Gastroenteritis in dogs

Gastroenteritis is a condition where the stomach and intestines become inflamed, leading to digestive upset. Any dog can get gastroenteritis – it’s a common condition that usually goes away within a couple of days.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and a painful abdomen. This page explains how to tell if your dog’s gastroenteritis is mild or severe and what treatments can get them feeling right as rain again.

Gastroenteritis can be caused by many different things, some of which include:

• eating spoiled food or inedible items
• viruses or bacteria from contaminated water, food, or infected dog poo
• parasites like worms
• fungal infections
• the gut folding in on itself and causing a blockage (intussusception)
• tumours and cancer
• endocrine diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes
• toxins from products like household cleaners and weed killers
• other conditions like kidney disease, liver disease

Dogs with milder gastroenteritis can show some or all of the following symptoms:

• tender or painful abdomen
• vomiting a few times a day, retching on an empty stomach, or bringing up bile
• diarrhoea, either as slightly softer poo with mucus or very watery
• gurgling and squeaking sounds coming from the stomach
• eating less or a complete loss of appetite
• feeling lethargic

See a vet as soon as possible if any of these symptoms quickly appear or your dog is rapidly getting worse.

Diagnosis

If your dog is showing any gastroenteritis symptoms, speak to your vet. They’ll check over your dog and ask about their behaviour and activities over the last few days. This may help them work out what could have caused their symptoms.

Treatment options your vet may recommend for your dog’s gastroenteritis include:

• a period of fasting or change in your dog’s diet
• a fluid drip to keep them hydrated
• anti-sickness medication (if appropriate)
• antibiotics (if bacteria is the cause)
• gastrointestinal protectants
• parasite medication (if parasite infection is the cause)

You may be able to care for your dog at home if they have milder vomiting or diarrhoea but are otherwise bright and happy. At-home care can include:

• smaller meals more frequently throughout the day
• a bland diet (ask your vet for guidance)
• lots of fresh clean water
• plenty of calm and quiet rest time
• a slow reintroduction to their normal food

If you’re at all worried about your dog or they’re declining quickly, bring them in to see the vet.

Prognosis

Most cases of gastroenteritis clear up within a few days, but it’s important to monitor your dog’s recovery

Always bring your dog to the vet if they’re not improving or show signs of getting worse. A vet can check for other problems using:

• x-rays
• ultrasounds
• blood tests
• urinalysis
• stool samples

Smaller breeds are more prone to getting this severe form of gastroenteritis and symptoms are similar to those of parvovirus. This can include:

• vomiting, which may contain blood
• diarrhoea, which may contain blood and pieces of gut lining
• lack of appetite
• feeling lethargic
• a painful abdomen
• pale gums
• Weakness or collapse

Diagnosis

It’s important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you think they have HGE. The condition can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Your vet may run blood tests and x-rays to try and find the cause (such as a disease or bacteria).

Your dog is likely to be referred to a vet hospital for treatment and may need a few days there to recover. They may also be kept away from weaker dogs to stop the condition from spreading.

• Treatment for HGE includes:
• anti-sickness medication
• fluids via an IV drip
• antibiotics if needed
• a period of fasting or change in your dog’s diet
• gastrointestinal protectants
• parasite medication (if parasite infection is the cause)

Prognosis

Most dogs show huge improvements within the first day of treatment and are feeling better again within a few days.

When getting a Petgevity dog insurance quote, tell us about your dog’s gastroenteritis and any other conditions they’ve had in the past two years.

If your pup can be covered, you can be confident of a fair price without any hidden costs.

Find out more about our dog insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.