenteritis will cause major dehydration. With major dehydration the red blood cell count will increase consistently causing the blood to concentrate and thus, become thicker. Thick blood will cause an often irreversible and deadly condition called "disseminated intra-vascular coagulation." So, the saying better safe than sorry proves very savvy when it comes down to a dog having serious "Gastro" and "Enteron" inflammation.
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Comments
Thanks for posting. One of my puppies got a bout of gastro-enteritis and looked like he was dying. $1350.00 dollars later he was fine but I still fear this may happen again. This is a horrible condition, yes I hope dog owners take it seriously, thank you!
I am adopting a dog with this condition. I can't actually adopt him until he has a clean bill of health. They will fix him before I take him, but will this condition come back? If so I may not get him. He was horriably abused the first year of his life. So thats the reason I want him so bad. His story is too sad to just let him sit in a shelter.
Bless your heart for saving an abused dog! It is hard to say if this condition will repeat itself once adopted since the causes of gastro-entiritis are often unknown.
I can say that my pup never had it again. And the first bout occurred 10 months ago. He did have a couple of episodes of diarrhea but I was able to control it by giving some rice and immodium. I would highly suggest to get pet insurance that way you will be covered under any circumstance.
i found my rottweiler last night he had lost half his weight and looked emaciated he could barely stand up.
I rushed him to the vet and she diagnosed Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis he is doing fine now with the fluids and medication and she is just waiting for his appetite to come back now.
i took one day for him to get that bad and 10hrs later with veterinary help he is going to be ok i have no doubt if i had waited for the morning he would be dead.
My Rottweiler had a bout of gastro-enteritis as a puppy and we had to rush him to the vet as he was moaning in pain curled up and lethargic. He was unable to keep food down and he had diarrhea and then pure blood. $1300 dollars later after being put on IV fluids and antinausea meds he was back to normal after just half a day. It is amazing how quickly they seem to recover. They told me that it may come back sometimes but so far so go, 1 year later.
I lost my precious Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy Leroy today. He would have been 5 mnths end of May. We took him to the vet as soon as he started vomitting, but after 5 days of not eating or drinking, being on drips and antibiotics and intense treatment, his little body just gave up. I will miss him terribly as he was with me 24/7. He even came to work with me. He will live on in my heart always and I just hope that he enjoyed his short little life and knew how much he was/is loved. Rest in peace my darling Leroy Brown, AKA "Fleaboy" (although he didn't have fleas!) We will meet again someday my beautiful boy!
I lost my dog the day with it. I took him to the vets soon as he starting vomiting and not eating and they said its just a stomack bug but i new there was something wrong with him. If that vet listened to me he would of been here the day still. Just watch out this diease could also cause kidney failure and lung failure thats what my wee pickles tutu had. He's gonna be so missed, Rest in peace baby pickles tutu.
I am so sorry to hear that. Was hoping for a turn of events. My deepest condolescences. Feel free to contact me anytime.
i just got a German Shephard puppy 6 days ago, hes only 7wks old, i got him wormed and got his 1st set of jags, he had lots of worms and wasnt feeling to great, he went off his food, i put it down to him just having the worms, i got up this morning to find my puppy in so much pain, i took him to the vets and have just been told he has gastro-enteritis, i am so worried about my wee man as i have been told he can die from this, he has been ill for the past few days, i hope i have caught this before it has gotten to bad, does he have a high chance of getting over this or have i left it to late,,,,,,
This is hard to say.. is he currently at the vet? mine was hospitalized two days. he went from almost dying to normal within 24 hours. It really depends on how strong this pup is and if aggressive treatment is started... mine was pretty bad when I took him in, he was vomiting everything and laying down in pain and moaning. I wish he recovers well just as mine did... sending my best wishes your way keep me posted if you wish, if he is at home with you I can offer some home remedies but many times all that can be done is keep off food and wait..
I picked up my puppy only last Monday. He was fine, Tuesday fine also,playful as a puppy should be. Wednesday he started vomiting & was not eating. I took him to the vet Friday. He is with them now, no change in his condition. He has Gastro. I feel so bad that I didn't take him in sooner, just thought he was a little off with all the stress of new home etc. I have 4 other dogs, fostered 13 others in my time... so thought I was doing the right thing letting him rest.
My poor tiny 'Mini Man', I feel so bad it's all my fault I didn't realise sooner.
Well it takes time to realize what is really going on. My dog Kaiser got it the same day I picked him up from the breeder. It was a Friday and it was odd.. on the way going home both him and his sister had diarrhea in the car. After ward they were having diarrhea all night. I thought it was from the stress of the car ride and being away from their home. I gave rice and chicken, Pepto Bismol, Gatorade, Nutrical.
His sister started getting better, but he was not responding to home treatments, so after vomiting, refusing food, skin test positive for beginning of dehydration and moaning from a tummy ache off to the emergency vet he went on Sunday. Then he bounced back one day later and the rest is history..
Yet I still have to understand what happened to both of them that time. They were on the same food the breeder gave us. I called the breeder and they said they were fine before that. And they did seem fine until they started getting sick in the car... go figure. I wonder if stress plays a major role here. As I couldn't find any other pattern..
Its hard to tell how your dog is going to respond to treatment, unfortunately it is all a frustrating ''wait and see'' ordeal. Try to get the most updates you can from the vet. See if he can be sent to a place where he is monitored in the night. My best wishes, keep me updated if you wish..
I appreciate being able to talk to others who have been though the same situation. I'm going out of my mind waiting on news.
Jaedun, my puppy is in a hospital with overnight monitoring. Either I call or the vet calls me each morning & evening with updates. I live only a 15 minute drive away from the veterinary hospital which means I am able to visit him each day. The staff are taking good care of Jaedun & I feel they are doing the best for him.
I spoke to the breeder on Friday to ask if the remaining puppies were unwell. At that time all were fine. Today I have spoken to the breeder & the other 4 males in the litter came down with similar symptoms & have passed away. The female, I am told seems to be fine.
All this bad news makes me all the more concerned for my 'Mini-Man'. None of us can understand why this has happened.
The thing is my puppy is having veterinary care, the 4 males did not & the breeder is caring for the female at home. If they have lost 4 I can't understand why they would not hospitalize her???
Latest update on Jaedun - He has started to walk around his enclosure & has taken a drink of water. The vet is pleased with Jaedun's progress but has made it quite clear this does not mean he will necessarily recover.
Heartbreaking as it is, I appreciate their honesty.
Over night monitoring is good. Just wondering if they ever ran a Parvo test on him? The reason I am asking is because it sounds like something viral may be going on since all the litter got affected and because the symptoms may be similar. Your breeder seems honest. My breeder stopped answering my phone calls once she heard about him getting sick. In any case, keeping my fingers crossed that he will be well soon and good to return home with you soon. I know how nerve wrecking the wait can be..
Jaedun was quite active this morning & looking a little better so the vet started him on small feeds. Only a teaspoon of fresh, cooled, boiled chicken breast. As Jaedun manged to keep 3 feeds down, without vomiting the vet has discharged him to home care.
I am to continue with the chicken feed every 2 hours. Monitor his stools (disinfect area where he has pooped) & keep him calm.
They would like me to take Jaedun for a check-up tomorrow. The vet has not as yet diagnosed him with a particular condition but a autopsy is planned for one of the other pups so that may help my puppy. Meanwhile I am to continue with after care & a course of anttibiotics.
He has had a feed & is now resting. So pleased he his home but is still an ill little boy.
Parvo is crossing my mind too... but the test was inconclusive, they say that was because he had his primary vaccination only a week ago.
That's great news!thanks for the update. Make sure to give the boiled chicken very slowly as eating too fast mat trigger vomiting. I hope his stools are solid by now. When my dog was diagnosed, his Parvo test came back negative, he came negative as well for coccidia so their next diagnosis was gatro-enteritis. However, they were never able to determine what caused it in the very first place. That was frustrating because I did not know what to do to prevent it from happening again.
However, my dog Kaiser is almost two now and luckily he never got sick like that time so far.
Jaedun has been keeping the chicken down so after another check up he is also having a teaspoon of boiled rice.
His poop (only 2 since coming home) is forming which is a good sign. The other good news is he is behaving more 'puppy like'. Still very sleepy but the vet tells me that is good as pups need their sleep & with all Jaedun has been going through he probably needs a little more.
Keep hoping he won't relapse, off again tomorrow for another check up with our vet.
Feel more positive reading that your puppy is doing well after nearly 2 years.
Well good to hear! He sure sounds like a fighter! I think it is quite normal the small amount of poops since he very likely has not been eating much. His puppy like behavior is a great sign. As long as he is eating, drinking and his poops are solid it sounds like he is on his way to recovery! thanks for the update!
I rescued a puppy 2 days ago, he's now in the vets with ?Parvo. Whether its this or gastro I sit here crying yet praying he pulls through. He was placed in rescue at 8 weeks & has already been through so much. The rescue said another dog there brought from the pound has the same. My boy has had his injections but I'm so scared I'm too late. He wasn't showing signs of dehydration from the skin test but has everything else. I just want him to be ok and home cuddling :-( I'm in for a long night, please pray for him. Love you my little boy x x x
Gosh, the wait is truly terrible...Poor little fellow, going through so much...Could be Parvo if the other dog had it too. He is in good hands at the vets, I am sure they will do their best to save him, the rest is really in God's hands. He is in my thoughts and prayers. My very best wishes. Keep bringing updates if you wish...
Hi my little boy showed signs of improvement but last night was collapsing again. One minute he'd stand up looking fine the next he'd collapse. He was continuing to bring up bile but diarhea had stopped, this morning it started bk up & parvo has been confirmed. When I went to see him he didn't even lift his head. Please pray for him, I love my little boy but can't help thinking I'm losing him :-( x
Parvo is a terrible disease :( I really hope the best for this little fellow, hope is never lost, sometimes they get really bad before bouncing back, will surely keep him in my prayers.
Just to let you know my darling boy Reuben passed away today. We had him fir just 48 hours after having him from an animal rescue centre. I can't believe I could love something so quickly. This time last week we were so excited as we were picking him up, in less than a week we had him & lost him. That little boy will never know how many hearts he touched in such a short time. We will love & miss you forever Rubes, too special to ever forget. Love you, RIP my darling boy x x x x x x
I am so sorry for your loss Gemma. Our thoughts are with you & your family.
Rest in Peace Little One xxx.
So sorry to hear that as well... my deepest condolescences
Nishant says:
17 months ago
by reading whatever u've just put on here, it is clear for me why my dog had been so low. all the systems matched.
sadly, we noticed the symptoms a bit late and now, the disease, which is referred to as gastro here<India> reached a higher level, the blood loss was profound, he expired. He was put up in a hospital but, as may have guessed it, the apathetic conditions of the hospital here are less encouraging.
But I hope all the other dog-owners read this. this thing is rapidly spreading here! I recommend this to every dogowner, pls take it very seriously!