Digestive Problems in Dogs

Proper care accompanied by the right food and nutrition is a prerequisite for a healthy dog. But even with your care they can sometimes encounter unexpected digestive problems in dogs.

Many well-meaning owners don’t even realize that the poor nutrition choices they’ve made for these dogs are the reason their dog exhibits regular stomach problems.

Any disorder that reduces the digestion or absorption of food, or alters its passage through the digestive tract, can be called a digestive disorder. The digestive system includes all of the organs that are involved in taking in and processing food. It begins with the mouth and includes the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, rectum, and anus.

Offering all sorts of treats, table scraps, and other foods, may just be a bad idea. This is because it can quickly and easily lead to serious digestive stomach issues. including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other more pressing concerns.

When treating a digestive system problem, the veterinarian’s goal is to first identify the part of the system where the problem lies and then to determine the specific cause and appropriate treatment.

Causes of Digestive Problems in Dogs

Digestive (gastrointestinal) disorders generally impair your dog’s ability to digest and absorb all those great nutrients that keep them healthy. So what are some of the factors that could cause digestive disorders in dogs?

• Abrupt change in diet
• Trauma
• Indiscretionary eating
• Toxins
• Allergies
• Foreign objects
• Medications
• Infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites

Symptoms of Digestive Problems in Dogs

Gastrointestinal issues refer to disorders of the stomach (gastro-) or intestines, or other digestive problems. Here are the most common signs you’ll see if your pup has an upset stomach.

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea, with or without blood or mucus.
• Constipation.
• Increased gas or flatulence.
• A lack of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Fever.
• Dehydration.
• Abdominal pain (you may notice a hunched posture, a “praying” posture with the forelimbs and chest on the floor while the hind end is raised, or yelping when you try to pick up your pup).
• Abdominal enlargement/distension.
• Distress or inability to get comfortable

Treatment

A major part of treatment is often directed at the signs of the disease. Treatment is intended to relieve pain, correct abnormalities, and allow healing to occur.

Elimination of the cause of the disease may involve drugs that kill bacteria or parasites, antidotes for poisons, or surgery to correct defects or displacements.

Depending on the case, use of drugs to correct diarrhea or constipation is done . Although such drugs might seem to be a logical choice, they are not beneficial in every situation.

Replacement of fluids and electrolytes (salts) is necessary in cases where the animal is at risk of dehydration. Surgery may be required for cases where the digestive tract has become obstructed, twisted, or distended with gas, fluid, or food.

The importance of nutritious feeding

Digestive disorders are quite common and most clear up within a few days. But some dogs need long-term management because they have regular or permanent digestive problems.

Your dog’s food can have a significant impact on his GI tract health. Veterinarians recommend feeding dogs with this condition a food that is highly digestible to help prevent irritation to his sensitive stomach and intestines.

Also, high-soluble and insoluble fiber foods combined with moderate fat levels help support your dog’s intestine to function properly.