GI Problems in Dogs

Dogs suffer from many of the same gastrointestinal problems as we do. After all, we are both mammals, even though we walk on two legs and our faithful friends walk on four. Your dog can experience Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, Diverticulitis, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis, Pancreatitis, Ulcers, Mega Colon, and even the occasional flatulence.

The main difference between our digestive tracts and that of our furry family members is that we receive faster feedback on whether something we ate agrees with us. We know almost immediately when we’ve eaten too much or the wrong thing. Unfortunately, we often don’t realize that Fido shouldn’t eat Food A until it’s been upchucked all over our carpet. This means that by the time we seek medical care for Fido, his condition could already be quite advanced, making treatment more difficult.

Gastrointestinal problems in dogs can be classified into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute issues usually arise from something they ate within the last few hours, while chronic problems are persistent and require monitoring throughout the dog’s life. Unfortunately, an acute gastrointestinal issue can sometimes evolve into a chronic condition, leading to a lifetime of vigilance.

So, how do you know if your dog is developing a GI problem? It can be tricky to read, and often by the time your carpet needs a cleaning, the pooch is already quite ill.

Early Signs of Intestinal Upset Include:

• Abdominal noises: Rumblings, gurgling, popping, farting, and burping could indicate something is going on in your dog’s tummy. Unless these sounds are common for your pooch, be prepared for some sort of outcome!
• Grass eating: Many dogs resort to eating grass when they feel off. They do this to induce vomiting since they can’t put their paws down their throats. If you see your dog eat grass, first keep him outside until he vomits twice, then monitor his condition. If he wants to eat right after, he was likely just suffering from some acid stomach. However, if the grass eating doesn’t induce vomiting, carefully monitor him, and if other symptoms develop, take him to the vet. If he’s frantic, hyper-salivating, or extremely agitated, get him to the vet immediately. He may have eaten something harmful that needs to come out ASAP. Grass eating may bring up the offending object (take it with you to the vet), but don’t take chances. The vet may induce vomiting, treat for toxin ingestion with charcoal, or provide hospitalization.
• Vomiting and diarrhea: These are classic signs that something’s wrong with your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the severity, either monitor for further symptoms or take him to the vet as soon as possible.
• Excessive drinking: Dogs with an upset stomach may drink more water than usual. If this increased thirst is manageable, monitor him for further symptoms. If the drinking is frantic and followed by immediate vomiting, get him to the hospital right away.
• Loss of appetite: For many dogs with a strong food drive, refusing to eat is a clear sign that something is wrong. If the problem persists for six to eight hours, take him to the vet for further evaluation.
• Running a fever or feeling ‘hot’ to the touch: This could be a sign of infection, dehydration, or something else wrong. Take him to the vet for a full work-up, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.
• Bloating: Bloating can occur for several reasons—your dog may have eaten too much, drank too much, consumed something high in fiber, or could be suffering from Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV). While this is not strictly a gastrointestinal problem, it is a life-threatening condition where the stomach flips over, cutting off blood supply to the digestive tract. It requires immediate surgery to correct. Symptoms include unproductive vomiting (attempts to vomit but nothing comes up), weakness, collapse, difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate, and eventual death. If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to the emergency hospital immediately.

If your dog is unable to stand or is ‘flat out,’ take him to the vet immediately, regardless of other symptoms.

Learning to accurately read your dog’s health is just as important as reading his body language and moods. Remember, you are the best judge of when something doesn’t seem right. Early detection of gastrointestinal issues can keep your dog, and your wallet, happy!