Enteritis in dogs

Features and types of the disease

The development of enteritis in dogs occurs as a result of the penetration of viruses into the body: parvovirus and coronavirus. Therefore, there are two types of disease: parvovirus and coronavirus enteritis. There is also a mixed form of the disease, inflammation of a bacterial nature and a disease caused by other, non-infectious, causes (for example, improper nutrition). The greatest danger to the pet's life is viral enteritis.

Parvovirus, once in the body, begins to multiply very quickly. The intestinal mucosa undergoes destruction, erosion and necrotization in a short time. In parallel, the infection penetrates into the heart, where it destroys myocardial cells.

In addition, being in the bloodstream, parvovirus "corrodes" the walls of blood vessels and changes the composition of blood. All this is happening so rapidly that when the first signs of the disease appear, the vessels, heart and intestines have already undergone structural changes. Severe poisoning of the dog's body with virus toxins can lead to death in the first days of the disease.

Coronavirus has a weaker effect and does not affect the heart muscle. However, even in this case, without timely and proper treatment, the animal will die.

The incubation period for enteritis is from 2 to 10 days. The viruses released at this time are characterized by high resistance to temperature conditions and disinfectants. So, in ordinary home conditions, they can remain viable for up to 5-6 months or more.

Causes of enteritis in dogs

There are several reasons why a four-legged friend can get infected with enteritis.

• Vaccination has not been carried out. All puppies need to be vaccinated against enteritis. Otherwise, the baby can catch the virus without leaving the house (by sniffing the owner's shoes).
• Improper nutrition. This is a common cause of enteritis of a non-viral nature. The small intestine (as well as the stomach and colon) becomes inflamed with excessively high or low temperature of food, an abundance of spices and other components unsuitable for a dog. Enteritis can be triggered by a sharp change in diet, early weaning from the mother, poor-quality food, poisoning, and so on.
• Weak immune system. Makes the pet vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
• Worms. The abundance of parasites in a dog weakens the immune system, disrupts digestion, promotes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

How a dog can get infected with viral enteritis

Since the virus is able to remain viable for a long period of time, any discharge (feces, urine, saliva, vomiting, etc.) of a sick animal on the street is a dangerous source of infection for a healthy dog. A pet can get infected by sniffing, licking, if it steps on an infected place, and later licks it. The virus can be found anywhere: on the grass, in a puddle, on a stick that the owner picked up to play with his pet.

There is a high probability of infection with enteritis with direct contact of animals – it is enough just to sniff an infected dog (he may look healthy). Even a fully domestic dog can get sick with intestinal inflammation if the owner brings the virus into the house on the sole.

Enteritis symptoms

Regardless of the type of enteritis, the dog has symptoms such as:

• frequent vomiting;
• frequent diarrhea;
• putrid smell of feces;
• exhaustion;
• apathy.

Intestinal and cardiac forms are characterized by different signs (in addition to the above).

Attention: before treating a pet, you need to determine the type of disease and pathogen. This is possible only by laboratory diagnostics. Procrastination can cost the dog his life, so you should immediately take him to a veterinary clinic.

Enteritis diagnosis

Despite the fact that every minute counts, the dog will have to take urine, blood and feces for examination. With the help of these laboratory tests, the doctor will be able to differentiate the viral nature of enteritis from plague, helminthiasis, hepatitis, gastroenteritis of another nature. The results will help to find out the cause of diarrhea and vomiting: virus, bacteria, poisoning or other, depending on which appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

Treatment of enteritis in dogs

Treatment of enteritis in dogs can take place both in a hospital and at home, depending on the condition of the animal. The therapy scheme is determined by a specialist based on laboratory data and the condition of the dog. Therapeutic measures are complex in nature and are aimed at solving the following tasks:

• destroy the virus;
• prevent dehydration;
• stop diarrhea and vomiting;
• remove toxins;
• strengthen and stimulate the activity of the immune system;
• normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and heart.

Note: mainly injectable forms of drugs are used for treatment, since the state of the gastrointestinal tract prevents the normal assimilation of medicinal substances.

Provided the therapy is well-designed and timely provided, the improvement will be noticeable within a day after its start.

Medical treatment

The following groups of medications are indicated for enteritis.

Additional medications may be prescribed. For example, if enteritis is caused or complicated by worms, the doctor will prescribe an anthelmintic agent corresponding to the age of the animal and the characteristics of the clinical case.

Gastric and intestinal lavage

In case of viral enteritis, it is recommended to wash the intestines and stomach with a syringe. This makes it possible to prevent and/or reduce the intensity of rotting and fermentation processes.

