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Colitis in Dogs
What are Colitis?
Colitis in dogs is the inflammation of the colon and can also be called large bowel diarrhea. Dogs suffering from this condition may present with increased frequency of defecation, and blood or mucous in the stools.
Colitis can be either chronic or acute in onset, and can be caused by a range of factors including parasitic infection, stress or dietary intolerances. Although relapses are common in this condition your veterinarian will be able to assist you in the most effective plan to manage this condition.
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Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs
Symptoms of colitis include:
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Blood present in the stools
- Straining prior to or following defecation
- Vomiting
- Increased frequency of defecation with decreased volume
Types
Colitis can be broken into four different forms.
Colitis can be broken into four different forms.
Lymphocytic-plasmacytic colitis - This is characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells into the mucosal lining of the small intestine resulting in inflammation; breed bias seems to be towards German Shepherds, Lundehunds, and Basenjis
Neutrophilic or ulcerative colitis - This is characterized by the infiltration of neutrophils from the circulation into the mucosal lining of the small intestine
Eosinophilic colitis - This is thought to be incited by infection, parasites or food allergies; this form of colitis appears to affect predominantly younger dogs and is characterized by the increase of eosinophils present in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract
Granulomatous colitis - This is a breed-specific inflammatory bowel disease that affects young Boxer dogs
Causes of Colitis in Dogs
Colitis can be caused by several factors, including:
- Breed disposition
- Parasitic infection
- Dietary intolerances or allergies
- Stress
- Bacterial infection
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Diagnosis of Colitis in Dogs
Your veterinarian will perform a full clinical examination and ask questions to establish a complete clinical history for your dog. Your veterinarian may palpate the rectal area and inspect the feces for evidence of parasitic infection. The following diagnosis investigations can assist in confirming or excluding the diagnosis of bacterial or parasitic infection or clostridial colitis:
- Fecal smears for bacterial or parasitic infection
- Fecal flotation for parasite identification
- Culture for bacteria
As food sensitivities can be a common cause of chronic colitis in dogs, your veterinarian may recommend your pet is placed on a diet free of high allergen foods. If your pet’s clinical signs decrease on this diet, a diagnosis of food allergy may be made.
If clinical signs continue or worsen on this diet, further diagnostic tests will be necessary. The following diagnostic tests may be performed:
- Hematology investigations - complete blood count and biochemical profile
- Abdominal radiographs to visualize the gastrointestinal tract
- Ultrasonography
- Colonoscopy
Treatment of Colitis in Dogs
Treatments for colitis can include:
Parasitic control
Deworming treatment should be given and repeated 3 weeks from first dose even if diagnostic tests show no parasitic infection
Nutrition
In order to allow your pet’s gastrointestinal system time to heal and recover food may initially be withheld for up to 2 days. Following this, the introduction of fiber may be beneficial for your pet due to it’s ability to slow luminal transit time, reducing fecal water, increasing fecal bulk and possibly reducing diarrhea. If your veterinarian suspects a food sensitivity may have caused the colitis, a novel protein diet may be introduced to your pet. This diet should only contain novel ingredients that have not previously been fed to your dog such as venison or rabbit.
Home made diets are considered the gold standard when eliminating proteins from a pet’s diet, however, these can be time consuming and difficult to prepare. There are a range of commercially available diets your veterinarian will be able to recommend, such as novel protein diets or hydrolyzed diets.
Medication
Metronidazole may be given to your pet due to it’s ability to inhibit cell-mediated immunity. Glucocorticoids may be used therapeutically for your dog in order to suppress the immune response and inflammation.
Loperamide may be used due to it’s ability to slow excretion, decreases colonic secretion, and increase water absorption. This will be used with caution and only if infectious colitis has been ruled out. Enrofloxacin may be used for antibiotic therapy for Boxer dogs suffering from granulomatous colitis.
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Recovery of Colitis in Dogs
The prognosis is varied depending on the form of colitis your pet is suffering from. The short term prognosis for dogs who are suffering from chronic colitis is good, however, recurrent relapses are likely. Long-term novel protein diets can be beneficial for pets, although in some cases allergies may develop over time to proteins. If this occurs it may be necessary to discuss circulating different protein sources in your companion’s diet.
Unfortunately for canines that have a genetic disposition to the disease the prognosis is grave; for Boxers suffering from histiocytic colitis recovery is unlikely unless treatment is started very early in the disease. The prognosis for Basenjis suffering from immunoproliferative enteropathy and Lundehunds suffering from diarrheal syndrome is also poor.
Colitis Average Cost
From 352 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$8,000
Top
Colitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Four Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
A couple days ago I noticed my outdoor dog was pooping more frequently in smaller amounts. She seems to strain a bit during these bowel movements but is otherwise behaving normally. I noticed a streak of bloody-like mucus was present in BMs and yesterday she vomited. Other than a slight loss of energy, she seems normal. We recently upgraded her diet last week to a quality grain-free dog food that she seems to love. She still has an appetite, and is eating and drinking like normal. We have a vet appointment scheduled for tomorrow, but should I be worried and move up the appointment?
July 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
As long as she remains bright and active, and there is not more blood in the stool progressively happening, you should be fine to keep the appointment for tomorrow. They will be able to check for any parasites or any kinds of colitis, and get her treatment so that she feels better. If she does start to vomit, becomes lethargic, or you notice a lot more blood in her stool, then it would be best to have her seen right away. I hope that everything goes well for her
July 23, 2020
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Basset Hound
Oliver wendell
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog is a 6 year old Bassett hound. He has had symptoms of IBS and colitis since we brought him home at 8 weeks old. He’s been on numerous limited diet ingredient foods with no luck. Finally the vet put him on a prescription diet, Hills digestive care I/d. Being on this food has helped improve him symptoms but they are still present. He has frequent bowel movements, straining when having a bowel movement. When we go on walks he has frequent bowel movements, the first couple of BMs are solid and then towards the end of the walk they are watery with mucus present. He then will stop and rub his butt in the grass. My question is, is it wise to switch him from the prescription food? The food is very expensive and I’m not even seeing his symptoms go away. I was thinking of switching to earth born coastal catch food. I’m nervous to do this because his last flare up caused him to have blood in his stool. Should I switch?
June 28, 2018
0 Recommendations
You may try to switch foods, however you may see a worsening of symptoms; it is important to remember that you may never find the ideal diet for Oliver Wendell but you should stay with a diet which causes the minimum amount of symptoms regardless of the cost. These cases are really trial and error with no right answer in many cases and can be frustrating for pet owners; any change in diet is your decision but be prepared for a worsening of symptoms. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 29, 2018
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Colitis Average Cost
From 352 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$8,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
