Chronic gastritis in dogs and cats

Gastritis in dogs

Gastritis in dogs is inflammation or simply irritation of the gastric mucosa, one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastritis in dogs is inflammation or simply irritation of the stomach mucosa, one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastritis can be acute or chronic and in any case causes discomfort for the dog, although it is relatively easy to treat. It develops at any age and in all breeds.

Inflammation occurs for many reasons. The most common are a violation of the diet, low-quality food (for example, food from the owners’ table, often spicy, fried or too fatty), ingestion of an inedible object, or poisoning from waste. In some cases, gastritis only accompanies a systemic disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

There are no specific signs of gastritis in a dog; many symptoms are similar to simple poisoning or other similar diseases. In general cases, the dog is observed to vomit, and a little less often - diarrhea. The animal refuses to eat, whines, and behaves restlessly.

Gastritis

This is inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining. Gastritis can occur as a result of an animal ingesting substances that damage the stomach wall, such as grass, bones, foreign bodies or poor-quality feed. In addition, gastritis in dogs and cats can occur as a secondary disease against the background of a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. Another quite common reason for the development of gastritis is the use of medications such as aspirin, antibiotics and steroids.

Acute gastritis most often goes away on its own within two to three days, but if the symptoms are observed for a longer period of time, then this condition in the animal can become chronic.

The main clinical signs of acute gastritis are:

vomiting (there may be secondary vomiting of a foamy consistency, yellow in color)
loss of appetite
pain in the abdominal area
diarrhea
fever and weakness if the cause is a viral or bacterial infection.

When making a diagnosis, doctors at the Zovet Veterinary Center are based on clinical signs, blood and stool tests. If necessary, an X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract or gastroscopy is performed.

Treatment of gastritis depends on the general condition of the animal and the stage of the pathological process. The main preventative measures are proper, nutritious feeding.

Etiology

Chronic gastritis in dogs and cats is very common.

There are several types of chronic gastritis (for example, lymphocytonic plasmacytic, eosinophilic, granulomatous, atrophic). Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis in dogs and cats can be an immune and/or inflammatory reaction to various antigens. Helicobacter can cause a similar reaction in some animals (especially cats). Physaloptera rara infestation appears to be accompanied by a similar reaction in dogs. Eosinophilic gastritis in dogs and cats may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction to food antigens. Atrophic gastritis may be a consequence of chronic inflammation of the stomach and/or the development of an immune mechanism. Ollulanus tricuspis can cause granulomatous gastritis in cats.

What is gastritis in dogs

Among the numerous diseases of internal organs in small domestic animals, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract occupies one of the leading places in terms of frequency of occurrence and number of deaths, along with diseases of the cardiovascular system, tumors and traumatic lesions [6]. The main cause of death of animals due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is untimely or unreliable diagnosis, as well as the lack of comprehensive corrective therapy.

Gastrointestinal diseases remain a pressing problem of modern veterinary medicine and deserve special attention [9,39]. In the general structure of gastroenterological pathology in small domestic animals, gastritis and gastroenteritis are the most common [12]. As is known, the diagnosis of gastritis in small domestic animals is limited to general research methods, but they are inaccurate and only allow one to make an assumption about the presence of gastritis in the animal [13].

It is well known that acute gastritis, in case of untimely diagnosis and inadequate treatment, becomes chronic, complicated by erosive processes and ulcerations, which often leads to the death or culling of the animal [3, 25]. Thus, the relevance of timely and reliable diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of gastritis and gastroenteritis in small domestic animals becomes quite obvious [10].

Goals and objectives. The purpose of the work was to study the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug “Fitodoc-immunostim” in the complex treatment of gastroenteritis in dogs.

To achieve this goal, the following tasks were identified:

clarify and supplement the clinical semiotics of gastritis and gastroenteritis in dogs;
perform an analysis of laboratory data from urine and blood tests for gastritis and gastroenteritis in dogs;
to study the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug “Fitodoc-immunostim” in the complex treatment of gastroenteritis in dogs.

