Canine Colitis Symptoms and Treatment

Canine colitis could be to blame if your dog is experiencing bloody or slimy stools. This is a problem of the lower intestine that causes digestive problems. Depending on the type of colitis, your veterinarian will prescribe diet changes along with specific canine medication to help clear it up. She may also check for parasites in your dog's stool, which would help determine the best medication to use. 

Symptoms of Note
Your dog's symptoms will be most visible through his behavior when he eliminates. Your dog may display sudden urgency and straining when going. The stool may appear normal at first, then loose, slimy and mucus-like. It may also have fresh blood on it. If your dog has symptoms like these suddenly, or over a period of a month or more, he should be checked by a veterinarian.

Sudden Acute Colitis
Stress is often a factor when colitis symptoms appear suddenly. Some things that can stress a dog include moving, boarding, storms or digging for snacks in the garbage. Changes in diet, such as too many treats or a new daily food, may also be the culprit. Canine colitis can also be brought on by a parasitic infection. Your vet will check for parasites in your dog's stool.

Be sure to tell your vet about any recent changes in the dog's diet or surroundings, as this can help to narrow the cause of stress-related colitis. In most cases, changes to diet and anti-parasite medication will be prescribed.

Episodic or Chronic Colitis
Symptoms that persist will require blood tests, pancreatic enzyme evaluation and a fecal test for bacteria that causes colitis. Your vet may also consider treating your dog for whipworms, which are hard to diagnose but can cause colitis symptoms. Symptoms that resist treatment may require further diagnosis via a colonoscopy and biopsy.

Drugs and Plans to Treat Canine Colitis  
These medications are typically used to treat canine colitis:

• Metronidazole, an anti-inflammatory which kills some parasites
• Sulfasalazine, an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory combination
• Prescription dog foods, which help remove disease-causing bacteria and promote the good bacteria that growin the intestinal tract and aid digestion
• Elimination diet, which narrows down potential causes. Your dog will be switched to a very simple food and treats will be eliminated until the source of any food allergies is found.
• Antibiotics and Prednisone, treatments given if the cause is Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Colstridium cause by stress