About Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Canines
A dog's digestive system is very similar to a human's. This means they are also subject to a lot of digestive illnesses that people get, including irritable bowel syndrome, which some veterinarians prefer to call colitis. This is not a lethal condition, but it can cause a lot of misery in dogs just as in humans.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms include diarrhea as well as mucus clearly seen on the stools. The dog also could have constipation, with mucus-covered stools smaller than normal. The dog will not want you to touch his abdomen.
Causes
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The causes of irritable bowel syndrome could be another infection or a sign that the dog is under too much stress.
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Considerations
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Irritable bowel syndrome could be a secondary manifestation of another illness, so it's important to get the dog to a vet for a proper diagnosis.
Time Frame
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This tends to be a chronic problem throughout a dog's life, instead of a one-time infection. However, it is manageable.
Treatment
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Treatment includes medications to ease the cramps and gas, a change to a new high-fiber diet and cutting out all people food. Looking for and changing the reasons why the dog is stressed is also recommended.
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Resources
- Photo Credit IBS can make a dog tired and depressed. (Image from Wikimedia Commons.)
