Does my dog have a digestive disorder?
The most common signs of digestive disorders are soft stools or diarrhea. If your dog has digestive issues, you may also notice some or all of the following signs.
Chronic GI disease can be a debilitating problem for many dogs and requires testing and a thorough diagnosis from your veterinarian.
IMPORTANT: If your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting, he may become severely dehydrated. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the signs above.
Types and causes of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders in dogs
There are many different types of digestive disorders so your veterinarian may carry out tests to determine the exact cause of your dog’s problem. Causes can range from eating something other than dog food, to food allergies / intolerance, infections, or lack of digestive enzymes. Some breeds, such as great Danes, German shepherds, golden retrievers and collies, are more prone to particular digestive problems. Commonly diagnosed conditions include:
Acute gastroenteritis: Inflammation or infection of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the stomach and intestines. Acute gastroenteritis is usually short-term, caused by a dog eating spoiled or rancid food, high-fat people food, swallowing foreign objects, eating toxic plants, internal parasites, stress, food allergies or substances not intended as dog food. ,
Colitis: By definition, Colitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the colon. It is most frequently caused by whipworms (a parasite), tumors or polyps, a change in food, allergies (including those to food), swallowed foreign objects and certain other diseases. Colitis is more common in dogs under the age of 5 and causes inflammation of the large intestine resulting in frequent, painful passing of feces. Diarrhea may contain mucus and blood.
Constipation: This has several causes, including lack of exercise, dehydration and eating indigestible materials such as bones or other foreign objects, or very low fiber foods.
Diarrhea: Caused by infections, internal parasites, stress, a change in dog food, table scraps or rich snacks, eating spoiled food from the garbage and body organ dysfunction.
Pancreatitis: An inflammation or infection of the pancreas (an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach). Origins are frequently unknown. Potential causes are feeding foods high in fat or rich table foods, infections, disease or trauma.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: This condition is characterized by weight loss, increased appetite and large amounts of soft feces.
Small intestinal malabsorption: Inflammation of the small intestine impairs nutrient absorption and results in persistent diarrhea, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and diseases affect a dogs stomach and intestines, resulting in pain and other problems. Any disorder that reduces the digestion or absorption of food, or alters its passage through the digestive tract, can be called a digestive disorder. Healthy digestion is essential for your dog to be able to use the nutrients from his food to build and repair tissues and obtain energy. GI disorders can lead to dehydration, acid-base and electrolyte imbalances and malnutrition so it is important to recognize the signs and consult with your veterinarian.
Everything About Gastroenteritis In Dogs, Symptoms, Causes and Recommendations
Gastroenteritis in dogs is defined as an inflammation of a dog’s stomach (gastro-) and small intestine (-enteritis). In simple terms, gastroenteritis is an upset stomach. Pet parents might use the term “dog stomach bug” to describe this kind of illness, but the possible causes go beyond a viral infection.
If your dog has bloody diarrhea or vomit, go to the emergency vet immediately, as these are signs of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).