Colitis and Digestive Problems in Dogs
Colitis is inflammation of the colon, or large intestine. It commonly causes frequent, urgent diarrhoea that may contain fresh blood or mucus. Some cases settle quickly, while recurrent or severe symptoms need veterinary investigation.
Possible Signs
- Frequent loose stools or diarrhoea
- Fresh blood or mucus in the stool
- Urgency and repeated attempts to pass a stool
- Straining while passing only a small amount
- Abdominal discomfort
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting or lethargy in some cases
Possible Causes
Acute colitis can be associated with:
- Eating unfamiliar, spoiled or unsuitable food
- A sudden change of diet
- Stress
- Worms, Giardia or other parasites
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Medication or exposure to a toxin
Recurrent digestive problems may be caused by a food-responsive condition, chronic enteropathy, parasites, pancreatic disease or another underlying illness.
“IBS” is sometimes used informally, but persistent signs need a proper veterinary diagnosis rather than being assumed to be irritable bowel syndrome.
When to Contact Your Vet
Contact your vet promptly if your dog has blood or mucus in the diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, reduced appetite, lethargy or severe watery diarrhoea.
Veterinary advice is also important for puppies, elderly dogs, dogs with another medical condition, dogs taking medication and any dog whose diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours.
Repeated vomiting, weakness, collapse, a swollen or very painful abdomen, suspected poisoning, or an inability to keep water down requires urgent veterinary attention.
Diagnosis
Your vet will consider the dog’s symptoms, diet, recent changes, parasite control and general health. Take a fresh stool sample if the practice requests one.
Tests may include examination of a stool sample, blood tests, imaging, dietary trials or further investigation of the digestive tract. Recurrent symptoms should be investigated rather than repeatedly treated at home.
Feeding and Hydration
Keep fresh water available unless your vet advises otherwise. Diarrhoea and vomiting can cause dehydration, particularly in puppies, older dogs and small breeds.
Do not automatically withhold food for 24 hours. Current advice depends on the dog’s age, health and symptoms. For a mild episode in an otherwise well adult dog, your vet may recommend small, frequent meals of an easily digested diet.
Avoid rich food, fatty treats, table scraps and sudden diet changes. Longer-term diets—including high-fibre, low-fat, hydrolysed or novel-protein diets—should be selected according to the diagnosis.
Probiotics and Fibre
A vet may recommend a veterinary probiotic or a particular source of fibre, such as psyllium, for some dogs. These products are not suitable for every cause of diarrhoea, and the correct amount varies.
Do not combine several digestive supplements without advice. Supplements should not delay investigation when symptoms are severe, bloody or recurrent.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include parasite treatment, dietary management, fluids, medication for nausea, or treatment for inflammation.
Antibiotics are not routinely required for every episode of colitis. Anti-inflammatory or immune-modifying medicines may be prescribed for particular chronic conditions after appropriate investigation.
Aloe Vera Is Not a Home Treatment
Do not syringe aloe-vera juice into a dog to treat colitis or digestive disease. Products vary considerably, may contain unsuitable components and can cause further digestive upset.
There is no reliable evidence that aloe-vera juice treats canine colitis, ulcers, diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease. Ask your vet before giving any herbal or complementary product.
Further information
PDSA: Diarrhoea in Dogs
