Colitis is one of the most uncomfortable illnesses for a dog. Many dogs experience it, and treatment is widely available. Colitis is a disease which causes inflammation of a dog’s colon which makes it difficult for him to pass feces. It can cause diarrhea, pain, and irritation. This article will help you spot the signs of colitis and allow you to make your dog feel more comfortable while he is undergoing treatment.
How is colitis caused?
Colitis can be caused by many different things. One main cause of colitis is your dog having an infection in the colon, or a loss of blood supply to their colon. Other causes include improper feeding of foods which are not intended for dogs, or a chronically inflamed bowel.
Symptoms of Colitis in Dogs
If your dog has colitis, they will be displaying some symptoms which will tell you something is wrong. There are a great many different symptoms for colitis, but here are a few key ones.
Weight loss
If your dog very quickly loses weight it is a sign that something is wrong. Colitis can make dogs lose weight because their bowels are inflamed and therefore cannot digest or absorb food as easily.
Sensitive stomach and back end
If your dog is usually fine with you touching their stomach and suddenly becomes sensitive, growls or snaps when you do so, there is something wrong. Colitis causes abdominal pain due to the swelling putting pressure on the organs in your dog’s stomach.
Extreme tiredness
A healthy dog, who is not an elderly or disabled dog, is usually full of life and energy. All dogs get tired and sleepy, but if your dog doesn’t want to move or go outside when usually they do, this fatigue is a cause for concern. Many different things cause extreme fatigue, but it is vital that your dog is checked out if he experiences this symptom.
Colitis Treatment
The treatment for colitis depends entirely on whatever it is that caused the colitis in your dog’s body. If there is an infection present, your vet will prescribe antibiotics to try to kill it off and help your dog’s body return to normal. If your dog is struggling with a chronic illness such as inflammatory bowel disease, your vet will give your dog an array of different medicine which will both treat the colitis and help sustain his immune system at the same time.
Administering long term medication can be tough on your dog, but you will soon get into a routine if this is the case for you. Ultimately, the goal is to make your dog comfortable and help him or her to enjoy their life to the absolute fullest!
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