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Gastrointestinal Upsets

By Vikki Marshal RVN APHC CertCFVHNut

There are many things that can cause to bring in a 3-day pooled sample of
a gastrointestinal upset in our dogs faeces so they can send it to the
ranging from eating something that laboratory to check if they can find
upsets them to picking up a virus the cause to give a more case specific
from another dog. treatment. The biggest concern when
a dog has a gastrointestinal upset is
Usual symptoms are passing of that they stay hydrated so ensure
loose faeces or diarrhea, sometimes that they get plenty of water. If they
vomiting, abdominal pain (often seen become dehydrated they may need
by the dog guarding their tummy),
to be admitted to the veterinary
drooling or lack of appetite. Your hospital for intravenous fluids to help
dog may have some or all of these rehydrate them.
depending on how severe the upset
is. Some common causes of tummy The more stubborn cases to treat are
upsets can include eating the wrong the dietary allergy ones as these
things, dietary allergies, parasites often involve long term diet trials to
such as worms, protozoas such as discover the protein causing the
giardia, bacterias such as salmonella, issue; it is a myth that all dietary
campylobacter and e-coli, or viruses allergy issues are down to grains.
such as parvovirus. Very few dogs have a true grain
allergy and more often than not it is
Often a stomach upset is self- a reaction to the protein source. It is
resolving and you do not need to do becoming more and more common
too much other than offer a bland diet these days for chicken to be a
such as turkey or white fish (now reactive protein for dogs because
preferable to chicken) with over historically it was a cheap protein
cooked rice (easier to digest), for a choice so the majority of dog foods
few days until things settle. It is good were made with chicken and now
to add a little water to their food to we are seeing dogs with chronic
help with hydration. Sometimes gastrointestinal issues due to the use
though the upset can be more of chicken. The advice now for dogs
complicated to treat especially if with chronic gastrointestinal issues
viruses or bacteria etc. are the cause. where protein reactivity is an issue is
to try and feed a lamb or salmon
Usually when you see the vet for a
case of gastrointestinal upset they based diet and often this will solve
will start the treatment with pre and the issue; some however do need a
probiotics to help bind the gut and true hypoallergenic diet where the
balance the good bacteria within it. protein molecules have been broken
This can often be given alongside an down with water to help decrease
their reactivity.
antiemetic to stop them vomiting.
Usually a few days of this treatment If any problematic symptoms
along with a bland diet will help. occur for more than 48 hours then
If there is no improvement after these please contact your vet for advice.
treatments the vet will often ask you
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