The solution is prepared from boiled water at room temperature and several crystals of potassium permanganate. When it dissolves (the water should be slightly pink), you need to fill the syringe with liquid and inject the pet into the anus.

It is necessary to put enemas until the fluid flowing out of the intestine becomes clean. The same applies to the introduction of the solution into the mouth – during vomiting, only the injected water should flow out.

Diet

Proper nutrition is of great importance in the treatment of enteritis in dogs. The animal should be on full starvation in the first days of the disease. An inflamed digestive tract will not be able to accept and, moreover, digest food. In addition, food (even if it comes back in the form of vomiting) will require additional energy costs from an exhausted body. The only thing that a dog should have constantly nearby is a bowl of clean boiled water.

As the pet's condition normalizes, it can begin to introduce food in liquid form. These can be low-fat broths, cereals boiled in water (rice, oat flakes). After a week, it is allowed to feed boiled lean fish, freed from bones, boiled egg and / or chicken white meat. To restore the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, food should be given often and in small portions, in a crushed form.

Attention: in no case should you feed your dog with fatty, dairy and raw products!

Additional therapeutic measures

Treatment of viral enteritis at home involves daily sanitary treatment not only of those items to which the dog is directly related (leash, bowl, litter, etc.), but also of the entire room. Pet's things need to be boiled, if possible, it is better to replace them with new ones (old ones are recommended to be burned). Interior items should be treated with disinfectants. Ideally, it is desirable to square the housing. All these measures will prevent re-infection of the pet.

Preventive measures

Prevention of enteritis in dogs is as follows:

• timely vaccination;
• protect your pet from extraneous "acquaintances";
• observe sanitary and hygienic standards in the house;
• keep the dog's place clean;
• be attentive to changes in the animal's condition by contacting a veterinarian in time.

Can a person or other animals become infected with enteritis

No, a sick pet is not dangerous for humans and cats. Enteritis viruses are not transmitted to dog owners and non-canine animals.

What vaccines can be used against enteritis in dogs

Vaccines of both Russian and foreign production are used for preventive purposes against parvovirus enteritis. Among them: Nobivak, Hexodog, Pentodog, Multican and others. Some drugs have a preventive effect not only against parvovirus, but also coronavirus (Multican).

According to what scheme are vaccinations against enteritis

For the first time, the vaccine is given to puppies at the age of a little more than 1 month. Then the vaccination takes place according to the scheme: 2 times with a break of 3-4 weeks. The scheme is built individually, depending on the physical condition of the puppy, other vaccinations, deworming and other factors. After reaching the age of one year, dogs should be vaccinated once a year.

Can a vaccinated dog get infected with enteritis

Vaccinating a pet reduces the risk of infection with viral enteritis as much as possible. However, the probability of the disease still remains and is about 5%. Perhaps this is due to insufficient care of the dog, low immunity, the presence of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. However, even if the animal develops this dangerous disease, it proceeds in a less pronounced form and is easier to treat. The death of the dog in this case is reduced to zero.

What is the danger of enteritis for a dog: complications

Unfortunately, not for all recovered animals, the disease passes without a trace. A dog after enteritis may have such consequences and complications as:

• adhesions in the intestine;
• gastrointestinal obstruction;
• rupture of the small intestine wall;
• heart failure;
• peritonitis;
• myocarditis;
• inflammation of the pancreas, liver;
• infertility in females;
• limb paralysis and others.

Which dogs are at risk

Most often, viral enteritis affects puppies and young animals. This is due to the fact that parvovirus "loves" young, dividing tissues in which its reproduction occurs most actively and rapidly. Elderly dogs rarely suffer from this disease.

There is no special predisposition among the breeds. However, there are differences in the course of the disease: dobermans, shepherds and whippets suffer enteritis more than others. With regard to gender, it has been noticed that males are more susceptible to the disease than bitches.

Differences between enteritis and distemper

The clinical picture of enteritis in dogs is similar to that of distemper , but still has differences:

• there is no purulent discharge from the animal's eyes;
• no damage to the nervous system;
• lungs are not damaged;
• with enteritis, a sharp increase in temperature to 41 C is possible.

Can a dog get enteritis again

Yes, if the dog got sick with enteritis and then recovered, then the probability of re-infection still remains. It is reassuring that the disease will occur in a milder form, and the probability of pet death is reduced to a minimum.

What is the prognosis of the disease

In the absence of timely veterinary care, the prognosis of the disease, unfortunately, is unfavorable: mortality in puppyhood from parvovirus is almost 90-95%, and in adulthood – half of the sick animals. With coronavirus infection, the indicators are lower, but the risk of losing a pet remains high.

Only timely vaccination and attentive and sensitive attitude of the owner can prevent the death of a beloved animal from viral enteritis.