WHAT IS GASTRITIS?

Gastritis is defined as inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It may occur as a short episode (acute) or have a long duration (chronic), and it may be associated with conditions that are more serious. If you notice the signs of gastritis in your dog, you must consult your veterinarian.

The stomach lining can become irritated by several substances or foreign bodies, and the condition is common in dogs. That may not surprise you, as many of our furry friends will eat things whether or not those things disagree with their digestive systems.

SYMPTOMS OF GASTRITIS IN DOGS

The most common clinical signs associated with gastritis are:

•          vomiting which may include yellow foamy bile
•          decreased appetite (anorexia)
•          dehydration or increased thirst
•          lethargy
•          depression,
•          increased thirst
•          blood in the vomit or feces
•          abdominal pain which may result in hunching of the back
•          black tarry stools

With acute gastritis, these symptoms can be severe, but they may clear up in 24 hours. Chronic gastritis typically lasts for two or more weeks and worsens over time.

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC GASTRITIS IN DOGS?

Chronic Gastritis can be a result of your dog eating rotten food, plants, hair, or even too much food during mealtimes for an extended period of time. Your dog could also develop gastritis from eating non-food items over a long period of time. If your dog is the kind that likes to get into things they shouldn't chew up furniture or household items, they could be at risk for developing this condition. Stress and anxiety in dogs is also another very common cause of canine gastritis.

Allergies to certain foods can also lead to gastritis. If you know or suspect that your dog has an allergy to a specific food, consult with your vet about switching to an alternative that will be easier on their system. 

Acute Gastritis: The cause is usually a little harder to determine than chronic gastritis since it goes away so quickly, but if you are able to determine the cause (i.e., your dog trying a new food or eating something they weren't supposed to) then you can take measures to prevent it from happening again, saving your dog the problems of chronic gastritis. Acute gastritis is vomiting or decreased appetite that only lasts for a short period of time. Acute gastritis is fairly common and generally goes away within less than 24 hours. However, it can last up to a week without being classified as a chronic form of gastritis. While it's not the most pleasant experience for your dog, it is relatively harmless, and because it resolves itself, is not a reason to involve a vet.

WHAT CAUSES ACUTE GASTRITIS?

Acute gastritis in dogs can be caused by many of the same things that cause the chronic form. Particularly, eating something they shouldn't. This is particularly common with younger dogs, as they have a tendency to get into things and chew indiscriminately. This includes things like trash, rotten food, plants, non-edible items, cat litter, and other foreign objects. Your dog could also develop acute gastritis as a result of eating toxins like mold, fungus, fertilizer, or scraps of food intended for people.

If your pet has been vomiting or having other digestive issues for a few days, it's usually nothing to sweat over. So long as they aren't exhibiting serious symptoms (excessive vomiting or stomach pain) they should be back to their normal selves in a few days.

HOW IS GASTRITIS DIAGNOSED?

Tests for gastritis may include blood tests, urinalysis, fecal tests, abdominal X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and endoscopy. In acute cases, only minimal diagnostics such as blood and urine tests are required.

TREATMENT FOR GASTRITIS IN DOGS

Treatment is based on the specific cause. Most acute cases resolve without medical intervention. Non-medical treatment guidelines for acute gastritis include:

• withhold food for 24 to 48 hours
• offer small amounts of water frequently during the first 24 hours (if fluids cannot be given orally without inducing vomiting, seek immediate veterinary treatment)
• if there is no vomiting for 24 hours, feed a small amount of a highly-digestible, low-fat food
• resume feeding with small meals given frequently (usually about ½ of the normal daily amount of food, divided into 4-6 meals)
• gradually increase the amount of food over the next two to three days
• if vomiting returns, notify your veterinarian

It’s also important to treat the underlying causes. If the cause is that your dog ate something unusual, then take steps to avoid allowing your dog access to that substance. A vet may need to perform surgery if your dog swallowed a foreign object.

If the cause is long-term allergen exposure or exposure to toxic chemicals, then the substances that are responsible for the condition should be removed from your dog’s environment, and your dog may need antihistamines or other medical treatment.

Other conditions such as kidney disease, stomach cancer, immune disease, and neurological disorders will need to be addressed separately. It’s important to see your vet to rule out these causes.

If your dog experiences gastritis frequently, then you should take notes on what your dog eats, what they’ve been exposed to, their behavior, and other symptoms that may be present, and discuss all of these with your vet.

IS GASTRITIS PREVENTABLE?

It depends on what is causing your dog's gastritis. For the most part, though, it is preventable. Especially if it's a result of a diet change, food allergy, or medication. If your dog keeps coming down with gastritis, try switching out elements of their routine until you notice that it doesn't make a return. This will help you pinpoint the problem.

If your dog develops gastritis as a result of getting into things they shouldn't, the issue can be a little harder to solve. Dogs love to get into things like garbage, plants, and food that isn't theirs, making it a difficult behavior to mitigate. You can take measures to lessen the issue, though. If your dog has a habit of getting into food, put the food in places where they are unable to access it. If your dog has a few specific things they like to get into, like a houseplant, you can purchase repellant sprays that should keep them from indulging the behavior.

A lot of times, these behaviors are also the result of anxiety, stress, or a lack of exercise. Make sure that you give your pet plenty of exercise and spend an appropriate amount of time with them.