Diagnosis of gastritis in a dog

A history of periodic vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss is often noted.
A history of periodic vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss is often noted. Most cats with eosinophilic gastritis and/or gastroenteritis will have blood in the stool or as melena (black clotted blood). Physical examination reveals a decrease in body weight. In cases where the cause of the disease is hypereosinophilia syndrome, enlarged peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, hepato- and splenomegaly may be detected. In cats, palpation may reveal thickening and dilation of intestinal loops.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with diseases that may cause the development of eosinophilic gastritis. In case of differential diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude idiopathic eosinophilic gastritis. It is also important to exclude damage by intestinal parasites, for which feces are examined. The search for a food component that could cause allergies is carried out using mono-diets (the gradual inclusion of new components in the diet). Using a biopsy, eosinophilic gastritis is differentiated from other inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Laboratory diagnosis of gastritis in a dog

A general blood test can detect eosinophilia (more often in cats than in dogs). With enteropathy (small intestinal diarrhea) with protein loss, hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia are noted. Urinalysis is usually normal. To diagnose systemic mastocytosis, a blood smear is examined for the qualitative and quantitative composition of leukocytes.

With fluoroscopy with a contrast agent, you can see thickening of the intestinal wall and folding, unevenness of the mucous membrane. To evaluate cats with hypereosinophilia syndrome, ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes is indicated, where focal destructive changes can also be detected.

To make a final diagnosis, endoscopic examination and biopsy of the affected tissue are necessary. If mastocytosis is suspected, bone marrow aspiration is recommended. If the above diagnostic methods are insufficiently informative, as well as with organomegaly, laparoscopy or diagnostic lapartomy is indicated, which will accurately determine the nature of the pathology.

Symptoms of gastritis in a dog

The most common symptom of gastritis in dogs is vomiting.
The most common symptom of gastritis in dogs is vomiting. It occurs due to the fact that the irritated pancreas is unable to properly process food.
Read also: Causes of bad odor from a dog’s mouth and methods for eliminating it at home
In acute gastritis, vomiting can last more than a week. The dog refuses to eat, loses weight, and looks depressed. Vomit mixed with mucus and sometimes bile.
A white coating is visible on the tongue, and soreness is noted in the stomach area.
The body temperature may be elevated, and the stool may be thin and dark.
With chronic gastritis, the temperature often does not rise, but the animal loses weight, eats poorly, sometimes vomits, liquid feces, and the mucous membrane of the eyes is jaundiced for no apparent reason. It is not uncommon for a dog to vomit yellow mucus after eating grass.

This form of the disease can last for years.

To confirm the diagnosis, fluoroscopy of the stomach and examination of its contents are necessary.

Clinical picture and diagnosis

Acute inflammation of the stomach leads to a slight increase in temperature (up to 0.5 degrees). Severe hyperthermia indicates a chronic infection. The dog's appetite gradually decreases until it completely refuses food. Signs of gastritis in dogs depend on the severity and form of the disease.

Dogs experience regurgitation during or immediately after feeding. In the chronic form, vomiting is usually observed after eating and drinking. Vomiting consists of food with a small admixture of mucus, blood, and bile.

Dog owners note the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the animal's mouth. Upon examination, a white coating is detected on the tongue. Palpation of the abdomen reveals a painful reaction, the abdominal wall is tense. During the examination, the dog shows severe anxiety, may whine and show aggression.

Defecation is usually frequent - a small amount of liquid feces is released. Constipation may occur, but in most cases they are replaced by diarrhea. The stool contains undigested food, blood and mucus. Only with chronic gastritis do dogs tend to constipate.

Gradually, the animals become exhausted, the coat loses its shine, becomes dull and disheveled. The chronic form is characterized by a decrease in skin turgor, the mucous membranes acquire a pale tint, and when the liver is involved in the pathological process, jaundice appears.

