Digestive disorders are one of the most common reasons for consulting a vet
Christmas can be a dangerous time for dogs' digestion - with
turkey, Christmas pudding and tons of sweets and presents
around the house, it's easy to miss what your dog has just
slipped away with. If you suspect a digestive disorder or
notice signs such as diarrhoea or vomiting, take your dog to
the vet as soon as possible.
For every animal - cats, dogs and humans alike - digesting
food and absorbing nutrients is vital to overall health and
wellbeing. The term 'digestive disorder' refers to any
condition that prevents digestion from happening properly, or
which alters the rate at which food passes through the
digestive tract.
Digestive disorders are one of the most frequent reasons for
consulting a veterinary practice. The two main signs to look
out for are vomiting or diarrhoea. However, there are other
less obvious signs, such as a weight loss, change of appetite,
flatulence, stomach gurgling or sudden inactivity.
If you notice any such changes, you should visit your vet as
soon as possible. If a digestive disorder is diagnosed, your
vet will discuss the most likely cause with you. The most
frequent causes are:
• An inflammation and irritation of
the stomach (gastritis)
• Developing an adverse reaction to a
food, or simply eating something that has 'disagreed' with your
dog
• The small intestine may be inflamed
or have an excessive growth of bacteria (Small Intestine
Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO)
• Inflammation of the large intestine
(colitis) which results in frequent diarrhoea, often
accompanied by blood or mucus
• The pancreas may be inflamed
(pancreatitis) or it may not be producing enough digestive
enzymes to process food properly
As a result, your vet may recommend changing your pet's food
or prescribe medication to help get him back to health more
quickly. That's because vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to
fluid loss (dehydration) as well as loss of vitamins and
minerals. Also the gut wall will often be inflamed and need the
right nutrients to recover quickly.
Ask your vet about Hill's™ Prescription Diet™ Canine
i/d™ which is specifically formulated to help your
dog's guts heal and recover more efficiently. You
can see the difference in as little as three
days.*
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d is recommended by vets because
it:
• Is deliciously appealing to help
get your dog eating again
• Has a gentle, non-irritant texture
to help the gut recover
• Is highly digestible with a
moderate fat content to help the absorption of vital
nutrients
• Contains the correct levels of
vital minerals to replace those lost through vomiting and
diarrhoea
• Features our Superior Antioxidant
Formula to support a healthy immune system
• Is suitable for short term recovery
as well as long-term feeding
• Is ideal for puppies as well as
adult dogs
• Is available in wet and dry
formulas
Once the underlying cause of the digestive disorder has been
diagnosed, your vet may then recommend switching to feeding
other foods in the Hill's range. However, only feed the food
recommended by your vet - do not be tempted to 'home-cook' food
or mix it with another brand. You can also ask your vet for
advice on feeding several small meals a day, and always provide
plenty of clean, fresh water.
By following the recommendation of your vet, you can help
your dog quickly get back on his paws. However, if the signs do
not get better (or if they improve and then come back) you
should always contact your vet.
* A Multi-centre Feeding Study of the Influence of Dietary
Intervention in Dogs with Gastrointestinal Disorders. Hill's
Pet Nutrition, Inc. Pet Nutrition Centre, 2003.