Canine Gastroenteritis: Symptoms and Recovery Tips

Most dogs will experience an upset stomach a few times (or more!) in their lifetime, and for the vast majority, they recover quickly with little to no intervention.

This article examines the various causes of gastroenteritis and how cases can be managed. You’ll learn how to recognise when your pet needs veterinary attention and what can be done to prevent gastroenteritis in the future.

What is Canine Gastroenteritis?

Canine gastroenteritis is an inflamed stomach, while enteritis is inflamed intestines; combine them, and we get the term ‘gastroenteritis’. Most cases are mild and self-limiting, but a small number of patients will need to see their vets and may even require hospitalisation.

Common Causes of Gastroenteritis in Dogs

A wide range of things can cause canine gastroenteritis. Often, the specific cause is not determined as most dogs recover quickly, and no diagnostic tests are run.

Dietary Indiscretion

Dogs are well-known for eating things they shouldn’t. This can include human food, plants, and grass, but it can also include more worrying things, such as the contents of a rubbish bin or another animal’s stools. Eating something their body is not designed to digest will inevitably make them unwell.

Infections

Your dog can pick up an infection such as Parvovirus, Salmonellosis, or roundworms. They can catch these infections from other dogs and their environment. If you have more than one dog, it is essential to determine if the cause of the upset stomach is infectious.

Abrupt Dietary Changes

For most dogs, suddenly changing their food will cause them to develop some loose poo and bloating. This can largely be avoided by gradually transitioning to a new food over several days. This is most important in puppies, who tend to have sensitive stomachs.

Food Intolerance

An estimated 1-2% of dogs will suffer from food allergies or intolerances, the most common being chicken, beef, dairy, soy, and wheat.

Intolerances develop in the first few years of life for most. In addition to signs of stomach upset, owners may notice symptoms such as itchy skin and lethargy.

Stress or Anxiety

A period of stress more often leads to colitis (an inflamed lower gut) and bloody or mucus-filled stool.

However, it can also affect the upper digestive tract. For example, a dog with separation anxiety who has been left alone for several hours may experience a stomach upset.

Exposure to Toxins or Chemicals

Of course, toxicity will frequently lead to vomiting and diarrhoea, as the body tries to rid itself of the poison.

Depending on what has been ingested, you will likely see other signs such as lethargy, disorientation, dilated pupils, panting, or weakness.

Recognising the Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

Typically, these patients will have intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea and will be relatively well in between these episodes. Most bouts won’t last long, about 24-48 hours.

Vomiting

Usually, the first few vomits contain food, and as the stomach empties, the vomit becomes more foamy and may contain yellow or green bile.

Less commonly, a small amount of blood may be seen if there is a lot of inflammation within the stomach or food pipe.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea in dogs tends to follow vomiting. Food passes too quickly through the GI tract, so there is not enough time for the water to be absorbed and the nutrients to be digested adequately.

The stool is watery and can contain undigested food, mucus, or a small amount of blood. For some dogs, they urgently need to pass the poo and may soil indoors.

Loss of Appetite

Unsurprisingly, alongside the nausea and abdominal cramps that accompany vomiting and diarrhoea, a dog may not be eager to eat. This is not bad, as we want to rest the gut for a short time.

Lethargy

Most dogs are a bit less energetic than usual and will want to reserve their energy and spend more time sleeping. We should encourage rest as their bodies recover.

Abdominal Pain or Tenderness

Though not always the case, some dogs will have acute abdominal pain due to inflammation and gas buildup. They may stretch more, tense their abdominal muscles, or resent being touched on their abdomen.

If your dog has a swollen abdomen, this could be indicative that there is more going on, such as a case of GDV (bloat), heart disease, or a uterus infection (pyometra).

Dehydration Symptoms

Those who have lost a lot of fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea can rapidly become dehydrated. These dogs have dry or tacky gums and a prolonged skin tent (when loose skin is pinched, it takes longer than it should to return to its original position).

A dehydrated dog will lack energy and may even have sunken eyes or thick drool. When signs of dehydration are present, your dog should see an emergency vet.

