Gastritis is a condition that manifests through the inflammation of the stomach lining, which leads to vomiting and discomfort. When the vomit contains blood, the dog may be affected by hemorrhagic gastritis, which means that the stomach lining is also bleeding. The dog requires supportive care and may need to spend a few days in the hospital until the condition is stabilized. The condition may be temporary and a change in diet is recommended.
Causes of Hemorrhagic Gastritis in Dogs
Gastritis in dogs may be caused by indigestion, overeating or food intolerance. However, hemorrhagic gastritis occurs if the dog has chronic indigestion or has ingested certain chemicals or toxic materials. Other possible causes of gastritis include:
- The lengthy administration of certain drugs such as aspirin or antibiotics
- The ingestion of a sharp object that causes wounds on the lining of the stomach
- Infections affecting the stomach
- Internal parasites
- Sepsis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Stomach tumors
Hemorrhagic gastritis may be a secondary problem in dogs with an underlying condition such as:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoadrenocorticism
- Gastric ulcer
In some cases, the hemorrhagic gastritis is idiopathic.
Symptoms of Hemorrhagic Gastritis
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. In the case of acute gastritis, the dog will vomit for no more than 7 days. If the dog vomits for more than 1 week, he is diagnosed with chronic gastritis. Hemorrhagic gastritis is typically associated with chronic gastritis. In addition to vomiting blood, the dog will also present some other symptoms:
- Lack of appetite
- General state of weakness
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea, may have dark blood in it and may have a black color, which is the digested blood
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Diagnosing Gastritis in Canines
Hemorrhagic gastritis can be diagnosed based on the symptoms that the dog displays. However, bloody vomit may also be indicative of several other conditions, so the vet will have to perform additional tests to determine if the pet is affected by gastritis and to establish if the dog has an underlying condition that leads to hemorrhagic gastritis.
Treatment Options for Hemorrhagic Gastritis in Dogs
The dog will have to fast for 24 hours, so that his stomach can rest and be able to recover. However, if the dog has ingested a sharp object or something toxic, the vet will perform an emergency procedure to remove these from the dog’s system. The dog may require hospitalization and close monitoring. IV fluids will be administered to dogs that are severely dehydrated. If there are underlying conditions that require attention, these will have to be treated as well. Often, the dog will receive a change in diet. Dewormers will be applied if the dog has parasites. If the condition is idiopathic, the vet will recommend a hypoallergenic diet and the dog will be monitored to see if there is any improvement.