Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Gastritis in Dogs (Part 1)

Gastritis

Gastritis can be divided into two types: acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Acute gastritis is more common in dogs.

[Causes]

First, due to overeating, or eating spoiled food, foreign objects, or irritating drugs, etc.

Second, it occurs secondary to certain infectious and parasitic diseases.

Third, the gastric mucosa is stimulated over a long period, anemia, lack of gastric acid, malnutrition, etc.

[Key points of diagnosis]

Depression, vomiting, and abdominal pain are the main symptoms in affected dogs. In the early stage, the vomit is mainly chyme, and later it becomes foamy mucus and gastric juice. Depending on the cause, the vomit may contain blood, bile, or even mucosal fragments. Affected dogs have increased thirst, but vomit immediately after drinking water. Appetite is markedly reduced or food is refused, and restlessness may occur due to abdominal pain. When vomiting is severe, symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance may appear. When examining the oral cavity, a yellow-white tongue coating can often be seen and an odor can be smelled.

A diagnosis can be made based on the medical history and clinical symptoms.

[Prevention and treatment measures]

(1) Restrict diet: generally, food should be withheld for at least 24 hours. At this time, if there is no vomiting, small amounts of clean water or ice cubes may be given several times, just enough to keep the oral cavity moist. Then feed sugar-salt rice water, or a high-sugar, low-fat, low-protein, easily digestible liquid food, and gradually return to a normal diet after several days.

(2) Clear the stomach contents: in the early stage of the disease, when harmful substances still remain in the stomach, emetics may be used. For example, subcutaneous injection of apomorphine hydrochloride 3-5 mg, or oral administration of ipecac powder 0.5-3 g, or tartar emetic 0.05-0.3 g. In the later stage, when harmful substances have entered the intestines, laxatives should be used. For example, administer castor oil 10-20 mL by oral drench.

(3) Sedation and antiemetic: when vomiting is severe in affected dogs and there is a risk of dehydration, sedation and antiemetic treatment should be given. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride 1.1-6.6 mg/kg body weight per dose may be injected intramuscularly, or atropine sulfate 0.3-1 mg per dose may be injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously, 2-3 times daily.

(4) Stomachic and analgesic: for stomachic treatment, dilute hydrochloric acid 2 mL, saccharated pepsin 3 g, and water 200 mL may be used, divided for oral administration over two days. To reduce acid and relieve pain, synthetic aluminum silicate 3-5 g, belladonna extract 0.04-0.05 g, amylase 0.6 g, and condensed milk 1 mL may be used, divided into 3 portions, administered orally 3 times daily or mixed into food and fed.

(5) Timely fluid replacement: when vomiting is severe, fluids should be replaced promptly; for example, 5% glucose solution or compound sodium chloride solution by intravenous injection. If vitamin B1 or vitamin C is added, good results are often obtained.