Activities For Dog With Gastritis
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining of the stomach, and it can occur in humans and dogs alike. When a dog has gastritis, their stomach can become quite irritated when ingesting food, but it is quite common, unfortunately. Often, dogs will eat something that they are not supposed to, which can cause inflammation. Gastritis can be acute or chronic, and it is important that you know the signs and symptoms so you can help your dog feel better, and prevent other diseases. During a bout of gastritis, all normal physical activities will cease due to your pet's lethargy. This is the time to be near them while letting them have space if need be.
Recognizing the Signs
The first thing to do when fighting gastritis is to recognize the signs and symptoms in your dog so you can properly treat them and help them feel better. Since gastritis can be associated with other conditions that may be more serious and severe, it is important to take notes of all the symptoms you notice so you can tell your vet in detail what you have observed. The vet will be able to assess the situation and properly diagnose your dog. Observe your dog a day to figure out what is wrong with them, take notes, and make sure to make them as detailed as possible, so your vet can have a clearer picture of what is going on.
Diagnosis
Provided that you have been observing your dog’s behavior for the past day or two and noticed that something is not quite right with them, it is time to take them to the veterinarian. Never try to diagnose your dog yourself, unless you are a professional veterinarian of course. Usually, your vet will diagnose gastritis by performing a detailed physical exam, taking blood tests, and ordering a urinalysis. The blood work will show your vet if your dog is dehydrated, if gastritis is of a long-term nature, and if it was caused by liver disease or ulcers, or maybe even a weak immune system. While at the vet, reassure your dog with a calm, soothing voice.
Treatment
When your dog is diagnosed, your vet will let you know about the methods of treatment you can apply to heal them and make them feel better again. The first thing your vet will probably do is give them IV fluids to restore the electrolytes your pet lost while vomiting. After that, you will get medication that you have to give your dog. Some antibiotics will probably be prescribed, as well as anti-emetics, and these meds will help treat the bacterial infection and control the vomiting. Of course, the recovery will take several days, and during the first 24 to 48 hours, you should only give your pup very small amounts of water.Â
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Diet Change
To prevent future outbursts of gastritis, make sure that your dog is on a healthy diet. This means giving them foods which will not upset their stomach. They may include low-fat options, such as cooked rice, pasta, potatoes, pumpkin, and some proteins such as skinless boiled chicken, ground beef, also boiled, tofu, and even non-fat cottage cheese.Â
Prevention
The best way to treat gastritis is to prevent it, so in the future, try to keep your dog away from the indigestible things and trash. Don’t allow them to freely roam without supervision, as they can eat things they are not supposed to, which can upset their stomach and cause gastritis.
Brushing
Conclusion
After the worst is over, most dogs will get a good prognosis from their vet. If possible, try to find out what the cause of gastritis is so that you can be prepared and avoid the irritants. If gastritis was acute, the vomiting would stop as soon as you remove the irritant. However, if the cause was of a chronic nature, your dog may need to stay in the hospital for some time. During the healing period, make sure to provide a lot of love and affection to make your dog feel safe, and to make the recovery period easier for them. Your veterinarian will advise on the amount of activity that is permitted, which may include very short walks to start.