Gastroenteritis in Dogs: Symptoms, Recovery, and More

What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?

Gastroenteritis in dogs is a common condition that refers to inflammation (swelling) within a pup’s stomach and small intestine.

Because of this inflammation, dogs have vomiting and diarrhea, which causes them to lose important electrolytes, like sodium, as well as water.

Dogs of any age and breed can get gastroenteritis. However, small-breed dogs like Yorkshire Terriers are at an increased risk because of their sensitive digestive systems.

Gastroenteritis should be treated as a medical emergency. If it is left untreated, dogs can become severely dehydrated.

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Symptoms of gastroenteritis in dogs may include the following:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Blood in stool

• Dehydration     

• Lethargy

• Decreased appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

• Fever

Causes of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

The causes for gastroenteritis in dogs range in severity.

Some of the more common causes include:

• Foreign body ingestion—Dogs who have eaten something they shouldn’t have—such as pieces of a dog toy—can get gastroenteritis as their body tries to get rid of the foreign object. Sometimes, these objects can cause an obstruction (blockage) in the stomach or intestines that increases inflammation.

• Infection—Overgrowth of bacteria, such as clostridium, within the gut can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Likewise, viral infections, including parvovirus, commonly cause gastroenteritis.

• Intestinal parasites—Dogs with parasites, such as roundworms or hookworms, can get gastroenteritis.

• Diet—Dogs who eat table scraps, a large number of high-fat treats, or whose diet is abruptly changed may get inflammation within their stomach and intestines. This may also happen if a dog gets into the garbage or other spoiled food.

• Breed predisposition—Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis happens when there is blood in the diarrhea and vomit and the dog shows signs of significant dehydration. This is common in Dachshunds and other small-breed dogs.

• Food allergy— Dogs who are allergic to a certain ingredient within their food can have inflammation in their intestines that leads to vomiting and diarrhea.

• Toxins—If a dog eats or drinks a toxic substance, such as an onion or houseplant, she will have vomiting and/or diarrhea to try to get rid of the toxin.

• Cancer—Dogs who have gastrointestinal cancers can experience vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. Sometimes, their vomit or stool is bloody.

• Liver disease—If the liver does not work well, inflammation can occur throughout the stomach and intestines.

• Kidney disease—Dogs with kidney disease often get diarrhea and vomiting since their kidneys are not working correctly, which can lead to gastrointestinal ulcers.  

How Veterinarians Diagnose Gastroenteritis in Dogs

To diagnose gastroenteritis in dogs, a veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to check for obvious abnormalities, such as dehydration or abdominal pain.

During this time, pet parents can describe:

• Their dog’s symptoms

• When symptoms began

• If their dog has any underlying medical conditions

• If their dog ate anything unusual recently

If there is a history of vomiting and diarrhea, gastroenteritis can be diagnosed based on these symptoms.

To figure out the underlying cause for the gastroenteritis, a veterinarian may perform the following tests: 

• Blood work: A small sample of the dog’s blood is tested for abnormalities, such as toxin exposure, underlying disease, dehydration, and infection.

• Fecal tests: In a fecal float, a sample of feces is processed and viewed under a microscope to check for intestinal parasite eggs. For a fecal smear, a small sample of feces is smeared onto a glass slide, stained, and then viewed under a microscope to look for overgrowth of bacteria.

• Abdominal X-ray: If a foreign object is suspected, an X-ray can be used to see the inside of the stomach and intestines.

• Abdominal ultrasound: A veterinarian places a probe onto the dog’s belly to see the intestines and find inflammation or cancer.

• Diet trial: If a food allergy is suspected, a new protein diet is given to a dog for six to eight weeks to see if symptoms stop. The dog’s old food is then reintroduced, and if symptoms recur, a food allergy is diagnosed.  

Treatment of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Treatment for gastroenteritis in dogs depends on the underlying cause.

In most cases, this condition is curable with the right treatment, but in dogs with chronic underlying diseases, vomiting and diarrhea can only be managed.

In general, most dogs with this condition will be helped by the following:

• Fluid therapy: Dogs are given fluids into their vein or underneath their skin to restore electrolytes and rehydrate.

• Antibiotics: If an underlying bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics like metronidazole may be given.

• Probiotics: Supplements, such as FortiFlora®, can restore the gut microbiota and improve vomiting and diarrhea.

• Deworming medication: If the dog is diagnosed with intestinal parasites, deworming medications such as pyrantel pamoate may be given.

• Antiemetics: Medications, such as maropitant, are given to control nausea and vomiting.

• Antacids: These medications, such as famotidine, can be given to reduce acid made in the stomach that can lead to nausea and vomiting.

• Surgery: Dogs who have eaten a foreign object may need surgery to remove it and stop gastroenteritis. Likewise, some dogs with cancer of their stomach or intestines need surgery.

• Bland diet: Feeding the dog a bland diet, such as Purina® Pro Plan® EN Gastroenteric®, can settle their digestive tract and clear up vomiting and diarrhea.

Recovery and Management of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Recovery from gastroenteritis in dogs depends largely on the underlying cause.

• Most dogs who have eaten something they shouldn’t have and get the right treatment recover in a day or two.

• Infections are generally healed in seven to 10 days.

• Intestinal parasites can take anywhere from a week up to three months to be removed, and dogs can have occasional episodes of gastroenteritis during recovery. 

• Dogs with chronic underlying diseases can have recurring bouts of gastroenteritis that need frequent management over time.

• Food allergies can be hard to manage, and many dogs have a few months of symptoms while figuring out the best diet.  

Prevention of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Pet parents can help prevent gastroenteritis in dogs by:

• Feeding dogs a high-quality dog food, such as Hill’s® Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Sensitive Skin Dry Dog Food

• Avoiding giving their dog any table scraps

• Ensuring no foreign objects are accidentally eaten

• Taking your pup for regular veterinary checkups to help overall health and wellness