Colitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Colitis is one of the threats to dog health that every pet owner needs to be aware of. It is the inflammation of the colon and is often times associated with diarrhea and blood in the stool. In canines, colitis causes around half of the cases involving chronic diarrhea in dogs. It is a painful condition which affects kinds of dogs, regardless of age or of breed. The most common causes of this are parasite and bacterial infections, food allergies, and irritable bowel syndrome.

There are two kinds of colitis in dogs: acute and chronic. As the name suggest, acute colitis only persists for a momentary period of time but may sometimes have more intense and rapid onset of symptoms. Chronic colitis on the other hand is persistent and affects dog health over a long period of time.

Symptoms

Some indications in dog health may be the key in figuring out if your dog has colitis. The most common symptoms for the ailment are painful and bloody discharge of stool, diarrhea, as well as stool mixed in with either blood or mucous. If you observe these with your pet consult a veterinarian immediately and test your dog for colitis right away.

Diagnosis

The primary way to test your dog for colitis is done by way of a stool exam. Based on the results that will arrive , additional procedures may be taken to further evaluate and confirm colitis in your dog. Diagnosis is important in the case of colitis since certain types require specific methods of treatment to quickly improve dog health of the afflicted canine.

Treatments

It is always best to follow the veterinarian's recommended mode of treatment once the colitis is known. There are specific medication such as Metronidazole which alleviate and cure colitis as well as the symptoms that it presents. But in cases that the a veterinarian or the medication is not immediately available, you can make use of natural remedies or approaches to help improve the dog health of your
pet.

For acute colitis, fasting your dog for 1-2 days would usually help. Having your dog drink plenty of water and eat food with limited ingredients and low fat content such as fish, chicken, potatoes.

In cases of chronic colitis, herbs such as licorice and marshmallow root have been documented to decrease the effects of colitis. Having your pooch take homeopathic medicines aimed at alleviating the diarrhea such as Arsenicum Album and Colocythis have been found to be effective as well.

Colitis in Dogs

Does your dog find it hard to poop? Perhaps, he might have Colitis. Colitis is defined as a colon inflammation and in most cases; it is usually caused by bacteria, too much stress, allergies and parasites.

Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs

At first sight, you might not suspect your dog of having colitis. Most of them with this disease appear normal but once you notice irregular bowel patterns and the feces are accompanied by red blood, your dog might be positive of having colitis.

Depending on the situation, some dogs experience chronic colitis due to the absence of symptoms. Especially boxers, they are susceptible to this disease for unknown reasons and they need long-term treatment to stay alive. There are also cases when the dogs with severe colitis, they suppressed the urge to poop and the resulting condition is constipation.

Causes of Colitis in Dogs

• Eating the wrong type of food. 
• Eating food scattered everywhere, in the garbage can, in the park etc.
• Dietary Intolerance
• Stress
• Undigested food
• Bacterial growth in the gut area
• Drinking not fresh water
  

Treatment for Colitis in Dogs

Since most of the causes of Colitis in dogs are the improper handling of their food intake, a change in healthier diet plan is required. The treatment usually lasts for two to six weeks depending on the severity of the case.

Cases of colitis in dogs shows no hazardous signs and symptoms in early stages. Perhaps, the best thing you can do is observe. Always be aware of your dog’s health and well being. Observe when he regularly poops, when he loses his diet and when he feels stressed.

If you decided to bring your dog to the nearest veterinarian, it will be better if you collect some fresh stool samples before your scheduled visit. Colitis can only be detected if it undergone radiography, biopsy or colonoscopy.

The best thing to do is just follow what your vet’s recommended treatments are and if there are prescribed antibiotics, let the dog drink it religiously no matter how weird or bitter the taste.

The most common antibiotics to cure colitis is Metronidazole or rather be called as Flagyl. The role of Metronidazole once ingested by your dog is to control the production of bacteria causing the disease. The sulfa-containing Azulfadine are used to treat chronic colitis.

The eating patterns should also be change. Your dog must only eat types of food that are easily digested. In most cases, tender slices of chicken, rice, eggs and cottage cheese are suggested. But for those with chronic colitis, vets usually make a lifelong dietary system appropriate for your dog health condition.