Gastrointestinal problems in dogs: Symptoms, causes and treatment options

In this article you will learn the following:

• What symptoms can occur with gastrointestinal problems
• What causes gastrointestinal problems can have
• What home remedies can be used for gastrointestinal problems
• When to seek veterinary advice

Do you find that your furry friend's tummy looks bloated or do you notice that your four-legged friend is hunched over? These symptoms may be signs of gastrointestinal problems in your furry friend. Find out what the causes may be and what home remedies you can use to relieve your furry friend's pain here:

The problem with gastrointestinal complaints in our furry friends is that the symptoms are not always entirely clear and individual symptoms can be the cause of various gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms are often very general signs of discomfort. Typical symptoms may include the following:

• increased, unpleasant mouth odor
• diarrhea or other changes in the feces
• vomiting or retching
• restlessness, constant wandering (in combination with profuse salivation, unsuccessful retching and pale gums, this may be a sign of gastric torsion or intestinal obstruction)
• frequent licking, swallowing, Salivating or smacking (common causes of heartburn)
• bloating
• sensitivity to touch in the abdomen
• abdominal noises such as rumbling or gurgling
• severe weight gain or loss
• Loss of appetite
• Curvature of the back or a cramped posture
• High need for sleep

In addition, signs such as increased eating of grass may indicate that your furry friend wants to vomit.

Disturbed digestion or the gastrointestinal problem itself is often a symptom of another illness. This does not always have to be serious. Causes such as the administration of medication, vaccination reactions or allergies and intolerances can also be causes of gastrointestinal problems. On the other hand, gastrointestinal problems can also be triggered by gastrointestinal viruses, autoimmune diseases or poisoning. For this reason, common causes of gastrointestinal problems are listed here:

Stress can affect our pets' stomachs. Changes in everyday life, such as new pets or a new environment, can be the decisive factor. Stress can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.

Chronic gastritis is a common chronic gastrointestinal disease . If left untreated, it can lead to stomach ulcers or even gastric ruptures. Chronic gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining in which an overproduction of stomach acid attacks the stomach wall. The destruction of the cells causes inflammation. If gastritis persists untreated for a long time, the stomach wall becomes thinner and thinner and can even lead to a gastric rupture, i.e. a tear in the stomach wall. In this case, a clinic should be visited immediately so that the stomach can be surgically closed and the abdominal cavity flushed.

Sudden food changes, spoiled food, food that is too cold, but also poor quality food can lead to stomach problems. Therefore, food changes should always be made gradually so that your pet's stomach can get used to the new food. Food stored in the fridge should be kept outside for half an hour before feeding or a small dash of warm water should be added.

Food allergies can also be a trigger for stomach upsets. For example, your four-legged friend may be particularly allergic to animal proteins, but also to wheat, soy or corn. To rule out food allergies, an exclusion diet should be carried out in which potential allergens are omitted from the food.

Some medications, including antibiotics, can severely irritate the gastrointestinal tract. If antibiotics are given for a long period of time, stomach protection should therefore also be fed. This can be given to you by your veterinary practice in the form of a tablet or powder.

Some medications can irritate the stomach. It may therefore be necessary to give an additional stomach protection preparation when giving certain or prolonged medication. If your four-legged friend shows signs of an upset stomach after prolonged medication, seek veterinary advice. Please do not discontinue medication without authorization.

In the event of a gastric torsion or intestinal obstruction, you should visit a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible, as these conditions can lead to the death of your furry friend within hours. Unsuccessful retching, especially spitting up water again, white or blue mucous membranes in the mouth, restlessness, a hard abdominal wall, heavy panting and increased salivation are indications that you should go to the vet. In a gastric torsion, as the name suggests, the dog's stomach twists so that blood vessels, the stomach inlet and the stomach outlet are constricted. As a result, the gases can no longer escape and the stomach becomes bloated. Gastric torsion is much less likely in small dog breeds than in large dogs.

Intestinal obstruction prevents the passage of food, for example due to a foreign body. As a result, gases can no longer escape from the intestine.

Parasites such as giardia and other worms can cause gastrointestinal problems. Our furry friends are therefore given a worming treatment so that they remain worm-free even when sniffing around in the woods. Pelt-noses from abroad in particular tend to suffer from giardia, as these multiply via the feces. This can lead to inflammation of the mucous membranes, especially in young dogs. This is particularly noticeable in diarrhea.

In the case of kidney disease, substances that should actually be excreted by the kidneys remain in the body, causing damage to the stomach and/or intestinal wall and leading to gastrointestinal problems. Kidney disease can be caused by severe blood loss, poisoning or infections. Kidney disease can also become chronic . A common symptom of kidney disease is loss of appetite.

Cirrhosis or inflammation of the liver can also be the cause of gastrointestinal problems. Here too, loss of appetite is a symptom, but bleeding or severe vomiting can also occur in your furry friend. A veterinary practice can examine your furry friend for liver problems using an ultrasound or blood test.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it is advisable to start by switching to a light diet. You can feed your furry friend rice with tofu and carrots, as this combination is particularly gentle on their stomach. Make sure you cook all the ingredients long enough. In addition to this light diet, you can give your four-legged friend cooled chamomile tea, as chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect. You should also make sure that your furry friend drinks plenty of fluids.

In the event of prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or pain, you should take your furry friend to the vet. For example, you may need to collect your furry friend's feces to check for worms or giardia. Blood in the feces or vomit are also signs that you should visit a veterinary practice. Due to the wide-ranging and non-specific symptoms of stomach problems, it's better to visit the vet more often than not enough.