by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: May 17, 2008

Have you ever wondered what a dog with Gastroenteritis is really going through? By looking at the origins of the word "Gastroenteritis" we very likely will get an idea.
"Gastro" is the the Greek word for stomach, "Enteron" stands for intestine, and "itis" stands for inflammation, put the words all together and you will likely have a dog with inflammation of the stomach and the intestine. Not a very nice picture indeed.

A dog with gastroenteritis will very likely be rushed to the vet's office or emergency room because it's symptoms can be really concerning for the owner. I have personally had a puppy affected by gastroenteritis and he quickly started deteriorating as he moaned in pain listless. Below are key symptoms that may suggest gastroenteritis in a dog:

SYMPTOMS
Copious vomiting
Copious diarrhea
Inappetence
Lethargy
Listlessness
Dehydration
Pr esence of blood in stool
Shock

DIAGNOSIS
A diagnosis for gastroenteritis is obtained mostly by exclusion. This means that other conditions producing similar symptoms are tested for first. When a puppy presents with vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the stool, a Parvo virus test should be run. Other conditions to be tested for would be ulcers, foreign body obstruction, presence of parasites, coagulation disorders, etc. So a series of tests will need to be run to rule out other possible conditions before coming to the conclusion that a dog is affected by gastroenteritis.
Many times dogs suffering from gastroenteritis will show a high red blood cell count and this may be the ultimate proof that will help the veterinarian confirm a suspected case of gastroenteritis.

But exactly what causes gastroenteritis in a dog?
Unfortunately, more often than not the cause may remain unknown (idiopathic). There are suspected triggers though that can provide some clarity on gastroenteritis flare ups. Here are some:

CAUSES
Stress
Abrupt diet changes
Parasites
Dietary intolerance
Food indiscretion
Side effects from medications
Exposure to toxins

While it may be normal for a dog to occasionally exhibit vomiting and diarrhea, dogs affected by gastroenteritis will show more dramatic and abrupt symptoms and the condition may not resolve on its own by offering a bland diet or fasting. Instead, vet treatment may be required to provide fluids and electrolytes and prescribe appropriate medications to sooth the stomach.

When blood is detected in the stools the dog may be suffering from HGE which stands for Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Aggressive supportive care is required

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