Introduction
Treatment options for gastritis in dogs include restricting food, avoiding contact with whatever caused the gastritis to develop in the first place (i.e., dietary indiscretion), and in some cases avoiding prescription medications and other supportive therapies.
Treating Gastritis in Dogs
Acute or Mild Gastritis
Acute gastritis, and cases of mild gastritis, are usually treated by withholding food for at least 24 hours, and sometimes for up to 48 hours. This gives the dog’s stomach time to recover and heal from whatever was irritating it. 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 cause further vomiting and irritation to the stomach.
Chronic or Severe Gastritis
In severe, or chronic, cases of gastritis, determining the cause of the gastritis is essential to development of a treatment plan. If the gastritis is being caused by bacteria, antibiotics will help to treat the condition. If the gastritis is being caused by another underlying medical condition, addressing this condition will help to resolve the gastritis symptoms that are occurring. Supportive therapies such as administering subcutaneous or intravenous fluids, in addition to subcutaneous or intravenous nutrition, may also be needed to treat severe gastritis conditions.
In cases where the gastritis is caused by an un-digested object or material in the dog’s stomach, surgery is the only realistic treatment option.