If your pet is having diarrhea, your pet may have colitis. Symptoms can be acute (sudden onset) or it can be chronic (recurring or lasts several weeks or longer).
What is colitis?
Colitis is an irritation or inflammation of the colon (large intestines). When the large intestines become inflamed, your pet will have diarrhea or loose stool.
How will I know if my pet has colitis?
Your pet will have frequent loose or liquid stool. When the diarrhea becomes severe, your pet may even pass small amounts of blood at the end of the defecation. It is common to see slimy mucus coating on the stool. You may see your pet straining to defecate and only small amounts of stool may come out at a time. Because you see your pet straining, many pet parents think that their pet is constipated. They are frequently straining not because they are constipated, but because they have an urgency and feel that they have to defecate frequently.
What causes colitis?
There are many causes of colitis. Intestinal parasites such as Giardia, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Isospora are common cause of colitis. Infections such as Salmonella, E. coli and Clostridium can also cause diarrhea. Oftentimes, pets eat contaminated foods which causes abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Non-infectious causes from stressful events such as boarding, travel, fireworks and anxiety can cause colitis. Other causes are immune mediated, food allergies, exocrine pancreatic insufficiencies, and certain intestinal cancers. Any one of these can cause inflammation in the colon which reduces water absorption so diarrhea and mucus develops.
How is colitis diagnosed?
Colitis will be diagnosed by your veterinarian by your pet’s clinical signs, history, fecal test and rectal exam. In more severe cases, additional testing such as certain blood tests, abdominal ultrasound and colonoscopy may be recommended by your veterinarian for chronic non-resolving colitis symptoms.
What is the treatment for colitis?
The treatment will depend on the cause of the colitis symptoms. If your pet tests positive for intestinal parasites, anti-parasitic medication will be prescribed along with an anti-diarrheal medication and GI friendly diet. Depending on the diagnosis, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-microbial or anti-inflammatory medications and appropriate medication based on confirmed diagnosis.
What is the prognosis if my pet has colitis?
Most pets recover from colitis and prognosis is excellent. Simple supportive treatments usually help pets recover without any problems. If they have a more serious underlying cause of colitis, proper diagnosis and treatment can control the symptoms and the pets can live a happy and healthy life.
What can I do to help prevent colitis in my pets?
Regular veterinary checkups are an essential part of keeping your pets healthy. Semi-annual fecal tests are recommended to find parasites and treat them before it causes parasitic colitis. Monthly heartworm prevention is essential in preventing heartworm disease and also helps to prevent intestinal parasites.
Good quality diet help support digestive healthy and refrain from feeding human food. Your veterinarian can help you choose a healthy diet for your pet.
Watch your pets carefully so they don’t eat things that could upset their tummy. Your pets are very fast so they can eat things in a split second. Don’t leave food out on counters, keep trash cans securely closed, watch them on walks so they don’t eat rotten food that someone has left behind or dead animals (birds, lizards, bunnies etc.). Minimize stress for your pets by providing a calm environment and enrichment. At the first sign of loose stool or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. Don’t wait days until it gets worse. Early diagnosis and treatment will help ensure successful recovery. If your pet has diarrhea don’t wait. Waiting only makes it worse. Nip it in the bud while it is mild and easily treatable.
