Gastrointestinal & Digestive Disorders in Dogs: Types & Causes

Colitis: By definition, Colitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the colon. It is most frequently caused by whipworms (a parasite), tumours or polyps, a change in food, allergies (including those to food), swallowed foreign objects and certain other diseases. Colitis is more common in dogs under the age of 5 and causes inflammation of the large intestine resulting in frequent, painful passing of feaces. Diarrhoea may contain mucus and blood.

Constipation: This has several causes, including lack of exercise, dehydration and eating indigestible materials such as bones or other foreign objects, or very low fibre foods.

Diarrhoea: Caused by infections, internal parasites, stress, a change in dog food, table scraps or rich snacks, eating spoiled food from the garbage and body organ dysfunction.

Pancreatitis: An inflammation or infection of the pancreas (an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach). Origins are frequently unknown. Potential causes are feeding foods high in fat or rich table foods, infections, disease or trauma.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: This condition is characterised by weight loss, increased appetite and large amounts of soft faeces.

Small intestinal malabsorption: Inflammation of the small intestine impairs nutrient absorption and results in persistent diarrhoea, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Does my dog have a digestive disorder?

The most common signs of digestive disorders are soft stools or diarrhoea. If your dog has digestive issues, you may also notice some or all of the following signs.

• Vomiting
• Regurgitation
• Flatulence
• Weakness
• Diarrhoea/Constipation

Chronic GI disease can be a debilitating problem for many dogs and requires testing and a thorough diagnosis from your veterinarian.

IMPORTANT: If your dog has diarrhoea or is vomiting, they may become severely dehydrated. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the signs above.

Treatment: The importance of nutrition

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 their GI tract health. A number of different nutritional approaches could be recommended depending on the specific diagnosis and the signs/symptoms. The main goal is to alleviate your dog’s symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Veterinarians recommend feeding dogs with this condition a food that is highly digestible to help prevent irritation to the sensitive stomach and intestines. Soluble and insoluble fibre combined with moderate fat levels also help support your dog’s intestine to function properly. It is also important to monitor your dog’s hydration during the recovery phase to help correct any fluid deficiencies.

Because several of these gastrointestinal conditions may be ongoing, long-term nutritional management of the disorder may be required. For accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian for a recommendation of the best food for your dog’s digestive health.

Digestive Health Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian:

1. Are there any foods I should avoid giving my dog to ensure a healthy digestive system?
   • Ask how human food (such as chocolate) can affect your dog’s health.
2. Would you recommend a Hill’s Prescription Diet or Science Plan dog food for my dog’s digestive health?
   • Ask about special nutritional needs for your dog
   • How much / how often you should feed the recommended food to your dog
   • Discuss which treats you can feed your dog with the recommended food
3. How quickly should I expect to see signs of improvement in my dog’s condition?
4. Can you provide me with written instructions or a handout on digestive health?
5. What is the best way (email/phone) to reach you or your hospital if I have questions?
   • Ask if you need a follow-up appointment.
   • Ask if a reminder email or notice will be sent.