Colitis in Dogs: What It Is and How to Treat It

By June 22, 2022 Dog Diseases, Dog Health, Immune Support, Supplements for Dogs 0 Comments

Colitis in Dogs: What It Is and How to Treat It

Colitis in dogs develops when the colon becomes inflamed. Avoiding stress for your dog, quickly treating any parasites or infections and offering high-quality food, suited for your dog, help reduce the possibility of colitis.

Colitis in dogs is one of the many illnesses that might cause diarrhea in your four-legged buddy. This is quite uncomfortable for them and may make going to the bathroom difficult. Therefore veterinary assistance should be sought as soon as possible for diagnosis and urgent treatment.

If you believe your dog has colitis, continue reading to learn about the symptoms of colitis in dogs and the current treatment options.

Table of Contents

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What Is Colitis in Dogs?

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. That part of the digestive tract is also known as the large intestine. That condition may affect many different animals, including humans and dogs.

In its most basic form, the digestive tract and system are long tubes running from the mouth to the anus. The large intestine is the tube’s terminal portion.

Inside the colon, indigestible food is accumulated, excess water is eliminated and returned to the body, and stools form to be expelled as solid waste. The colon gets inflamed when it is irritated. This is referred to as colitis.

Colitis is a relatively frequent illness in dogs and may be caused by various factors. However, providing your dog with regular care may easily avoid many of the primary causes of colitis.

Are There Different Kinds of Canine Colitis?

There are two forms of colitis in dogs. It might be “acute” or “chronic.”

Acute colitis strikes without warning. It is a one-time ailment that may linger a few days before returning your dog to normal health. It’s triggered by a short-term external stimulus, such as an untreated illness, parasites or your dog ingesting something he shouldn’t.

Meanwhile, chronic colitis occurs when a dog suffers from colitis regularly. It is a more severe and continuing condition that usually indicates something else wrong.

Dogs with chronic colitis will have flare-ups frequently. And although the symptoms of colitis may come and go over time, the underlying cause will remain.

Based on the reason, the kind of canine colitis may be determined. In dogs, for example, ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine. Meanwhile, granulomatous colitis in dogs is an uncommon illness affecting just two breeds — Boxers and (even more unusually) French Bulldogs.

Identifying the source of colitis can not only tell you if the issue is likely to remain, but it will also allow you to treat the illness effectively.

What Are the Causes of Colitis?

Because colitis may be acute or chronic, it can be triggered by a single event or a pre-existing long-term illness. Colitis is best diagnosed by a competent veterinary expert.

Some of the most prevalent causes of colitis in dogs are:

      • Eating something disagreeable.
      • Swallowing a foreign object.
      • Allergies.
      • An undiagnosed infection.
      • Stress.
      • Injury to the colon.
      • Parasites.
      • Pre-existing health conditions (e.g., pancreatitis, IBS).

The Causes of Acute Colitis in Dogs

As previously stated, acute colitis may be induced by an unexpected external stimulus. It might, for example, be caused by the dog ingesting something they shouldn’t.

This might be because they ate improper human food or consumed a minor item they couldn’t digest. In both circumstances, this will result in gastrointestinal pain and colon inflammation.

Stress, which may create intestinal trouble, is another cause of acute colitis. That subtype is also known as stress colitis in dogs.

Acute colitis may also be caused by a short-term sickness. This might be a virus, a parasite or a bacterium like Campylobacter, Salmonella or E. Coli.

In the event of acute colitis, avoiding many of the causes of colitis might be simple to lessen your dog’s chances of having the condition.

You may attempt to avoid acute colitis by doing the following:

      • Carry out regular worming treatments.
      • Avoid stressful situations for your pet.
      • Stop your dog from eating things they shouldn’t.
      • Feed your dog a good quality diet.
      • Ensure any illnesses are treated quickly.

The Causes of Chronic Colitis in Dogs

Meanwhile, avoiding chronic colitis will depend on finding the underlying cause of the ailment and delivering appropriate therapy.

Chronic colitis, for example, may be caused by pre-existing immunological disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Immunological disorders lead the dog’s body to wrongly activate an immune response that kills colon cells. Because these are chronic illnesses, the dog will need to be treated to regulate its immune system. That will help them manage their colitis and avoid future flare-ups.

Alternatively, your dog may have a dietary allergy or intolerance that causes intestinal discomfort. A food allergy also causes an undesirable immunological response, which attempts to rid the body of the source of the reaction via vomiting or diarrhea. Meanwhile, dietary intolerance occurs when your dog cannot digest a particular meal.

Trauma or damage to the colon is another cause of persistent colitis. This might be due to colon damage from a prior illness, which interferes with the gut’s ability to digest food effectively.

Is Colitis in Dogs Contagious?

Colitis in and of itself is not contagious. It cannot be “caught” by your dog since it is always caused by something else. Most of these reasons are also not transmissible. However, this is not always the case.

