Gastrointestinal Diseases in Dogs

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• As with humans, dogs can suffer from IBS. No one fully understands what causes IBS, but a stressed-out dog is more likely to display signs, which include diarrhea, loose or frequent stools, bloating, flatulence, straining to defecate and occasional vomiting. The diagnosis is made after ruling out more serious causes through diagnostic procedures, lab work and diet changes.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• IBD is different from IBS. It involves the presence of inflammatory cells in the G.I. tract. There are four different types of canine IBD; your vet will need to run diagnostic tests and lab work to determine which variety your dog has. Symptoms of IBD include excessive diarrhea, frequent bowel movements with little feces passed, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite.

Parasitic G.I. diseases

• Parasitic infection can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms are the most common worm parasites. Giardia and coccidia are protozoans. Parasites are generally picked up from the environment. Worms and their eggs are easily transmitted in an infected dog's feces. Coccidia and giardia live in water. Coccidia is common to still water---empty out any containers of standing water your dog can reach. Parasites cause diarrhea, blood in stool, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite and dehydration. If your dog is infected with a worm parasite, you can sometimes see the worms by examining his stool.

Colitis

• Colitis is infection (inflammation) of the colon. It is usually caused by a reaction to a bacteria, parasite or food ingredient. Oftentimes, no cause is identified. No one knows why, but colitis has become increasingly common in recent years. Colitis is painful for your dog, especially when he tries to pass feces. He likely won't have diarrhea, but will seem to suffer from constipation and vomiting. There might be flecks of blood in his stool.

Treatments

• IBS is usually managed by a change in diet and reduction of stress. Probiotics are beneficial to humans with IBS; some vets and owners are now using probiotics for dogs as well. Some dog foods come with probiotics in their formula. IBD is more complex. It will require changing him to a lower-fat diet with a new protein and carbohydrate combination he hasn't eaten before (e.g. duck and sweet potato). Your vet will probably prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and perhaps drugs that work on bowel motility by slowing down or speeding up the passage of fecal matter. Steroids might be prescribed for inflammation if other medications and diet changes don't help. If IBD is severe, your dog might need an immune system suppressant for a time. Your vet might recommend supplementing with essential fatty acids such as Omega-3s found in fish oil to reduce future inflammation. Parasites are treated with a species-specific medication to eliminate the parasites. Your vet will perform follow-up fecal exams to ensure all the parasites are dead and then recommend a monthly preventative medication. Colitis is treated with antibiotics to heal the colon. Sometimes, steroids are added to reduce swelling and inflammation. Sulfa drugs are used for longer courses of treatment. Your dog will need a bland diet, such as cottage cheese and rice, while his colon heals. Some dogs will require a permanent diet of bland foods to prevent recurrence.