We've been witnessing gastritis become an increasingly common condition in dogs over the past several years, and according to statistics, as many as every second dog suffers from a chronic or acute digestive tract issue. This happens for several reasons, but owners themselves often contribute to the problem by feeding their dogs spiced human food, as well as salty snacks like chips or similar treats. Dogs with gastritis develop a strange appetite, so they often eat grass, lick the wall, and lick other objects.
Dr. Saša Ilić, veterinarian and owner of the "Noah's Ark Vet" veterinary clinic, tells our portal that in his clinic too, dogs suffering from gastritis are among the most commonly treated cases, and that it can be caused by food, stress, or swallowing a foreign object.
-Owners most often bring us dogs because of diarrhea and vomiting, and from year to year the number of dogs and cats with allergy problems is also growing, and these two conditions can be related. Specifically, certain dog breeds are genetically predisposed to develop stomach inflammation more often, which can be caused by inadequate diet – says Dr. Ilić.
According to him, gastritis usually occurs due to eating inadequate food, allergic reactions, poisoning, or because of viruses, bacteria, and parasites such as giardia and salmonella. In most cases, this is an acute condition that isn't overly complicated, so with proper diagnostics and therapy the pet recovers without consequences. However, if the gastritis becomes chronic, the actual underlying cause needs to be found.
-Gastritis develops as a result of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, and it's not uncommon for it to appear due to a large number of intestinal parasites as well. Stomach inflammation also occurs due to long-term use of certain medications, the presence of a foreign object in the stomach, or as an additional symptom of disease in other organs, such as pancreatic or liver disease. The condition also appears due to a weakened immune system, chronic pain, or stress. If left untreated in time, it leads to an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum. Stomach inflammation also occurs due to sensitivity to a specific type of food, inadequate food, and poor-quality food – says our source.
Regarding symptoms, Dr. Ilić emphasizes that in acute cases the illness starts suddenly and without warning, and the pet vomits nonstop – first food, and later exclusively gastric juices and bile. If the inflammation is caused by parasites, intestinal parasites may be found in the vomit. In the first few days, our source says, the dog is restless because it's in pain and can't find a comfortable place to lie down; it then becomes apathetic, loses its appetite, refuses food, and an unpleasant smell starts coming from its mouth.
-In certain cases, and not that rarely, it happens that pets suddenly drink a large amount of water which they immediately vomit back up right after drinking, and that's how dehydration occurs, which shows up as reduced skin elasticity – says our source.
If acute inflammation is diagnosed, the pet should be given water in small amounts, and for the first 12 to 36 hours it shouldn't be given any food. To calm the stomach, anti-vomiting medication is given, as well as probiotics, and if the animal is dehydrated, IV fluids are also started.
Besides IV fluids and medication, antibiotic therapy is most often included as well. Once the symptoms calm down, oral water intake is slowly reintroduced in smaller amounts, later increasing to normal amounts, and the same approach is used with meals, which should be dietary, smaller in quantity, and given 5-6 times a day. The pet is also switched to medical food (kibble).
-On the other hand, with chronic gastritis, attention needs to be paid to the underlying cause, and in such cases gastroscopy and X-ray imaging are recommended. Appropriate medications are also introduced, along with a mild, hypoallergenic diet – says Dr. Ilić.
It's worth noting that reflux is a common companion to gastritis symptoms, which involves stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus and mouth. In this case, the pet looks as if it's forcing itself to swallow or as if it's trying to vomit after a meal. It also loses its appetite, coughs, has a sour taste in its mouth, and breathes audibly. Otherwise, owners shouldn't panic, since in most cases it isn't a terrible health problem, and it resolves within a few weeks with the appropriate medication therapy and dietary diet. If it's a congenital, genetically inherited problem, or a case involving a foreign object, one of the solutions is surgical intervention.
-This condition affects dogs and cats equally, and among dogs, breeds prone to it include schnauzers, Great Danes, fox terriers, Irish setters, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Newfoundlands – our source concluded.