There are plenty of perfectly innocent reasons why a dog’s digestive tract can go off the rails. Maybe there was a sudden change of diet because the pet store was out of the usual brand. Or your well-intentioned friend snuck your dog too many salami bites. Even stress can give your dog a stomach ache. And when that happens, you may be scrubbing vomit or diarrhea from the living room rug. Show That said, there are also many serious reasons why a dog may have gastrointestinal trouble. Toxin ingestion, a foreign body blockage, and pancreatitis, to name just a few. You should also be concerned if you see blood in the vomit or diarrhea, if your dog is extremely lethargic, or if the vomiting or diarrhea is increasing in frequency. In many of these cases, a “wait and see” approach can be devastating. That’s why it’s always best to discuss the situation with your veterinarian first, before simply handling the situation at home. However, for mild cases of vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite, there are several ways you can help your dog. Withhold food for 12 to 24 hoursWithholding food for a time gives your pup’s digestive tract a chance to calm down and reset itself. Your veterinarian may also recommend medications to help manage the vomiting or diarrhea, or probiotics to help firm up stools by restoring the natural balance of beneficial bacteria to the gut. Keep your dog hydratedDogs often lose body fluids when they vomit or have diarrhea. If they feel nauseous, they may steer clear of the water bowl and become dehydrated. You can check your dog’s hydration by touching your finger to his or her gums. In a healthy dog, the gums should be moist enough that your finger slides over the surface. If your finger sticks to the gum tissue, your dog may be dehydrated. A few hours after the last vomiting episode, start by offering a small amount of water. (Allowing your dog to gulp large quantities of water can disrupt the stomach again.) For small dogs, start with about a quarter cup of water every two hours, or half a cup during the same time span for medium to large dogs. Another option is to replace the water in your dog’s dish with ice, so he or she can only drink a small amount as the ice melts. If your dog isn’t interested in drinking, try adding a small amount of low-sodium chicken broth to the water. Some dogs may benefit from subcutaneous fluids at the veterinary clinic, especially young puppies, senior dogs and those who are extremely dehydrated. Once your dog can hold down water, it’s time to try solid food. Prepare a bland dietA mixture of soft white rice or boiled, skinless, boneless chicken or lean ground beef at room temperature can help. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for specific directions on preparing bland food for your dog’s upset stomach. Don’t feel like cooking? Consider trying a diet specially formulated for sensitive stomachs, such as Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs, in situations like these. Like the water, you don’t want to overdo the amount of food at first. Start with about a quarter cup of the rice and meat mixture or special food. If your dog can hold that down, keep feeding small amounts over the next few hours until your dog has eaten about the same amount he or she would normally consume. In some cases, a small amount of plain canned pumpkin (not spiced pumpkin pie filling) might also help with diarrhea. For large dogs, feed about one tablespoon per meal. Medium dogs should receive two teaspoons per meal, and small dogs can receive one teaspoon per meal. After two or three days of the bland diet, you can gradually transition to your dog’s regular food by mixing in greater amounts over the course of a few days. RELATED POST: FOOD SENSITIVITY IN DOGS IS A COMMON TRIGGER FOR TUMMY TROUBLES Many things can find their way into your dog’s stomach. Most people have found their dogs eating something they shouldn’t. Others take their dogs to the veterinarian only to find a small toy lodged in their dog’s digestive system. Sometimes, dogs get upset stomachs or stomach pain for reasons that aren’t as obvious. Here are some reasons for your dog's upset stomach, and how you can help. Dogs get upset stomachs for many of the same reasons that humans do. Your dog might eat something they shouldn’t. They might eat too fast and then go outside and run around. Some dogs are more prone to medical conditions than others. Parasites, bacteria, gas build-up, or constipation can upset your dog's stomach. Numerous conditions can cause your dog to appear to have
an upset stomach. In addition to those already discussed, these include: Gas. Gas is
naturally built up in your dog’s body as they digest their food. If they cannot pass it for some reason, it can increase and cause pain. Constipation is also a condition that dogs share with people. If they are constipated, their stool backs up along with the gas that is created and causes discomfort or pain. Inflammation and obstructions. Dogs love to eat things that might not be good for them. They often ingest pieces of toys, human foods with spices, or any number
of things that are usually bad. If your dog eats something they shouldn’t, it might cause inflammation in the lining of their stomach. If a toy or something that your dog eats gets caught in their intestines, they won’t be able to digest food. Obstructions. Some gastrointestinal obstructions can happen in dogs that are not caused by something they ate. For example, intussusception is a condition where an
intestine telescopes into itself, causing a blockage. Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a very contagious virus that dogs can pass to each other through direct contact with each other, feces, or people. ContinuedBloating. Bloating can result from a very severe condition in your dog. A dog’s stomach can stretch from gas that is trapped. Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) happens when your dog’s stomach twists when it is stretched. The blood supply is blocked off from other internal organs, causing a medical emergency for your dog. Cancer. Digestive system cancer is a term used for any cancer that can form in your dog’s stomach or intestine. This is a rare condition, but stomach pain is one of the first signs. Ulcers. Dogs can get ulcers in their stomach if the lining is damaged. Ulcers can be the result of inflammation, medicines, or anything else that might damage their stomach lining. Bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a condition that humans can develop as well. Your dog’s bowels can become inflamed for no apparent reason. This causes them to display symptoms that are similar to many other conditions. Malabsorption. Your dog may not be able to digest their food correctly. This is called malabsorption. It’s a challenging condition to diagnose because it has similar symptoms to other conditions. It’s typically caused by a deficiency in enzymes released by the pancreas. Motion sickness. If you’re taking your dog for a ride or rocking them in a chair, they might not be used to the motion. Dogs can get motion sick from unfamiliar motions. Symptoms of a Dog’s Upset StomachIf your dog has an upset stomach or an issue that makes you think they have a stomach or gastrointestinal issue, they can display some or all of the following symptoms. These symptoms are grouped by cause to show you their similarities:
ContinuedDiagnosing Stomach Problems in DogsTests vary for each of the conditions that your dog might have. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam and take an X-ray if needed. They might decide that blood tests are the only way to figure out what’s going on. Ultrasounds are also used to diagnose stomach problems in dogs. If your dog is passing stool with blood in it, bring in a sample for the veterinarian to test. Dog Upset Stomach TreatmentThe treatment for your dog’s upset stomach depends on the condition your veterinarian identifies. Parvovirus. If they have parvovirus, they will need to be isolated from other dogs and require hospitalization. The veterinarian can give your dog intravenous fluids to rehydrate them and maintain their system's ability to fight off the virus. Veterinarians might prescribe antibiotics to reduce any bacterial infections that result from the sickness. Inflammation. For inflamed stomach tissue and conditions that cause a lot of vomiting, veterinarians generally prescribe short-term fasting and lots of fluid intake to make sure your dog is hydrated. Other conditions. Bloating, cancer, and obstructions require immediate surgical procedures that can range from open surgery to less invasive procedures to remove obstructions. On rare occasions, an ulcer might need to be removed surgically if it has caused a perforation in part of the gastrointestinal tract. Common treatment. Vets often suggest a bland diet to treat a dog's upset stomach. Rice and chicken, or a more specific diet, removes the irritating substances from food to help your dog’s digestive system rebalance itself. Veterinarians will treat your dog’s symptoms with medication while they are determining the cause of their stomach problems. Probiotics are a common prescription for a dog’s tummy troubles. If your dog appears to have something wrong with their stomach, call your veterinarian for guidance. They might only have a stomach ache, but it could be something that needs to be treated by a veterinarian quickly. Pagination |
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