Introduction to Digestive Disorders of Dogs

Signs of digestive system disease can include excessive drooling, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or regurgitation, loss of appetite, bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating, straining to defecate, shock, and dehydration. The location and nature of the disease often can be determined by the signs your pet shows. For example, abnormalities of biting, chewing, and swallowing usually are associated with diseases of the mouth, the teeth, the jaw, or the esophagus. Vomiting is usually due to inflammation of the lining of stomach or intestines (gastroenteritis) caused by infection or irritation. However, vomiting can also be caused by a nondigestive condition, such as kidney disease.

Diarrhea is often a sign of digestive system disorders, but it can have many causes. Large-volume, watery diarrhea usually is associated with hypersecretion, a condition in which excess fluid is secreted into the intestines. This can be caused by bacterial infection.

Diarrhea can also be caused by malabsorption, the failure to properly absorb nutrients. Malabsorption is due to a defect in the intestinal cells responsible for absorption. This condition can be caused by several viruses (for example, canine parvovirus, coronavirus, rotavirus). Malabsorption may also be caused by any defect that limits the ability of the intestines to absorb liquids, or by defects in the pancreatic secretions needed for effective digestion. In rare cases, newborn pups may have diarrhea while they are being fed milk because they are unable to digest lactose. Dehydration and electrolyte (salt) imbalance, which may lead to shock, are seen when large quantities of fluid are lost (for example, from diarrhea).

Changes in the color, consistency, or frequency of feces are another sign of digestive problems. Black, tarry feces may be a sign of bleeding in the stomach or small intestine. Straining during bowel movements is usually associated with inflammation of the rectum and anus. Abdominal distention (bloating) can result from accumulation of gas, fluid, or ingested food, usually due to reduced activity of the muscles that move food through the digestive system. Distention can also be caused by a physical obstruction, such as a foreign object or intussusception (“telescoping” of one part of the intestines into another), or from something as simple as overeating.

Abdominal pain is due to stretching or inflammation of abdominal membranes, and it can vary in severity. A dog may react to abdominal pain by whining, pacing, and abnormal postures (for example, the forelimbs outstretched, the chest on the floor, and the back legs raised).

Your complete, accurate description of your dog’s history (age, signs of illness, current diet, past problems, exposure to other dogs, and so on) combined with a veterinarian’s clinical examination can often determine the cause of a digestive system problem. When a digestive system disorder is suspected, your veterinarian’s initial examination might include a visual inspection of the mouth and abdomen for changes in size or shape; a “hands on” inspection of the abdomen (through the abdominal wall or through the rectum) to evaluate shape, size, and position of the abdominal organs; and listening through a stethoscope for any abnormal abdominal sounds. The veterinarian may also want to inspect your dog’s feces. When you call to make an appointment with your veterinarian, it is a good idea to ask whether you should bring along a recent stool sample to help with diagnosis.

Depending on what the initial examination reveals, additional tests might be needed to determine the cause of the problem. These might include laboratory tests on samples containing blood or feces to determine whether bacteria or viruses are involved, as well as specialized procedures such as x‑ray imaging, ultrasonography, or using an endoscope to perform an internal examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and/or rectum. Sometimes it is necessary to collect fluid from swollen abdominal organs or from the abdominal cavity for analysis; this is done with a long, hollow needle. Other tests that are sometimes needed include biopsies (sampling and microscopic analysis) of liver or intestinal tissue and blood tests to detect possible malabsorption or maldigestion.

Because it is easy for foreign organisms and other “invaders” to enter the digestive tract through the mouth, this body system is prone to infection by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms ( see Table: Infections of the Digestive System in Dogs). These infections spread in various ways, but the most common are by direct contact or by contamination of food or water by feces.

People and animals all have small numbers of certain intestinal microorganisms that are found within the digestive tract—most commonly in the intestines—and that become established within a few hours after birth. These so-called intestinal flora are actually beneficial, in some cases aiding in digestion and in others helping to prevent infection. However, sometimes infections occur when these organisms, normally found in small numbers, suddenly multiply. This can occur after a period of stress, under unhygienic conditions, or in an animal whose immune system is weakened.

Diagnosis of a specific infectious disease depends on finding and identifying the organism suspected to cause the disease. This may require one or more fecal samples, which will be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory.

Parasites are a frequent cause of digestive tract disorders in animals. Many species of parasites can infect the digestive tract and cause disease. The life cycles of some parasites are direct, which means that there is only one host. Eggs and larvae are passed in the feces, develop into an infective stage, and are eaten by your pet. No other animals or organisms are needed to complete the life cycle. Other parasites have complex life cycles that involve an intermediate host, such as an insect. In this situation, infection is acquired when the intermediate host—or parasite shed by that host—is consumed by your pet. The extent to which a parasite affects an animal depends on the parasite itself, as well as the animal’s own resistance, age, nutrition, and overall health.

Parasites can cause severe disease or simply decrease your dog’s overall fitness. Some of these parasites also infect humans. Because signs of parasite infection are similar to those seen in other illnesses, diagnosis depends on the veterinarian’s knowledge of seasonal cycles of parasite infection, as well as examination of feces for evidence of parasite eggs or larvae. In some cases, blood tests can also be used to detect the presence of parasites.

Many digestive system diseases are not caused by infective organisms. Their causes include overeating, eating poor-quality or indigestible food, chemicals, obstruction caused by swallowing foreign objects, or injury to the digestive system. Digestive system disease can also be caused by enzyme deficiencies, damage to the digestive tract (such as from gastric ulcers or inflammation), or birth defects. Digestive system signs such as vomiting and diarrhea may also occur because of other diseases in the body, such as kidney, liver, or adrenal gland disease. The causes are uncertain in several diseases, including twisting of the stomach (gastric torsion) in dogs. In noninfectious diseases of the digestive tract, usually only a single animal is affected at one time; exceptions are diseases associated with excessive food intake or poisons, in which multiple animals living together can be affected.

Specific disorders and their treatments are described later in this chapter; however, some general principles are listed in this section. Eliminating the cause of the disease is the primary objective of veterinary treatment; however, a major part of treatment is often directed at the signs of the disease and is intended to relieve pain, correct abnormalities, and allow healing to occur.

Elimination of the cause of the disease may involve drugs that kill bacteria or parasites, antidotes for poisons, or surgery to correct defects or displacements.

Use of drugs to correct diarrhea or constipation is done depending on the specific case. Although such drugs might seem to be a logical choice, they are not beneficial in every situation. For example, diarrhea can actually be a defense mechanism for the animal, helping it to eliminate harmful organisms and their toxins. In addition, the available drugs may not always give consistent results.

Replacement of fluids and electrolytes (salts) is necessary in cases where the animal is at risk of dehydration, such as from excessive vomiting or diarrhea.

Relief of distension (bloating) by stomach tube or surgery may be required if the digestive tract has become obstructed, twisted, or distended with gas, fluid, or food.

Pain relief is sometimes provided. However, a dog being given pain medicine must be watched carefully to ensure that the pain relief is not masking a condition that is becoming worse.

Also see professional content regarding the digestive system.