Results of the pathological autopsy:

diffuse swelling of the gastric mucosa;
pinpoint and spotty hemorrhages;
pronounced folding, zones of erosion and ulceration;
the mucous membrane may become covered with mucus and pus;
parietal glands are hypertrophied in the chronic form;
the liver is at the stage of fatty degeneration.

To make a diagnosis, additional instrumental and laboratory tests are required. Contrast radiography using barium salts can reveal thickening of the walls of the stomach and intestines, and unevenness of the mucous membrane. Less commonly, foreign bodies and fluid accumulation in the stomach are detected in dogs.

Gastroscopy reveals macroscopic changes in the gastric mucosa. The dog has ulceration of the surface and thinning of the mucous membrane. During gastroscopy, foreign bodies can be removed and a biopsy can be performed. A biopsy can establish lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in a dog.

Laboratory changes:

slight leukocytosis;
increased content of eosinophils in a specific form of gastritis;
decreased potassium levels in the blood;
hypoglycemia;
decrease in total protein concentration.

Feces should be examined for the presence of eggs and other forms of helminths. Changes in urine are usually not pronounced. As an additional study, ultrasound diagnostics are performed to determine changes in the wall of the stomach. Magnetic resonance imaging is performed less frequently.

Forecast

During the acute period of the disease, the animal requires careful monitoring to determine the causes and dynamics of the disease. This is monitored by periodic blood tests to determine the number of eosinophils.

To avoid the harmful effects of corticosteroids, the dose must be selected strictly individually. Patients with mild disease are observed after 2-5 weeks. after the start of treatment, then periodically until the end of hormone treatment. When prescribing azathioprine, a clinical blood test is performed 10-14 days after the start of treatment, which is then repeated a month later and then once every 2 months. If a food allergy is detected or suspected, you must strictly adhere to the recommended diet.

In most dogs with eosinophilic gastritis, a combination of diet and prednisone treatment results in long-term remissions. In cats, the disease is more severe and the prognosis is worse than in dogs. Cats require high doses of prednisolone and a long duration of treatment to achieve remission.

Treatment of gastritis in dogs

Only a doctor can prescribe treatment, since the form of the disease can be very different with high or low acidity.

In the acute form of gastritis, it is necessary to keep the animal on a starvation diet for at least a
day. In the acute form of gastritis, it is necessary to keep the animal on a starvation diet for at least a day.
Gastric lavage is also prescribed, but giving emetics is not recommended. Two days after the diet, the animal is given mucous decoctions with the addition of raw chicken eggs. Later, vegetable or oatmeal soup, grated carrots, and minced lean meat are fed in small portions and often.
When the body is dehydrated, saline is administered. intravenous solutions. Deep warm mucous enemas are performed.
If gastritis is caused by exposure to an infection or pathogenic microflora, the veterinarian will prescribe antibiotic treatment. For constipation, the dog is given a laxative.
In case of chronic gastritis, the animal is fed in small portions, but often. Al-Magel should be given before each feeding.
If a decrease in stomach acidity or its complete absence is diagnosed, then replacement therapy is carried out. A mixture is prepared for the dog from two parts of diluted hydrochloric acid and the same amount of pepsin, as well as water. It is prescribed three times a day, up to two tablespoons before meals [31].

Gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases of the digestive system in young animals, characterized by inflammation of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by indigestion, intoxication and dehydration.

Gastroenteritis is of primary and secondary origin; by the nature of inflammation - alterative (erosive-ulcerative, necrotic), exudative (serous, catarrhal, fibrinous, hemorrhagic and purulent) and less often productive; by localization - focal and diffuse; according to the course – acute and chronic. Exudative gastroenteritis is the most common.

Causes

In addition to one of the most important causative agents of gastritis, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the rest of the pathogenesis of the disease in dogs is diverse. Poor nutrition, of course, has an extremely detrimental effect on the state of the pet’s gastrointestinal tract, but there are several other important underlying causes that put the animal at risk of developing gastritis.

