What are Gastroenteritis?
Stomach flu is a form of gastroenteritis that occurs when your dog contracts a virus. This is usually characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. Because the symptoms are not specific to gastroenteritis, you should bring your dog to the veterinarian to rule out other, more serious conditions. Although symptomatic treatment for the stomach flu can be provided at home, it's best to leave it to a professional.
The stomach flu is caused by viral agents that affect your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, resulting in acute vomiting and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis can typically be resolved at home with rehydration therapy, but you should first bring your dog to a veterinarian to ensure that the symptoms are not the sign a more serious disease.Gastroenteritis Average Cost
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Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
The two most common signs of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea. Additional signs to watch for include:
- Dehydration due to fluid loss through vomiting or diarrhea
- Blood in vomit or feces
- Nausea
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
Causes of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
The term “stomach flu” typically refers to viral gastroenteritis, which is caused by infectious agents such as noroviruses, sapoviruses, and parvoviruses. Gastroenteritis itself, however, can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Dietary indiscretion
- Toxins
- Tumors
- Bacterial infection
- Parasites
- Abdominal disorders
- Systematic infections – urinary tract infections (UTI), meningitis, pneumonia
- Thyroid disease
Though viruses are not thought to be a common cause for gastroenteritis in dogs, a large number of them may affect the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Gastroenteritis is diagnosed by the sudden onset of vomiting or diarrhea. Since the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are mirrored in a number of other conditions, you will need to provide your veterinarian with information to help narrow the possibilities down. Come prepared with as much information as possible to help the veterinarian diagnose. It all comes down to preparation, the better prepared you are, the more likely a swift and accurate diagnosis will be delivered. This information may include:
- Any changes in your dogs diet, including new food. The veterinarian will be especially interested in understanding if the brand of food was changed. If readily accessible, bring in a picture of the dogs food and ingredient label.
- Your dogs current feeding frequency and amount fed
- Any and all food and liquid consumed in the last forty-eight to seventy-two hours. This includes table scraps your dog may have received, food containers he or she could have accessed, and standard treats or rewards you may have given him/her. Be especially alert for access points in the kitchen or pantry that you may have left open.
- Any illnesses diagnosed, or not, within the past month. These include spouts of vomiting, runny nose, lethargy, and general weakness.
- Any medications your dog may be prescribed.
- Any supplements your dog may be receiving, whether over-the-counter or self-prescribed.
- Any new activities, or changes of environment. It’s important to note things like dog parks visited, new dogs met, and new people in your dog’s common environment.
- Any history of allergies or dietary restrictions
The veterinarian will establish a history and a medical profile for your dog, both of which can assist in diagnosing stomach flu.
Fecal testing can reveal the presence of viruses in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, though this method is not always reliable and cannot detect all types of viral agents. The veterinarian will most likely perform blood work and a urinalysis during the initial examination to rule out other, more serious conditions. The urinalysis will be helpful for detecting urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or general dehydration. Through the process of elimination, the veterinarian may attempt either abdominal radiographs, or abdominal ultrasounds. These tests will help the veterinarian search for any stomach or intestinal obstructions or other abnormalities. After this testing, the veterinarian may work towards a diagnosis of gastroenteritis, if not of stomach flu specifically. Laboratory testing and imaging are not necessary for a diagnosis of gastroenteritis but do eliminate other causes for exhibited symptoms.
Treatment of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Treatment for viral gastroenteritis is primarily supportive and focuses on the symptoms rather than the condition itself. Since your dog loses fluids through vomiting and diarrhea, rehydration is vital, as is proper maintenance of blood electrolyte balance. Fluids may be replenished orally or intravenously depending on the degree of dehydration.
The veterinarian may recommend that you withhold food for a day to allow your dog’s gastrointestinal tract to rest and recover. After this time, you can introduce soft, bland foods and gradually work back up to your dog’s normal diet. Medications are prescribed in severe cases to decrease your dog’s nausea and urge to vomit. Most cases of viral gastroenteritis can be resolved at home without the intervention of medication, provided your dog remains sufficiently hydrated.
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Recovery of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Overcoming dehydration is important, be sure to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water, and limit or withhold food for several hours. The vomiting and diarrhea should improve within a day or two of treatment, at which time you can feed your dog small amounts of bland food, such as boiled chicken and rice. This allows your dog’s gastrointestinal tract to rest.
If the symptoms do not clear after a few days, or if your dog develops additional signs, return to the veterinarian immediately. Otherwise, the gastroenteritis should clear on its own, and no further examinations will be necessary. Most dogs recover fully from gastroenteritis, barring complications that may arise from severe dehydration.
Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 71 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Gastroenteritis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Boxer
Six Years
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea Lethargic
Picked up our boxer from kennel. She lost weight has liquid diaherra, won’t eat and lethargic
July 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Dogs can get stress colitis from being boarded, but they can also get parasites, and can eat things that they shouldn't. From your description, she does sound quite ill, and it would probably be best to have her seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine her and see what is going on,and get treatment for her so that she is healthy again.
I hope that she is okay soon.
July 28, 2020
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Jack Russell Terrier
Twelve Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea, No Appetite, Lethargy
Should I take him to the vet? This started yesterday and today he won’t eat.
July 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I think, given his age, it would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian, yes. Older dogs can get dehydrated quickly, and he may need some Medical Care. Your veterinarian can examine him, see what might be going on, and get treatment for him. I hope that he feels better soon.
July 25, 2020
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Anatolian Shepherd
Six
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Gastroenteritis
My dog has been in and out of emergency vet this weekend and they did x rays and blood work. They assume it is gastroenteritis. They gave him antibiotics Sunday and Entyce to get him to eat. He still isn’t eating, is very lethargic and is panting a lot. Is this normal? They want to do an ultrasound because the panting and no interest in food after three doses of entyce is odd. I am struggling to afford things and wanted to get a second opinion if this seems normal or not.
July 21, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I'm sorry that your dog is having problems. That does sound like there's more going on than a simple gastroenteritis, and without seeing the blood work, unfortunately, I'm not really able to comment on what else might be happening. I do think that you can tell your veterinarian that cost is a concern, as that is fairly common with most people, and see if there are other possible treatments that they would consider before doing the ultrasound. If they feel that the ultrasound is what they need to do next, then I would probably trust them on that.
I hope that they are able to figure out what's going on and that your dog feels better soon.
July 21, 2020
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Golden Retriever
Maggie
9 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Poor Appetite
My golden retriever threw up all day yesterday and and was lethargic and not eating. We took her to the vet this morning and they diagnosed her with a stomach bug. They put her on an ani neasea, antibiotic, and fluids. She seems better and was eating some bland rice and chicken and seemed a little more alert, but now she is feeling worse. She can barley stand up and move and will not eat anything. The vets saw the bloody stool in her colon and said it should pass. It hasn't yet and we feel she is getting worse. Maybe the food made her feel worse? She hasn't gotten sick since we took her today.
Aug. 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
It will take a few days to see lasting improvement in symptoms and it is possible that the anti nausea medication is wearing off, however you should give the medication as prescribed and monitor for improvement; if there is no improvement or symptoms get worse visit your Veterinarian for an examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 14, 2018
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Cocker Spaniel
Brownie
9 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Vomiting Yellow Bile
Tremor
Watery Bloody Stool
Foot Cramp
I woke up to see that overnight our dog had vomitted containing yellow bile and had several episodes of diarrhea. Through the day he continued to have watery diarrhea but no vomiting. I did not feed him his regular food, and only fed him plain white rice. Noting that he had a restful night, the next day I fed him another small meal of rice and a few hours later another small meal of rice and pumpkin. He had a painful foot cramp in the morning and light tremors through the day so I gave him Rymadel for pain and Prednisone for inflammation but he did start having better formed stools. So in the evening I offered rice, pumpkin and boiled low fat ground beef and some sweet potatoe. But I began to notice red in his stool. This morning his stools are much more red (seems like fresh red blood). Through all of this he's been sweet, happy and very energetic. I should note, he's always had a very sensitive digestive system. Can I offer yogurt? Should he fast for one day?
July 27, 2018
0 Recommendations
A little faecal blood may occur due to gastrointestinal upset but if there is a large quantity of blood you should think about visiting your Veterinarian to be on the safe side; when feeding Brownie I would recommend boiled chicken over beef since it is easier to digest and is less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. Also remember that a possible side effect of Rimadyl (carprofen) is gastrointestinal bleeding, but I cannot say whether this is the cause or not. You should think about visiting your Veterinarian as they will be closed tomorrow (Sunday) to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 28, 2018
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Boarder terrier
Chester
22 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Diarrhoea And Vomit
My dog has been ill for several days now and is frequently ill, he lost his appetite but has gained it back very slightly. He would only drink water he also has diarrhoea. He is a bit mopey and isn't as keen to go on walks as he was. Chester is often ill and I don't know if it's gastroenteritis or he has some sort of stomach problem, because he's been ill before but not like this and not for as long. I haven't gone to the vet yet either. He also have blood in his stool and sick which is really worrying not a lot of it, but enough for me to see. He has been ill for 4 days now and I hate to see it!
Gastroenteritis Average Cost
From 71 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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