What Is Colitis And How Can It Be Treated?
Colitis is a condition that can occur in dogs in which the intestines or the colon are inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by a number of different health issues. Colitis can usually be treated by your veterinarian and is diagnosed with an exam from the veterinarian. If your dog has colitis, there are signs to watch out for that may indicate this health condition. Read on for a few of the signs to look out for and how it can be treated, as well as other information about colitis.
Signs And Symptoms Of Colitis
If your dog has colitis, your dog may have loose or runny stools. Your dog may also have to go out to go to the bathroom often and may have accidents in the house when you aren't home. Your dog may also have small stools that occur frequently, or you may notice straining when trying to have a bowel movement. Your dog's stools may also have small amounts of blood as well. You may also notice other issues or concerns such as vomiting and heavy panting.
Causes Of Colitis
There are a number of things that can cause colitis. Colitis can be caused by an infection, or it can be caused by a parasite in the body. Your dog may also have anxiety or stress that is causing colitis. Your dog could also have colitis from eating food or treats that are contaminated. Your dog's inflammation can also be caused by a growth or tumor in the intestines or colon.
Treatment Of Colitis
If you suspect your dog has colitis and is exhibiting signs of colitis, you should take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup and exam to determine if this is what is going on with your dog. If your dog does in fact have colitis, it can be treated with medication such as antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory and a limitation of treats, as well as decreasing the amount of food you are giving to your dog for a while. If your dog is still having issues, you should have your dog's intestines x-rayed by the veterinarian to be sure there aren't any growths in the intestines or the colon.
If your dog has colitis, you need to take your dog to a local animal health service to be treated. If your dog is straining to have a bowel movement, or you see blood in your dog's stools, it's something that needs to be treated right away.