Diagnosing Gastroenteritis in Dogs

Most diagnoses are reached based on a clinical history and physical exam. For those who are very unwell, a vet may run additional tests, such as a blood test, stool analysis, and abdominal imaging, to get a definitive diagnosis and ensure the right treatment plan is in place.

Treatment and Recovery from Canine Gastroenteritis

Many dogs will not need specific therapy and can be managed from home with a bland diet, rest, and plenty of fresh water.

Supportive care

As your dog recovers, let it take it easy. While they need to go outside to go to the toilet, we do not want to exercise or overexert them.

Those with diarrhoea may benefit from a probiotic, anti-diarrhoea treatment. These usually come in a powder or paste form and can be purchased from vets or pet shops. Studies have shown that this can speed up recovery from diarrhoea in the general population.

Medications

For dogs who need to see a vet, treatment may include an anti-nausea injection, antacids, and/or antibiotics. During vomiting, these will typically be given in injectable form.

Home Care and Recovery Tips

If your dog is vomiting, fasting for about 12 hours from home makes sense. However, this would only be the case for healthy adult dogs, as fasting a young puppy is not advised.

Food should be bland and digestible, so small but frequent meals of boiled chicken, rice, white fish, and sweet potato tend to work well. There are also veterinary ‘gastrointestinal’ diets available.

You can replace the fluid lost by offering plenty of water and adding water to meals. It is also a good idea to provide rehydration solutions or dog-safe broths.

When is Gastroenteritis an Emergency?

Several ‘red flag’ signs would mean we want the patient seen quickly.

Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhoea

If your dog is vomiting or passing diarrhoea frequently and is unable to hold down water, it will quickly become dehydrated and develop low blood sugar. The risk is higher in young, elderly, or unwell dogs, but any dog risks becoming dehydrated when unable to keep fluids down.

Blood Present in Vomit or Stools

We sometimes see a small amount of blood, even in patients who seem to be coping well. These dogs should be assessed in person as it can indicate a more serious underlying issue (such as a gastric ulcer).

Signs of Severe Dehydration or Collapse

As dehydration progresses, your dog will become lethargic and less reactive. In addition to dry gums and sunken eyes, it can experience a rapid heartbeat, weakness, and even collapse.

At this point, their circulation is affected, and this is a true emergency. These dogs require intravenous fluids; the sooner, the better.

Suspected Ingestion of Toxins or Foreign Objects

If there is a chance your dog has eaten something toxic or that would cause an obstruction, they need to see their vet urgently. Sometimes, your vet will induce vomiting, so the substance is brought back up quickly before causing harm.

Most dogs will also need supportive care through IV fluids and other medication. For small intestinal obstructions, surgical removal is sometimes required.

Preventing Gastroenteritis in Dogs

There are several things that owners can do to minimise their dog’s risk of developing gastroenteritis, such as:

• Feeding them an appropriate diet and making any food changes slowly
• Keeping them up to date with their vaccines and worming
• Preventing them from licking or eating things they should not by, for example, preventing access to bins and not having toxic plants within the home.
• Try to prevent your dog from scavenging when outdoors. For repeat offenders, it may be best to keep them on a lead at all times.

Learn More About Canine Gastroenteritis

We are always happy to help you contact us if your dog is showing signs of gastroenteritis.

We can help you figure out why this is happening, discuss how to help your dog from home and book a consultation if deemed appropriate.

FAQs

Is canine gastroenteritis contagious to other dogs or humans?

Yes, it could be. Certain infections, including Salmonellosis, are quickly passed to people, so it is essential to maintain good hygiene and to wash hands well with warm, soapy water after handling your poorly pooch or their poo.

How long does gastroenteritis usually last in dogs?

This is variable and depends on the cause as well as your dog’s overall health, but usually just a few days.

Can I treat my dog’s gastroenteritis at home?

Most cases can be managed from home and will not last long. However, if your dog is very young, unwell, or elderly or if the gastroenteritis is not resolving quickly, have it assessed by a vet.