Acute Colitis in Dogs

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By Yvette Marie
eHow Contributing Writer

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Just like people, your canine companion is susceptible to intestinal upset, and it makes him just as uncomfortable as it makes you. Acute (sudden onset and short duration) colitis is the inflammation of your dog's colon and large intestine. An occasional bout of acute colitis is not uncommon in dogs, so don't panic. Just stay vigilant, listen to your veterinarian and your best friend will probably be bouncing on all fours in a few days.

Symptoms

Call the doctor...
Watch for the following symptoms in your dog: repeated vomiting, mucus tinged/bloody diarrhea, straining to defecate while producing no stool, lethargy and loss of appetite. If your dog exhibits these signs, call your veterinarian.

Causes

Acute colitis can be caused by trauma, infection, parasites, a foreign body, food allergy, an inflammatory disorder or a more serious illness like colon cancer or pancreatitis.

Treatment

A bland diet will be in order.
Your veterinarian will probably recommend symptomatic treatments for your dog including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-motility drugs, deworming and a bland diet.

Further Diagnosis

If your dog does not improve in a few days, your veterinarian will probably recommend a battery of tests including lab work, X-rays, fecal analysis, urinalysis and a colonscopic examination to look for secondary illnesses.

Prevention

You can't always prevent acute colitis. To help stave it off, avoid exposing your dog to infectious agents, protect her from worms and parasites and never make an abrupt dietary change.