Colonitis in Dogs

There are a few fairly common ailments in dogs that you must be on the lookout for. Colonitis, or colitis, is one of these. Boxers are especially prone to the colonitis, and may develop chronic colitis, resulting in ongoing treatment. Luckily, colonitis is rarely serious.

What it is

Colonitis is inflammation of the dog's colon, and may be accompanied by ulcers in the colon wall. This is called ulcerative colonitis.

Causes

The inflammation in the colon may be a result of an inflammatory bowel disease or by whipworms. Some veterinarians believe stress may also be a cause.

Symptoms

If your dog has painful defecation, abnormal flatulence, bloody stool, mucus in his stool or chronic diarrhea, or is straining when he tries to defecate, he may have colonitis.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian may have to give your dog a colonoscopy or take a colon biopsy in order to diagnose colonitis.

Treatment

After treating the cause of the inflammation, either the disease or the whipworm infestation, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or corticosteriods. Sometimes you may be asked to put your dog on a hypoallergenic diet.

References

• Dog Bible; Kristin Mehus-Roe; 2005.