Worms, for example, are one of the causes of colitis in dogs that may be passed on to other canines. In such instances, the parasite that causes colitis is infectious.

But if you ask for yourself, don’t worry. People cannot get colitis from dogs.

Signs and Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs

Most colitis symptoms manifest in the dog’s feces and toileting behaviors.

Diarrhea is the most prevalent symptom of colitis in dogs. Semi-formed or liquid feces will be produced by the afflicted dog. You may discover blood and mucus in your dog’s feces, perhaps both. Your dog may also be passing more gases than usual.

A dog may attempt to defecate more often than usual or exhibit a greater need to go to the potty. When your dog tries to go to the bathroom, he or she may only produce a small number of feces.

Another indicator of colitis is if your dog strains before or after going to the bathroom, with the dog arching their back and hunching over as they struggle to pass the feces. Constipation, along with diarrhea, is a frequent symptom of colitis in dogs.

If colitis is a chronic disease, the dog may have a dull coat due to a lack of nutrients and a loss of appetite. This might result in weight loss and make the dog seem tired and unhappy.

You should take your dog to the vet as soon as they exhibit signs of sickness or behave strangely. Even if you suspect colitis, it is critical to get it properly diagnosed.

So, to conclude, the following are the most prevalent symptoms of colitis in dogs:

      • Diarrhea or softer stool.
      • Mucus in the feces.
      • Small amounts of red blood in the feces.
      • An increased amount of toileting or increased urgency.
      • Constipation and straining to defecate.
      • Increased flatulence.
      • Swollen or painful abdomen.
      • Dull coat.
      • Weight loss.

Diagnosing Colitis in Dogs

Your veterinarian will need to do an examination to determine colitis. It comprises the stages listed below.

Medical History

Vets will begin the examination by taking a detailed history (asking you questions about the issue). This information assists your veterinarian in determining if the diarrhea is from the small or large intestine.

Physical Exam

Your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive physical check on your dog, including a rectal examination. They will evaluate your dog’s dehydration, look for discomfort or anomalies in the belly and rectum and evaluate the quality of their feces.

Fecal Analysis

In both acute and chronic colitis, your veterinarian will do a fecal investigation to identify the presence of parasites. Bring a fresh fecal sample in a sealed bag if you take your dog to the vet for diarrhea.

Your veterinarian may diagnose acute colitis based on the medical history, physical exam and fecal study. However, the actual reason is often unclear since acute colitis typically resolves independently.

If diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, it is considered chronic diarrhea and needs additional medical treatment. Typically, this comprises an antibiotic treatment followed by a diet experiment.

Diet Trial

Your veterinarian will typically prescribe a food trial for your dog before proceeding with advanced testing. Prescription diets are low in fat, rich in fiber, and designed for a sensitive gastrointestinal system or with a new protein to test for food allergies.

Abdominal X-Rays or Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal ultrasound is recommended if diarrhea does not improve with a particular diet. This check looks for evidence of foreign material, thickening of the intestinal wall, or swollen lymph nodes in your dog’s intestines. The ultrasound examines the abdomen to indicate what is causing diarrhea.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is the last stage in the diagnosis of colitis. A colonoscopy involves putting your dog under general anesthesia, inserting a camera into their rectum and moving it down the colon.

Your veterinarian will examine your dog for lumps, irritation or abnormalities. He will next obtain samples of the colonic wall to be analyzed further.

How to Treat Colitis in Dogs?

If we talk about colitis in dogs, treatment should also be mentioned. The therapy for canine colitis will differ depending on whether it is acute or chronic. Treatment will also vary based on the condition’s underlying etiology.

Treating Acute Colitis

Acute colitis often gets better within a few days with short therapy.

Your veterinarian may advise your dog to fast for a brief time, followed by small, frequent meals of readily digested food. Food that is easily digested puts less pressure on the dog’s digestive system and allows the colon to repair.

In rare circumstances, veterinarians may give gut-friendly anti-inflammatories to lower colon inflammation and alleviate the dog’s pain. They may also provide your dog probiotics, or healthy gut bacteria, to help rebalance their gut flora and soothe their digestion.

Depending on the source of the colitis, your veterinarian may recommend specific therapies to address the underlying issue. Antibiotics for a bacterial illness or antiparasitic medications if your dog has parasites like worms will also be recommended.

In certain circumstances, anti-spasmodic medicines may be given to your dog to assist the gut walls calm and cease overworking. This lowers the dog’s desire to defecate and aids in the restoration of the dog to its usual toileting habit.

Acute colitis is often triggered by stress. In such a scenario, your vet will recommend medicine to assist calm your dog’s digestive tract.

He will also provide any nutritional modifications you should make to help your dog recover. Then, ensure your dog has enough rest, drink and time to recover from their sickness.

Treating Chronic Colitis

Chronic colitis is a chronic condition that causes symptoms to appear on and off throughout the dog’s life. As a result, therapy is frequently lifelong.

