Canine Gastroenteritis
📝 Summary
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining, showing up as digestive upset, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, or toxemia. It can be primary or secondary, and the main job at home is to rest the gut, then reintroduce food and water carefully.
1 What Causes It
Gastroenteritis is a common dog illness — inflammation of the stomach or deeper intestinal tissue. It falls into two types: primary and secondary. Causes range from irregular feeding and overeating, to spoiled or rotten food, irritating medications, and parasites or infectious disease. In short, anything that disturbs the gut can tip a dog into gastroenteritis.
2 Signs to Watch For
Expect lowered appetite, dullness, poor digestion, vomiting and diarrhea, a rising temperature, mucus or blood in the stool, unsteady walking, drooling, foaming at the mouth, and cramping. Left untreated, it progresses to severe dehydration and can be fatal, so early care matters.
3 Home Care and Treatment
Because vomiting and diarrhea dehydrate fast, withhold food for about 24 hours, then offer small amounts of water. Once the dog keeps water down and seems ready to eat, a veterinarian may suggest a combination of a gut protectant, an intestinal soother, and an antibiotic to settle the inflammation and protect the stomach lining. Always follow your vet’s exact guidance rather than self-medicating.
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