How do you treat an inflamed stomach in a dog?

When a normally lively and energetic dog suddenly becomes loss of appetite, listless, accompanied by frequent vomiting and diarrhea, every nerve of the owner tenses up. Seeing it curled up in the corner in discomfort, with helplessness in its eyes, as if silently crying for help, the heartache and anxiety are beyond words. An inflamed stomach in a dog is like a "land" invaded by illness, and we need to use professional methods and full of love to help it regain its vitality. Understanding how to scientifically and effectively treat a dog's inflamed stomach has become a key task for the owner to safeguard the health of their beloved pet.

The causes of a dog's stomach inflammation are complex and diverse, and accurately determining the cause is a prerequisite for effective treatment. Accidental ingestion of sharp foreign objects that scratch the stomach, eating spoiled or indigestible food, bacterial or viral infections, and parasitic infestations can all trigger stomach inflammation. For example, if a dog secretly rummages through the trash can and eats spoiled food, it is very likely to cause the growth of bacteria in the stomach and trigger inflammation. And infections with parvovirus or coronavirus can also cause serious damage to the stomach. When the owner finds that the dog shows symptoms of stomach inflammation, they should take it to a pet hospital for a comprehensive examination at the first time. Through blood routine, fecal examination, X-ray or ultrasound examination, etc., the doctor can accurately determine the cause and severity of the dog's stomach inflammation, so as to develop a targeted treatment plan. During the process of waiting for the examination results, the owner is filled with anxiety, just hoping to quickly find the root cause of the dog's discomfort and let it get rid of the illness as soon as possible.

The treatment methods for stomach inflammation caused by different causes also vary. If the stomach inflammation is caused by accidental ingestion of a foreign object, if the foreign object is small and in a relatively shallow position, the doctor may help the dog expel the foreign object by inducing vomiting or enema. If the foreign object is large or has already caused serious situations such as gastrointestinal perforation, surgical treatment is required. And the dog needs a period of recovery after the operation. The owner should carefully take care of it in strict accordance with the doctor's instructions, provide it with a quiet and comfortable resting environment, control its diet, and ensure the smooth healing of the wound.

For stomach inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infections, drug treatment is the main means. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics, antiviral drugs, as well as anti-vomiting and anti-diarrheal drugs according to the type and severity of the infection. These drugs can effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of pathogens and relieve the dog's uncomfortable symptoms. When giving medicine to the dog, the owner often needs to take some trouble. Some dogs resist taking medicine, and the owner can mix the medicine into a small amount of delicious canned food or nutritional paste to guide the dog to eat it. Or use a pill dispenser to carefully put the medicine into the dog's mouth. Every time of giving medicine is a test of the owner's patience, just to make the dog recover as soon as possible. At the same time, in order to prevent the dog from having dehydration symptoms, it is also necessary to replenish water and electrolytes in a timely manner, which can be carried out by oral rehydration salts or intravenous infusion.

In addition to drug treatment, dietary regulation plays a crucial role in the recovery process of a dog's stomach. In the initial stage of a dog's stomach inflammation, it usually needs to be fasted for 12 to 24 hours to allow the stomach to have a full rest. But it is necessary to ensure that the dog can drink clean water at any time to prevent dehydration. After the fasting period ends, gradually introduce light and easily digestible foods, such as white rice porridge and chicken porridge. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken, cut it into small pieces and cook it, and then add it to the cooked rice porridge. These foods can provide energy for the dog without causing too much burden on the stomach. You can also choose pet-specific prescription food, which is easy to digest and absorb and can meet the nutritional needs of the dog during the illness. When feeding, follow the principle of feeding small meals frequently. Divide the amount of food for a day into 4 to 6 times of feeding, and gradually return to a normal diet as the dog's condition improves.

During the process of treating a dog's inflamed stomach, the supplementation of probiotics cannot be ignored. Probiotics can regulate the balance of the intestinal flora, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and promote the repair of the intestinal mucosa. You can choose pet-specific probiotics and mix them into the food according to the dosage in the instructions for feeding. At the same time, pay attention to keeping the dog warm and avoid the abdomen getting cold, because cold stimulation will aggravate the stomach discomfort. You can lay a soft and warm mat in the place where the dog sleeps, and put on a small piece of clothing for the dog if necessary.

Taking care of a dog with an inflamed stomach is a challenging "guardianship journey". The owner needs to pay close attention to the changes in the dog's condition at all times and give it meticulous care. When seeing the dog gradually regain its spirit from the initial listlessness, start to eat actively, and wag its tail happily again, a sense of relief and great achievement well up in the owner's heart. All the hard work and efforts turn into comfort and blessings for the dog's health at this moment. This experience of jointly overcoming the illness with the dog also deepens the relationship between the owner and the dog, becoming an unforgettable warm memory in each other's lives.