Infection with helminths through eaten grass, water from a puddle, toys unwashed after another dog or cat.
Side effects from a number of medications or intoxication as a result of an overdose.
Persistent allergy to certain food components.
Diseases of the endocrine system, due to which the pancreas is affected, causing the occurrence of gastritis. These are diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathologies, adrenal insufficiency.
Inflammation in the abdominal cavity.
Vitamin deficiency and iron deficiency.
Regular feeding of food that is too cold or too hot.
Transfer of inflammation to the stomach from the intestines, esophagus or liver.
Cheap and low-quality dry food or monotonous unbalanced food.
Poisoning from stale food.
Penetration of a foreign body into the stomach when eating garbage or playing too actively, when the dog swallows parts of toys, pieces of rubber and any dangerous sharp small objects.
Problems with teeth and inflammation in the oral cavity, as a result of which the dog swallows food in large pieces, unable to chew it.
Regular complementary feeding with dishes from the human table.

And in addition to all the reasons listed above, even severe stress suffered by an animal for one reason or another can provoke an acute form of gastritis. Especially if the dog experiences stressful situations repeatedly.

How to treat acute gastritis in a dog

Acute gastritis is treated primarily with symptomatic drug and dietary therapy. If the specialist does not find parasites or microbes in the animal’s tests against which drug treatment should be started, the dog is prescribed a special diet.

The first day the animal is kept on a starvation diet. After a day of hunger strike, the dog is given a specialized diet in small portions. Sometimes, if an animal becomes dehydrated due to profuse and frequent vomiting, the lack of water is replenished with intravenous injections, since the usual method of drinking fluid can cause repeated vomiting.

As a rule, after 2-3 days acute gastritis passes, and the animal can be transferred to a normal diet. However, experts recommend reconsidering the animal’s diet, especially if the cause of gastritis is precisely poor nutrition: change the food, see if the animal eats something besides its diet.

If gastritis is chronic, then the approach to treatment changes. The animal is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and a special diet. Instead of fasting, the dog is fed frequently and in small portions. With chronic gastritis, it is important to regularly show your dog to a veterinarian and get tested.

Since the etiology of chronic gastritis is difficult to establish, the dog is prescribed a number of general medications: for example, gels that protect the stomach walls from repeated inflammation, antihistamines that exclude allergies, and antibiotics. It is important not to self-medicate. Experts note that many forms of gastritis occur secretly and go away on their own within 2-3 days. But if you notice that something is wrong with your dog, take it to a specialist.

Acute gastritis can easily become chronic, and chronic gastritis most often turns into an ulcer if not treated correctly. In addition, there is a correlation between gastritis, ulcers and gastrointestinal cancer.

Treatment methods for gastritis

Therapeutic assistance begins with identifying the etiological factor and eliminating it. This is especially important in the chronic form caused by systemic or other pathology. Another important aspect of treatment is proper diet.

Primary care for a dog:

fasting diet for 1-2 days;
gastric lavage with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, saline solution or baking soda;
enema using the above drugs;
after cleaning, you can add decoctions of medicinal herbs and low-fat broth;
The dog is not limited to water.

It is necessary to determine the acidity of gastric contents. If secretory activity decreases, before feeding, dogs are given gastric juice (natural or artificial), pepsin, trypsin, Hilak-forte. The use of these drugs is carried out until the normal functioning of the digestive system is restored. If the acidity is increased (which is observed in most cases at an early stage of the disease), then the dog is given Carlsbad salt in the amount of 1-2 grams before feeding.

In the first 1-3 days after fasting, dogs are allowed to feed only mucous decoctions and liquid porridges made from oatmeal, rice, and flax. Porridges are cooked in water or in lean broth made from beef, fish or chicken. Gradually, boiled meat (preferably minced) and eggs are included in the diet.

Feeding sick dogs should be frequent, and serving sizes should not exceed 100-150 grams. Large feedings at one time lead to stomach overfilling, irritation of the walls and vomiting. When the symptoms of gastritis begin to fade, it is allowed to include fermented milk products in the diet. It is necessary to restore intestinal microflora. Dogs are given cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, and yogurt. A normal diet is prescribed for 14-21 days of therapy.

