Diagnosis of Sensitive Stomach in Dogs
If your dog is producing abnormal stool or vomiting chronically, it is best to take them to the veterinarian for an evaluation as soon as possible. At your appointment, your veterinarian will collect a verbal history in regards to your dog’s condition. The veterinarian will want to know when your dog’s symptoms started, if and how they have been progressing, and any other detail in regards to their health. They will continue by performing a full physical exam on your dog. While you may have brought them in for one specific complaint, the vet will want to check them over entirely for other symptoms of illness or indications of a sensitive stomach. A visual assessment will be part of the evaluation, including body condition to assess how your dog is absorbing the nutrients from their diet.
Diagnostic lab work will assist in the diagnosis. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry profile will give basic information on how your dog’s internal organs are functioning and the overall bodily function as a whole. This can indicate the glucose level, cholesterol, and more information regarding your pet’s blood levels. If there are any abnormal levels, your veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic lab work that is more specific to the suspected ailment. A fecal sample should be collected for diagnostic testing to rule out intestinal parasites or a bacterial overgrowth, both of which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Your veterinarian may want to do radiographic imaging of your dog’s GI tract to ensure there is no intestinal blockage or a mass causing the symptoms. The vet may also want to do an endoscopy to properly view the GI tract. This can also allow proper viewing of a growth or blockage and check for ulceration.
Causes of Sensitive Stomach in Dogs
Your dog’s sensitive stomach may be congenital; that is, they are born with it. You may notice as a puppy your dog does not digest their food well, has excessive gas, and has abnormal stools. Discussing home remedies for dog gas, such as adding a tablespoon of probiotic plain yogurt to their meal, may be a simple step you can take to aid in easing an upset tummy. Talk to your vet about switching to a food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Your dog may also have chronic vomiting, nausea, and other GI-related symptoms no matter what food you feed them. A previous health condition or a newly developed one like pancreatitis, colitis, or a malabsorption disorder may be the culprit.
Signs That Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
How do you know if your dog has an upset stomach? Many of the signs are similar to what you experience when your own tummy hurts. Signs include:
Causes of stomach issues can be internal (inside the stomach) or external (outside the stomach). Internal causes for an upset stomach include dietary indiscretion (a fancy way of saying your dog ate something they shouldnt), food allergies, overeating, ulcers, tumors, parasites and intestinal blockages. External causes include liver or kidney problems, pancreatitis, hormonal issues, brain problems, inner ear problems, cancer, pain, heatstroke and stress.
3 REMEDIES For Upset Stomach In Dogs
Some dogs can eat nearly anything and be no worse for wear: garbage from an alley, a mysterious lump at the park — in it goes, no harm, no foul. Other dogs, not so much. They get a gurgly tummy, throw up on your favorite shoes, or get droopy and lethargic.
Upset tummies aren’t fun for the dogs or their owners, who may get stuck cleaning up something unexpected and gross if their dog has an accident or vomits.
It’s important to pay attention to the frequency of stomach upsets. All dogs get sick now and then, but some dogs have ongoing, chronic sensitive tummy issues with ongoing symptoms that manifest frequently and seemingly randomly. If your dog is sick for longer than 24 hours, check in with a vet.