Your dog may be given the same therapies as a dog with acute colitis to treat the active symptoms. Your veterinarian may also prescribe drugs to prevent flare-ups from recurring frequently. However, dietary adjustments are usually part of the therapy for chronic colitis.

Suppose your dog’s colitis is caused by an immunological disease. In that case, he or she may need medicine to decrease the immune system’s response. If the reason is allergies, the dog will need to transition to a different food that excludes the problematic allergen.

What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Treat Colitis in Dogs?

Many factors of appropriate dog care may aid in the prevention of colitis. The lifestyle adjustments that will benefit your pet will be determined by the etiology of their colitis.

Meanwhile, providing your dog a nutritious, balanced, high-quality diet can help avoid gastric discomfort in many circumstances. This includes restricting the kind and quantity of sweets they consume and ensuring they swallow what they exactly should.

The greatest thing to do is guarantee your dog’s healthy lifestyle. However, if you are worried about your canine, consult your veterinarian about what you can do.

Dietary Choices to Help Treat Colitis

Many pet owners who are dealing with colitis in their pets would rather avoid the condition and seek natural therapies wherever feasible.

Ensure your dog is eating high-quality, readily digested food that can help them heal from colitis. It will also help avoid future flare-ups caused by dietary upset.

Dietary adjustments are generally unavoidable in dogs suffering from chronic colitis. This is to avoid components to which they are allergic or intolerant and ensure that their digestive system is not overworked when processing their diet.

A more digestible diet can also assist in easing the symptoms of several disorders that typically cause colitis, such as IBS. This is because comparable factors, such as allergies, food intolerances, or a lack of fiber often worsen these disorders.

What Is the Best Dog Food for Colitis?

Avoiding foods containing common allergens is an excellent place to start. That is why we suggest you stick to specially prepared home-cooked food for canine colitis.

Wheat and meat are two common allergens in dogs. If your puppy has a known sensitivity to specific components, try to avoid including them in their diet.

Suppose your dog does not have any allergies. In that case, however, brown rice may be very beneficial to the digestive system. It’s high in fiber, which aids digestion and gut motility, alleviating your dog’s stomach discomfort.

Some dogs’ digestive systems have improved after switching to a low-fiber diet. Additionally, low-fat diets have been shown to assist dogs exhibiting more minor symptoms linked with chronic colitis when converted to a low-fat diet.

When a dog has colitis, it is usually suggested that their diet have a fat level of between 8 percent and 15 percent.

Dogs can digest lean meat, fish, and eggs more easily. These meals are also highly digestible, which means they leave less residue in the colon and lessen the quantity of waste your dog produces.

Can I Prevent My Dog from Getting Colitis?

While it is not feasible to totally avoid canine colitis, the following precautions may help to lower your dog’s risk of acquiring the disease:

      • Establish a regular worming schedule.
      • Establish a consistent flea treatment regimen since fleas may lead to worms.
      • Give your dog well-balanced, high-fiber food and lots of water.
      • Make sure your dog doesn’t consume anything he shouldn’t.
      • Avoid making drastic dietary modifications for your dog.
      • Maintain a low level of stress.

The Takeaway

Most dogs diagnosed with colitis have a good chance of recovering quickly. They may be treated with a simple adjustment in food and medicine to cure the inflammation or infection in the colon.

Further diagnostic testing should be undertaken in chronic, severe, or recurring instances to establish the specific cause and effective therapy. For many dogs suffering from chronic colitis, tight food restrictions and cautious drug administration keep the illness under control.

Colitis in your dog may be a stressful and unpleasant condition. If you are concerned about your dog’s risk of colitis or if they are experiencing diarrhea regularly, visit your veterinarian to check the treatment and management options.

Nutrition Strength Pure Bovine Colostrum for Dogs

Nutrition Strength Pure Bovine Colostrum for Dogs

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Nutrition Strength Pure Bovine Colostrum for Dogs Supplement, Rich in Antibodies to Protect Against Disease, Support for Immune Function, Digestive System delivers 700 mg of colostrum, which is the first form of milk produced immediately following delivery of the newborn.

Colostrum delivers its nutrients to your pet’s organism in a very concentrated low-volume form to help your dogs by:

  • Providing antibodies to help protect your furry friends against disease and keep them in optimal shape.
  • Delivering a number of growth factors and cytokines — small messenger peptides which control the functioning of the dog immune system.
  • Supplying peptides helpful for the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and drug-induced gut injuries.
  • Providing key components of the adaptive and innate immune systems to help keep them strong.
  • Strengthening your dog’s natural defenses to keep them healthy and happy.

Our tasty grain-, soy- and corn-free bovine colostrum for dogs tablets contain no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors and are formulated with premium ingredients, such as proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs), which have been shown in studies to keep the immune system in balance.

Colostrum is not known to cause side effects. Our colostrum for dogs supplement encourages the colonization of friendly bacteria in the bowel and is suitable for dogs of all breeds and ages.

Image source: Wikimedia / Dan Bennett.

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