Enzymatic preparations to improve digestion:

abomin;
mezim;
pancreatin;
pepsin;
festal

Antibiotics are prescribed for inflammation of the stomach of bacterial etiology. Dogs are prescribed chloramphenicol, enroxil, enteroseptol, sulfadimezin. When Helicobacter bacteria are detected, a combination of amoxicillin and metronidazole or tetracycline and metronidazole is used.

If dogs vomit infrequently, water is given in small portions, which should calm this reflex. A therapeutic effect should be expected from the use of cerucal for severe vomiting. It is prescribed intramuscularly in a dose of 1-5 ml depending on the weight of the dog. Metoclopramide and chlorpromazine are also used.

If foreign bodies or stomach tumors are detected, surgical intervention is necessary.

Severe gastritis requires intensive care. Plasma substitutes and nutritional fluids are administered intravenously. It is important to restore normal fluid volume. To do this, dogs are injected with saline solution, Ringer's solution, 5% glucose, and hemodez. For hemorrhagic gastritis, calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are used.

For lymphoplasmacytic inflammation of the stomach, drugs are prescribed that suppress the body's immune response - azathioprine. The use of such drugs should be careful. Be sure to monitor the leukogram - there is a decrease in the number of white blood cells.

Gastric volvulus with gastritis in a dog

Stomach overflow, otherwise known as gastric dilatation, can quickly kill a dog without any apparent reason
Stomach overflow, otherwise known as gastric dilatation, can quickly kill a dog without any apparent reason. Large dogs with deep chests most often suffer from this. Typically, before becoming ill, these dogs eat a large meal, drink large amounts of water, and exercise vigorously for two to three hours after eating. Their stomach, filled with gas and/or fluids, may become twisted.

Signs of acute gastric dilatation include extreme restlessness, salivation, and unsuccessful attempts to vomit. The abdomen becomes very bloated. Depending on the duration of this condition, the dog may go into shock. To save the dog, immediate surgery is required to decompress the stomach and correct the volvulus by restoring the stomach to its original position.

The pathogenesis of gastric volvulus in carnivores consists of several stages that manifest their effects on different organs and organ systems of the dog. These stages can be roughly divided into:

primary filling of the stomach with gases due to the onset of fermentation processes and spasms of the pyloric and cardiac parts of the stomach (gastrectasia)
twisting of the stomach and spleen around the esophagus and gastrosplenic ligament (actually gastric volvulus);
hemodynamic disturbances in the aorta, hepatic portal vein and caudal vena cava, increased pressure in the abdominal and thoracic cavity;
disturbances of water and electrolyte metabolism, hypoxia, hypovolemia, increased toxicosis and death.

Reflux

A gastrointestinal pathology in which, along with enzymes and gastric juice, the contents of a dog’s stomach repeatedly enter the esophagus again is called acid reflux. Gastric juice in the esophagus constantly provokes irritation of its walls, narrowing of the esophagus and thinning to the point of necrosis.

How does it manifest?

Symptoms of acid reflux in a dog can be detected by frequent regurgitation after eating, foul odor from the mouth, whining during or after eating, minor vomiting, or coughing with a small amount of vomit.

An additional danger of this condition is the potential for food from the oral cavity to enter the lungs, which again returns from the esophagus and provokes vomiting.

What causes it?

The problem may be caused by obesity, taking a number of medications, hypercalcemia, gastric hypersecretion, diaphragmatic hernia, or a diet that is absolutely unsuitable for the dog.

Chronic gastritis in dogs

Chronic gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, characterized by sluggish pathological processes with periodic exacerbations. Clinically characterized by periodic vomiting, sometimes changeable appetite, and unpleasant odor from the animal’s mouth.

The disease can be complicated by erosions and ulcers, and then gastritis is called erosive or gastric ulcer. If previously old animals were susceptible to the disease, in recent years young dogs of many breeds, males (Lhasa Apso, miniature poodles, etc.) are increasingly affected.

