Treating Gastritis in Dogs

Dog Breeds

Treatment options for dogs suffering from gastritis include restricting food intake, avoiding contact with whatever caused the condition to develop in the first place, and in some cases stopping administration of certain prescription medications.

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Introduction

Treatment options for dogs suffering from gastritis include restricting food intake, avoiding contact with whatever caused the condition to develop in the first place, and in some cases stopping administration of certain prescription medications. Of course, if cancer or some other systemic illness is causing the gastrointestinal discomfort, treatment options are more limited.

Treating Gastritis in Dogs

Owners of affected dogs should discuss the appropriate treatment protocol with their veterinarian. It is important to identify the actual cause of gastritis, so that appropriate treatment can begin. Gastritis is usually first treated by withholding food for 24 hours. This gives the dog’s stomach and intestinal lining time to recover from whatever insult they have encountered. Water may also be withheld to control vomiting, or water may be offered multiple times in small quantities. Dogs with gastritis have a tendency to drink large amounts of water at one time, and this can exacerbate stomach irritation. Supportive therapies, such as administration of subcutaneous or intravenous fluids and nutritional management, can also help dogs suffering from gastritis.

If gastritis is caused by an undigestible foreign object lodged in the dog’s stomach or intestinal tract, surgery is the only realistic treatment option.

Prognosis

Dogs with gastrointestinal irritation typically have an excellent prognosis, once the cause of the condition is identified and corrected.

Diagnosis and Tests