Canine Gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. It is a common condition.
CAUSES:
Gastritis can be or chronic or acute. Both can be caused by the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Antibiotics
- Infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Food allergy
Many times, acute gastritis is brought on by:
- Viruses, bacteria, or parasites
- Spoiled food
- Plant material
- Eating hair
- Eating fertilizers
- Swallowing cleaning agents
- Human medications: lead aspirin, antibiotics, steroids
Chronic gastritis tends to be caused by long-term exposure to:
- Any of the causes listed for acute gastritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Stomach cancer
Chronic gastritis means your dog has been vomiting for longer than two weeks. Acute gastritis usually lasts for less than 24 hours. The main causes are from dietary indiscretions: eating spoiled or raw food, non-food like garbage or cat litter, eating too much food, exposure to mold, etc. Most dogs will recover quickly.
SIGNS:
The main symptom is constant vomiting.
Other signs can include:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Dehydration
- Excessive thirst
- Lethargy and depression
- Abdominal pain
- Black stool
- Blood in the vomit or feces
DIAGNOSIS:
In acute cases, your veterinarian will perform blood and urine tests to determine the cause of inflammation
In chronic cases, your veterinarian may perform additional tests, including:
- Fecal exam
- Abdominal x-rays
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Endoscopy with biopsy
TREATMENT:
Acute gastritis can usually be resolved without medication. Your veterinarian will most likely recommend the following:
- Withhold food for 24 hours, which allows the stomach to rest
- Offer small amounts of water
- If your dog does not vomit for 24 hours, offer it a small amount of a bland food
- Gradually increase the amount of food over the next few days
- If vomiting returns, withhold all food and drinks and call your veterinarian
Chronic gastritis will be treated based on the cause of inflammation. If your dog is unstable, hospitalization may be necessary for IV fluids and anti-vomiting medications.
If your dog is in stable condition, your veterinarian will decide on treatment and medication depending on what is causing gastritis. They may prescribe stomach protectants, anti-vomiting medications, or antacids to help ease your dog's discomfort.
PREVENTION:
The best preventative measure against gastritis is to avoid any medication or substance that may cause the condition.
PROGNOSIS:
The prognosis is very good for acute gastritis. The prognosis for chronic gastritis depends on the cause.
Medically Reviewed by Sara Ochoa, DVM
