What causes gastroenteritis in dogs?

Pets are important members of the family, and their health is always on the minds of their owners. When dogs suffer from gastroenteritis, their owners are often very anxious. Exploring the causes of dog gastroenteritis can help us better prevent and deal with it, and protect the health of our fur children.

Dietary factors are often the first "trigger" for dog gastroenteritis. Those hard and difficult to digest foods, such as unprocessed bones, have sharp edges that may scratch the dog's gastrointestinal lining and cause inflammation. Some owners feed their dogs human food on the table out of love, but they don't know that onions, chocolate, etc. are deadly "poisons" for dogs. Onions contain ingredients that destroy dog ​​red blood cells, and theobromine in chocolate can cause serious damage to their heart and nervous system. Once eaten by mistake, it is very easy to cause gastroenteritis and even endanger life. In addition, food deterioration should not be ignored. In summer, canned food that has been stored for too long may seem intact on the surface, but in fact it has bred a large number of bacteria. After the dog eats it, the stomach and intestines instantly become a breeding ground for bacteria, and inflammation follows.

In addition to diet, the invasion of bacteria and viruses is also an important reason for dogs to suffer from gastroenteritis. In the living environment of dogs, bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella are everywhere. When dogs come into contact with contaminated water sources and food, or accidentally sniff or lick items contaminated with bacteria when playing outside, these "uninvited guests" will enter the stomach and intestines through the mouth, multiply wildly, and cause infection. The threat of viruses should not be underestimated. Once dogs are infected with canine distemper virus and parvovirus, they will not only have symptoms of gastroenteritis, but may also cause other serious complications, plunging the dog into the abyss of pain. Especially for puppies, their immune systems have not yet fully developed. Like fragile seedlings, they are powerless in the face of viral attacks and are more susceptible to infection.

Parasites are also "invisible killers" that cause dog gastroenteritis. Parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms quietly parasitize in the dog's intestines. Not only do they compete with dogs for nutrition, causing them to become thin and anemic, they also constantly move and bite in the intestines, destroying the intestinal mucosa and causing inflammation. When dogs are outdoors, they may be infected with parasites when they come into contact with soil and grass contaminated with parasite eggs, or swallow fleas and mice infected with parasites. Dogs who are active and like to explore often expose themselves to the risk of parasitic infection because of their curiosity.

The dog's living habits and environmental factors are also closely related to the occurrence of gastroenteritis. If the food is suddenly changed, the dog's stomach and intestines have no time to adapt to the new food ingredients, and the digestive function is disordered, which can easily cause gastroenteritis. Changes in living environment, such as moving and fostering, can cause stress reactions in dogs. The dog's mood becomes anxious and the hormone level in the body changes, which in turn affects the normal function of the stomach and intestines, leading to the occurrence of gastroenteritis. In addition, dogs who lack exercise for a long time have slow gastrointestinal motility and weakened digestive ability. Food stays in the intestines for too long, ferments and rots, and can also cause inflammation.

When dogs suffer from gastroenteritis, they cannot express their pain in words, and can only convey physical discomfort through symptoms such as listlessness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Looking at the furry children who were once lively and energetic, now drooping, the owner's heartache is hard to express. To prevent the occurrence of gastroenteritis, the owner needs to be more careful and patient in daily life. Choosing suitable food, deworming regularly, keeping the living environment clean and hygienic, and giving dogs a stable and comfortable living environment, these seemingly ordinary little things are the key to protecting the dog's gastrointestinal health.

The health of dogs is in the hands of their owners. Understanding the causes of gastroenteritis is the first step for us to protect them. Every careful feeding and every careful care is a deep love for dogs. May we all be the guardians of dogs' health, keep them away from the troubles of gastroenteritis, grow happily in a loving environment, and accompany us through long and beautiful years.