Chronic irritation of the gastric mucosa leads to inflammation, which can spread to the submucosal layer. Long-term antigenic stimulation causes changes in immunity and allergization of the body and can be the cause of autoimmune chronic gastritis.

The development of chronic gastritis is predisposed by prolonged exposure to factors that cause acute gastritis. It can be provoked by intestinal helminths, medications (especially Rimadyl, which is often used unreasonably for a long time, glucocorticoids). A huge role in the occurrence of chronic gastritis is played by feeding animals with dry or wet commercial food, the artificial components of which have an irritating effect on the entire gastrointestinal tract and the gastric mucosa, in particular. Of great importance is the reduction in the resistance of the dog or cat’s body, as well as hereditary predisposition.

Diagnostics

Prolonged vomiting can lead to the development of gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis and aspiration pneumonia due to irritation by the acidic contents of the esophageal mucosa.
The diagnosis is made comprehensively based on history, clinical picture and laboratory data. Chronic gastritis is characterized by vomiting of undigested food, often colored with bile with lumps of blood or with altered blood in the form of “coffee grounds,” especially with increased stomach acidity. Vomiting may occur daily or periodically, usually after eating or drinking. Its frequency increases as the disease progresses.

Prolonged vomiting can lead to the development of gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis and aspiration pneumonia due to irritation of the esophageal mucosa by the acidic contents. For gastritis with low stomach acidity, diarrhea is more typical, since the protein components of the diet are not fully digested. Other signs of the disease may be loss of appetite, melena, and diarrhea. With gastritis with high acidity, constipation may occur due to spasm of the pylorus.

In turn, several forms of chronic gastritis should be distinguished - superficial, chronic gastritis with lymphocytic, plasmacytic inflammatory infiltration, zozinophilic gastritis, granulomatous gastritis, atrophic gastritis. A biopsy can most accurately make a diagnosis and exclude other pathologies.

Laboratory data

General blood and urine tests are usually normal, except in cases of systemic disease. With hemorrhagic gastritis, anemia can be detected.

In severe dehydration, signs of hemoconcentration are observed. Eosinophilia is observed with a specific lesion, hypoproteinemia - with an advanced disease with severe protein loss. A fecal flotation test can detect intestinal parasites. Plain radiography of the abdominal organs can detect radiopaque foreign bodies, dilatation of the stomach and the presence of fluid in it due to pyloric stenosis. An X-ray contrast study will help clarify the cause of delayed gastric emptying (stenosis and other malformations).

During gastroscopy, along with macroscopic characteristics (atrophic gastritis, thinning of the mucous membrane, from under which the vessels of the submucosal layer protrude), a biopsy can be performed. A biopsy must be performed even if the mucous membrane appears normal. If after the studies the diagnosis remains unclear, diagnostic laparotomy is indicated, especially if signs of damage to the submucosal and other layers of the gastric wall are detected.

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis in dogs

Marina Shamirovna Avanesova – veterinarian, surgeon, endoscopist, Department of Anatomy and Histology of Animals named after. Professor A.F. Klimova.

Currently, lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis occurs quite often. One of the most common signs of this pathology is chronic diarrhea, vomiting and resulting weight loss in dogs. Middle-aged and older animals are most often affected. Gender doesn't matter.

LPE is the most common form of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). In turn, IBD may have other forms of cellular infiltrates, such as eosinophilic gastroenteritis, granulomatous enteritis, and chronic histiocytic ulcerative colitis.

LPE is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory bowel disease characterized by diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells into the gastrointestinal mucosa, resulting in diffuse inflammatory reactions of the intestinal mucosa. An increased number of lymphocytes and plasma cells causes a reaction in the lymphoid tissue, which causes a disruption in the conductivity of the intestinal wall.

The etiology of the occurrence and pathogenesis of this disease remains completely unknown, but it is believed that there are several factors that cause damage to the intestinal mucosa: the reaction of the immune system, the abnormal immune response of the mucous membrane to various environmental antigens (bacterial, food) lead to allergic reactions, with in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and organs.

