Colitis in Dogs
Introduction
Colitis in Dogs Guide: Veterinary reviewed information that provides a detailed explanation of Colitis in dogs. Get started and see what choices you and your vet can make to manage Colitis in Dogs.
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Definition
Colitis is defined simply as inflammation of the colon. Although this is a bit of an over-simplification, the digestive tract of the domestic dog extends from the mouth to the anus, in roughly the following order:
Digestive Tract of the Domestic Dog
- Mouth (oral cavity)
- Teeth
- Tongue
- Pharynx
- Larynx
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Pylorus (junction of the stomach and the small intestine)
- Small intestine - 3 main divisions: duodenum, jejunum and ileum
- Large intestine - 3 main divisions: cecum, colon (ascending, transverse, descending), rectum
- Anal canal
- Anus
The colon is that part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum.
Colitis is commonly caused by one of the various disorders that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. These include lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis, eosinophilic enterocolitis, granulomatous enteritis, neutrophilic enterocolitis and histiocytic ulcerative colitis, among possible others. Infectious causes of colitis are also common – especially from salmonella, campylobacter, giardia, Escherichia coli, histoplasma and/or clostridium. Internal parasites – particularly canine whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) - often contribute to colitis in dogs. Traumatic injuries from foreign bodies, physical
Colitis, which simply means inflammation of the colon, is reportedly responsible for up to thirty to fifty percent of the cases of chronic diarrhea in domestic dogs. The colon is the center portion of the large intestine, located between the cecum (the first part) and the rectum (the last part). When the colon become inflamed for whatever reason, substances called inflammatory cytokines begin to accumulate there, disrupting the normal cellular structure and junctions of colonic
Because colitis can be caused by so many different things, its diagnosis can be like following a maze to its ultimate conclusion. There will be bumps and dead ends along the way. The veterinary team will have to rule out a number of possible causes of the dog’s intestinal troubles before arriving at the final diagnosis. Sometimes, the underlying cause of the condition is never determined.A veterinarian presented with a dog with symptoms of colitis
Most cases of canine colitis, which is inflammation of the middle portion of the large intestine, can be treated on an out-patient basis. However, if prolonged diarrhea and/or vomiting have caused severe dehydration, the dog may need to be hospitalized so that intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy can take place.Treatment of colitis is directed toward resolving the underlying condition or conditions that are causing the colon to become inflamed. Fasting for 24 to 48