Canine Colitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon, the longest part of the large intestine. It is a common medical issue with a wide range of causes. Some refer to this condition as ‘large bowel diarrhoea’.

For the majority, signs of an episode are short-lived and easy to treat. However, certain dogs will continue to suffer from bouts of colitis throughout their life.

What is Canine Colitis?

Canine colitis results in diarrhoea, which typically contains mucus and fresh, red blood. Dogs may strain when passing the poop and show signs of discomfort such as yelping, straining, or bum scooting.

Patients feel an urgency when passing stool and often need to pass it frequently, with little notice. This can result in accidents within the home. Though not typical, some dogs will also experience vomiting.

Common Causes of Canine Colitis

We won’t always know why a dog develops colitis, and many patients improve without us ever uncovering the reason why. However, for a dog who is suffering from repeat episodes, identifying the cause is crucial in managing the disease.

Dietary Indiscretion or Food Intolerance

For some, food is the trigger. They may be intolerant to a certain ingredient (such as chicken or egg) or have pinched some inappropriate food, such as cat food, spoiled bin contents, dairy, or greasy meat.

Those with food allergies typically have additional signs, such as vomiting, itchy skin, and rashes. When food is suspected as a trigger, it is worth keeping a food diary and noting any bowel issues that occur.

Parasites

Parasites like whipworm, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are prevalent within the UK. They are more common in puppies but can occur in any age group. As well as bloody stool and straining, signs can include abdominal bloating, a dull coat, and excess hunger.

Infections

Bacterial infections can be implicated in colitis, including Salmonella and Clostridium. Those who are exposed to more bacteria, such as dogs on a raw food diet, would be at higher risk.

As these infections can be passed to humans, care must be taken when handling the dog and cleaning up after it. People who are young, old, or immune-suppressed are at most risk.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress has a big influence on the digestive tract. Chronic stress can lead to an impaired immune system, while more acute stress diverts blood from the intestines, potentially leading to a localised inflammation.

More recently, we’ve also learned how stress negatively impacts the gut microbiome and can lead to a proliferation of ‘bad’ bacteria.

Autoimmune Disorders

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is an inflammation of the dog’s GI system that usually targets the colon. As well as diarrhoea and vomiting, dogs may experience weight loss, flatulence and a loss of appetite.

Certain breeds, including the Basenji, German Shepherd, and Irish Setter, are genetically more at risk. Some cases respond well to antibiotics, while others can be managed with diet alone. Idiopathic IBD (one that has no known cause) will usually require anti-inflammatory drugs to manage.

How to Recognise Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs

The clinical signs of colitis are relatively easy to recognise, and there are a few key signs to be aware of.

The textbook symptom seen with colitis is a bloody, mucusy (slimy) stool. Dogs will strain, and pass the stool more often than usual. The stool is usually passed in small quantities and is poorly-formed or loose. Generally, the blood is passed towards the end of the bowel movement.

We may also see flatulence, vomiting, and a change in appetite. More chronic cases of colitis may lead to weight loss and trouble gaining weight.

When to Contact a Vet

If your dog is displaying signs of colitis or you have seen blood in their stool, it is advised you contact their vet. This would not be an emergency if they are stable and happy to eat and go on their walks. If it is late at night and your local vet is closed, you should be able to wait until the morning to have your pet seen.

However, if you’re concerned your dog is not coping, don’t hesitate to ring the emergency vet. This would be warranted if, e.g., your dog is passing large amounts of blood, they have pale gums, or they seem weak or very lethargic.

How to Diagnose Colitis in Dogs

A one-off bout of colitis may not require any diagnostic tests, and your vet will just treat your dog symptomatically. However, if your dog is experiencing a number of episodes, it is sensible to determine the trigger and confirm that colitis is the correct diagnosis.

Veterinary Assessment

Your vet will listen to your dog’s medical history, discuss the recent signs they have been experiencing, and check them from nose to tail. This will include assessing their hydration levels, palpating their abdomen for any evidence of pain or inflammation, a rectal exam and a temperature check.

Common Diagnostic Tests

Your vet is likely to perform a blood test, stool analysis, and imaging of the abdomen. This may mean X-rays, an ultrasound scan, and/or a colonoscopy.

The stool sample will be analysed for any parasites or infection. Ideally, this would be a three day pooled sample, meaning some stool is collected each day for three consecutive days. This is important, as analysing a single stool sample could produce a false negative result.

Best Treatment Options for Canine Colitis

Each individual will have their own treatment plan, as colitis can have a number of causes. Non-specific treatment can include:

• A bland or hydrolysed (hypoallergenic) diet
• Prebiotics and probiotics
• Fibre supplements
• Providing de-worming treatment if overdue
• Maintaining good hydration

For some individuals, antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories will be issued. However, they are not needed in every case. Indeed, this study highlighted that antibiotics can have a negative effect on some patients.

How to Prevent Colitis in Dogs

If your dog has had more than one flare-up of colitis, you may need to start implementing prevention strategies from home.

Regular Diet and Feeding Schedule

Stick to the diet that suits your pet, which may mean one that is free of their allergens, enriched with probiotics, and/or high in fibre.

Avoid giving them rich treats or human foods, sticking to a more simple diet. Where possible, try to adhere to regular feeding times too.

Parasite Prevention

It is sensible to keep your pet up to date with their routine parasite prevention. This is especially true if they’re fed a raw diet, have contact with a lot of other pets or have recently had fleas.

Stress Management Tips

Stress isn’t always easy to avoid, but it helps to keep your dog on a schedule and to try and keep their environment calm and predictable for them. One example of stress management would be having your dog cared for at home by a pet sitter, rather than putting them in kennels when you go away.

For those prone to anxiety they may benefit from things like calming supplements and plug-ins or collars containing dog-appeasing pheromones. Dogs also greatly benefit from exercise and mental stimulation, which help keep cortisol levels down.

Get Help With Your Dog’s Colitis

Contact us to discuss your dog and any concerns you may have about their gastrointestinal health or stool. We understand that colitis can be a tricky condition to manage, and we are here to help.