Prolonged exposure to an antigen causes prolonged inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which proteolytic and lysosomal enzymes are released, cytokines are produced, secondary immune complexes are activated, and a large number of oxygen radicals are formed. Delayed gastric emptying can also lead secondary to inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Genetic factors may also influence the development of LPE. Bassenji, Shar Pei, Wheaten Terrier, and German Shepherd have a hereditary predisposition to this disease. The most severe hereditary form of LPE has been described in the Basenji.

LPE most often affects the small intestine, but the large intestine may also be affected. In some cases of damage to the large intestine, bile acids may be to blame. Bile acid malabsorption plays a role in the diagnosis of LPE. Bile acid malabsorption is the inability of the intestine to completely absorb bile acids. Bile carries toxins and waste products out of the body and helps the body metabolize fats. Bile acids that reach the colon can lead to diarrhea.

In addition, diseases related to IBD pathologies can cause thromboembolic lesions, polyarthritis, kidney stones, dermatological diseases and immune-mediated anemia.

The differential diagnosis includes other causes of inflammatory bowel disease: infectious diseases, infiltrating inflammatory diseases (eg, eosinophilic, granulomatous enteritis), tumors (lymphoma, leiomyomas, leiomyosarcoma), as well as other diseases such as lymphangiectasia, gastrointestinal motility disorders and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Diagnosis of LPE : By hematologic examination, initial diagnostic findings may include neutrophilic leukocytosis with a left shift, microcytic anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, lymphopenia, hypocalcemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Bile acid values should be assessed to rule out possible hepatic causes of gastrointestinal disease.

Additional diagnostic tests that should be performed to rule out these diseases may include urinalysis to rule out a renal cause for protein loss, stool analysis (Giardia sp., Salmonella sp., Campylobacter sp., Clostridium sp.), folic acid testing, and cobalamin (bacterial overgrowth), TLI - test for trypsin-like immunoreactivity (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

Severe forms of IBD and LPE can lead to peritoneal effusions; their classification will require laparocentesis or laparoscopy to collect material for cytological examination, as well as x-rays and ultrasound diagnostics.

Endoscopic diagnosis plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Using endoscopy of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, it is possible to visualize the condition of the mucous membrane, villi of the duodenum (color, swelling, vascularization, lesions of the mucous membrane in the form of erosions or ulcers, straightening of folds, infiltrates, etc. (Fig. 1). For pathological changes, an increase in looseness and granularity of the mucous membrane is visualized (Fig. 2), a decrease in the vascularization of the submucosal layer, and in some cases the appearance of erosions.

Rice. 1 Damage to the duodenal mucosa in LPE

source

Prevention of gastritis in dogs

Prevention of gastritis in dogs involves regulating and normalizing nutrition. What to feed a dog with gastritis? Use food that is selected based on the dog's age, breed and lifestyle. Watch what you feed your dog, do not treat it from your table. Train your dog to pick up things on the street.

Visit a veterinarian regularly, get tested and undergo examinations. Particular attention should be paid to adult animals, as well as small breeds: according to researchers, they are more likely to develop chronic gastritis.

Sources:

https://www.eduherald.ru/ru/article/view?id=16653

https://www.zoovet.ru/stati/publikatsii-spetsialistov/veterinariya/gastrit_u_sobak_i_koshek/

https://www.royal-canin.ru/college-pro/breeders/gastrit-u-sobak/

https://gastritinform.ru/ingrus.net/gastrit.html

In pregnant women, lactating women and puppies

There are no global differences in the treatment of gastritis in puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs.

To treat a puppy, the same drugs are used as for adult animals in dosages corresponding to the dog’s weight. A starvation diet, which is often used in complex treatment, is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating bitches.

Drugs and dietary nutrition are selected in such a way as to eliminate as much as possible side effects and any negative effects on the fetus or newborn puppies. Antibiotics are prescribed with great caution or not at all, depending on the general condition of the dog.