Treatment of Stress Colitis in Dogs
The approach towards stress colitis treatment modalities heavily depends upon the severity of each case. More severe cases might prompt hospitalization, as well as IV fluid therapy and IV medications. However, veterinarians approach milder canine stress colitis cases through gastrointestinal protectants, anti-nausea medications, and anti-parasitic medications.
Unfortunately, medication-heavy approaches do not solve the roots of the problem, which is the stress factor. On the contrary, the medication itself, designed to relieve stress colitis symptoms, as well as the repeated visits to the veterinarian, can exacerbate the problem and stress your dogs digestive system even further. Therefore, please bring any worsened symptoms to your veterinarians attention while your dog is on medication; they may propose removing the medication altogether.
A holistic approach towards healing stress colitis in dogs considers not only medication but also the food and dietary practices of your dog. An imbalanced digestive system does not call for medication alone; it primarily calls for healthy foods and a personalized eating schedule.
Fasting is the first step towards returning the digestive system to balance. After suffering from distress due to stress colitis, your dogs digestive system needs time to fight off harmful bacteria and minimize inflammation. You can introduce either of the following two fasting plans:
These fasting plans do not include puppies, sick dogs, and senior dogs, who must never fast!
Symptoms of Stress Colitis in Dogs
The most telling signs of stress colitis in dogs can be observed in canine feces. A soft or loose stool, frequently accompanied by mucus or blood, points towards stress colitis. Your dog will attempt to relieve himself more often, oftentimes without success. In more severe cases, stress colitis is followed by vomiting and weight loss, although such instances seldom occur.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Dogs
Several gastrointestinal conditions can affect dogs, including IBD and IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic inflammation of the digestive system intestinal tract lining, while IBS is a disorder characterized by abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.
Colitis is a common symptom of both IBD and IBS in dogs. Colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine, which can cause severe diarrhea, bleeding, and weight loss.
Many dogs with colitis also suffer from chronic vomiting. This acute colitis is a type of colitis that may be caused by psychological stressors such as separation anxiety or changes in routine.
What to Feed a Dog with Colitis (+ cure their diarrhea) – Dog Health Vet Advice
If your dog is having diarrhea, it might be a case of colitis. This common condition occurs in humans, dogs, cats, and other animals and usually causes diarrhea, gas, and discomfort. While colitis can have many causes, stress is the biggest culprit. The good news is that colitis is easily detected and can often be managed through diet and medication.
The term colitis simply means inflammation of the colon, also known as the large bowel. Since colitis typically causes diarrhea, it is sometimes referred to as large bowel diarrhea.
Any dog can develop colitis regardless of age, breed, or sex. This condition can happen suddenly (acute colitis) or it may be a chronic condition. Chronic colitis often occurs as a result of another medical condition.
Stress colitis is the most common type of acute colitis in dogs. This happens when stress and anxiety interfere with immune function, leading to inflammation of the large bowel. Its not unusual for dogs to develop acute colitis after a stressful event like boarding, moving, or loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks.
In general, diarrhea may be related to the large intestines or the small intestines and will present in different ways. Dogs with small bowel diarrhea are more likely to experience vomiting, weight loss, and lethargy. If blood is present in small bowel diarrhea, then it will appear dark like coffee grounds or tar (not fresh red blood as with large bowel diarrhea).
Of course, diarrhea may be related to both the large and small intestines, but in cases of colitis, it is primarily the large bowel that is affected. Signs of colitis in dogs include:
Contact your veterinarian if your dog is exhibiting any of these signs. They can advise you on next steps to get your pup feeling better.
