Signs & Symptoms of Colitis in a Dog

The colon, also known as the large or lower intestine, is an important part of a dog's digestive system. Beneficial bacteria in the colon aid digestion. The colon also is responsible for water absorption and the storage of feces. When a dog's colon becomes inflamed, it is referred to as colitis. There are several symptoms of this condition.

  1. Symptoms

    • Although dogs with colitis frequently behave normally, there are several bowel symptoms of the condition. Although the main symptom of canine colitis is diarrhea, reluctance to defecate because of pain can lead to constipation. Dogs with colitis often have frequent bowel movements and might display a sense of urgency. They might evacuate only a small amount of stool and might appear to strain after a bowel movement. Vomiting might also occur.

    Signs

    • Because a dog with colitis usually does not lose weight and behaves normally, the best sign to look for is the condition of the stool. Examine your dog's stool to see if it appears normal at first and then becomes loose. It might appear runny but not watery. Because the inflamed colon sometimes tears, there might be blood or mucus in the stool.

    Causes

    • If the symptoms appear suddenly after boarding or moving your dog, it might have stress-related colitis. A sudden-onset colitis also can be caused by an intestinal parasite or infection. Ingestion of an abrasive foreign object might also lead to inflammation of the colon. If your dog is displaying colitis symptoms for a month or more, it ight have chronic colitis. Boxers are especially prone to a type of chronic colitis called histolytic ulcerative colitis, which is caused by an immune response. Whipworms, an intestinal parasite, can also cause chronic colitis as can food allergies.

    Diagnosis

    • If your dog's colitis continues for more than a few days, a veterinary examination might be necessary. In addition to a rectal and fecal exam, your veterinarian can take a blood profile and test for parasites. A biopsy of the colon wall might be performed, especially if your veterinarian suspects ulcers. If you suspect your dog might have food allergies, try an elimination diet. Place your dog on a special high-protein diet with no other food or treats for eight to 10 weeks to see if the colitis subsides.

    Treatment

    • Place your dog on a bland diet to ease inflammation. Home-cooked or commercially available high-protein diets often are beneficial. Supplementing the high-protein food with dietary fiber might help with your dog's colitis symptoms. Other possible dietary additives include carbohydrates called fructooligosaccharides and probiotics, or helpful bacteria, that aid digestion. If your dog does not respond to dietary changes, see your veterinarian. Anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs might be needed. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary.