| CANINE COLITIS |
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Colitis is an inflammation of the colon that is common to dogs.
Colitis is responsible for approximately 50% of all cases of chronic
diarrhea in young, large breed dogs.
The causes of colitis may
include inflammatory bowel disease, whipworms, and irritable bowel
syndrome (a motility disorder often associated with highly-strung
dogs).
In brief “colitis” is the term for inflammation of the colon. The chief
feature of colitis is a gooey diarrhea, featuring mucus, fresh blood or
both. The stool may start normal then finish soft or may seem gooey
throughout.
There is often accompanying cramping, gas, and a sense of immediate urgency
(the sudden need to run for a bathroom). Vomiting can be a feature of this
condition though it is the characteristic diarrhea that is the
hallmark. Colitis may be acute (lasting only a few days) or chronic (lasting
weeks or months on end). Even in chronic case, weight loss is usually not a
feature of this condition. |
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| Clinical signs |
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In classifying diarrhea, it is important to determine whether the problem
relates to the small intestine (diarrheas originating here are more serious)
or large intestine. Diarrheas of the large intestine have the following
common characteristics:
- They are not associated with weight loss.
- They are associated with straining and sense of sudden urgency.
- They often involve fresh blood in the stool.
- They often involve slime or mucus in the stool.
- They often involve a stool that starts normal and finishes loose.
- They involve stool quality that is more gooey or slimy than
watery.
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| Diagnosis |
A diagnosis of colitis is generally straight forward given the
above classic findings though how one should proceed depends on the course
of the signs. Is the problem acute (i.e. suddenly there) or chronic (been
happening for several weeks regularly) or episodic (happens then goes away
then happens again)?
Diagnosis of colitis requires a complete physical examination to
rule out possible other disease and ensure that the animal is not
suffering from a malabsorption disorder. Your veterinarian will need
a fecal sample to search for parasites, which may be causing the
disorder. Depending on the clinical signs, your veterinarian may
also recommend radiography (x-rays), colonoscopy or a biopsy. |
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| Treatment |
Treatment of colitis depends on the underlying cause of the
inflammation. Pets suffering from parasitic infections may simply be
given a wormer. Bacterial infections may require that the animal be
placed on antibiotics for up to a month. Inflammation that has not
been associated with an infectious agent may require longer-term
anti-inflammatory treatment. Prescription diets containing
high-fiber content may also be recommended to help maintain colonic
health and encourage normal defecation.
Antibiotics such as Metronidazole (Flagyl) are normally prescribed to help
control bacterial causes and sulfa-containing drugs such as Azulfadine are
often used long term to treat chronic colitis. In certain cases, steroids
such as prednisone may be used. |
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your dog is diagnosed with colitis, follow your vet’s recommended treatment,
which will depend on the cause of the colitis. |
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| Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. Günbil German shepherd dogs, worldclassgsd.com and or Günbil German shepherds, accepts no liability related to the veterinary advice and
information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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