You might have experienced the unpleasant experience of waking up in the middle of the night and realizing your pooch has had an accident. You can smell the diarrhea, and you know your buddy is in distress.
What causes that kind of diarrhea in dogs? There might be a lot of underlying causes, such as parasites, infectious diseases, and the like. Sometimes, there is no identifiable cause. Your veterinarian might just tell you it’s colitis, but what is colitis?
What Is Colitis?
Colitis simply means the inflammation of the colon. The colon is part of the large intestine. Numerous factors can cause it to become inflamed.
There are several bacterial causes of colitis, but parasites are one possibility, as are allergies, fungal organisms, and even immune system issues.
Whatever the cause, the inflammation of the colon results in the excessive secretion of mucus that impairs the absorption of electrolytes, sodium, and water. This, in turn, stimulates strong muscular contractions, which cause an urge to defecate and abdominal pain — that means diarrhea.
It is important to note that colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, and that is not the same thing as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), since the two require very different treatment plans.
What are the symptoms of colitis in dogs?
Colitis in dogs affects the large intestine and causes digestive signs that are more specific than a typical bout of diarrhea. While common diarrhea involves large volumes of loose stool a few times a day, colitis is marked by frequent, urgent bathroom trips with little diarrhea produced and visible irritation of the colon.
Key symptoms of colitis in dogs may include:
- An urgent need to poop, often with little warning, even if only a small amount comes out
- Frequent trips outside with smaller-than-normal stools rather than large volumes of diarrhea
- Loose or watery stools (diarrhea) that may contain mucus or fresh red blood
- Straining to poop. Colitis dog poop may be accompanied by signs of pain.
- Occasional vomiting or reduced appetite, especially if symptoms persist
Colitis symptoms may come and go, but they often worsen over time if the underlying cause of colitis isn’t addressed. If your dog has ongoing diarrhea, mucus-y diarrhea, blood or mucus in the stool, appears uncomfortable when pooping, or isn’t improving within a day or two, it’s important to see a veterinarian. A proper diagnosis from a vet is essential to ensure your dog receives the right treatment and medications.
Types of Colitis and common causes
There are two general types of colitis: chronic colitis and acute colitis.
Acute colitis
With acute colitis, neutrophil, a type of white blood cell, infiltrates the mucosal lining of the large intestine.
Common causes
- Sudden diet changes
- Eating foods that are hard to digest or spoiled food
- Exposure to infected or sick dogs
- Stress (also known as stress colitis)
Chronic colitis
With chronic colitis, the mucosal layer is infiltrated by different types of cells, known as plasma cells and lymphocytes. Experts define chronic colitis as an inflammation of the colon that is present for at least two weeks.
Common causes
- Internal parasites
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Food hypersensitivity
- Cancer, or primary inflammatory bowel disease
Subtypes
Experts have further classified the forms of colitis in dogs, based on the type of cell that infiltrates the lining of the large intestine, as follows:
- lymphocytic-plasmacytic (most common) — usually causes chronic colitis
- eosinophilic — could be the result of food allergies
- neutrophilic — more common with bacterial infections
- granulomatous — the least common form
How Is Colitis Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will do a thorough history and physical examination to diagnose your dog’s colitis. This includes a rectal examination, where they might find certain things that can mimic the signs of chronic colitis, like polyps or malignant tumors.
The vet will also evaluate your dog’s feces, so bring a stool sample with you. They’ll do a fecal smear to look for parasites like Giardia. They will probably also do a culture to check for bacterial infections, radiographs (X-rays), and blood work to look for evidence of infectious disease. Vets want to try and exclude inflammation that is secondary to another cause, like parasites, foreign material, or fungal disease, which would indicate a different treatment regimen.
How Can Colitis in Dogs Be Treated?
Treatment for colitis in dogs isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right approach depends on the underlying causes of colitis, symptom severity, and whether it is acute colitis or chronic colitis. Because colitis can be triggered by infections, parasites, food sensitivities, or inflammatory conditions, treatment should always be guided by a veterinarian after proper evaluation.
Veterinary Care
If colitis in dogs is caused by parasites, bacteria, or other infections, seeing a veterinarian is essential. This may include stool tests, dewormers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, or other therapies aimed at resolving the underlying cause and calming inflammation in the colon.
Bland diets
For acute colitis flare-ups, veterinarians may recommend a colon-friendly short-term bland diet or a limited-ingredient diet to give the digestive system a break. In dogs with suspected food sensitivities, diets featuring novel or hydrolyzed proteins may help reduce inflammation by minimizing immune reactions to food. When dogs have a food allergy, it is often the protein that causes the reaction. Your vet may recommend changing your dog’s diet to one with a protein source to which he has never previously been exposed.
Dietary Fiber or Hydrolyzed
In addition to a bland diet, another ingredient to include in your dog’s routine is fiber. Dietary fiber absorbs water and increases fecal bulk. It’s important to note that adding fiber alone doesn’t usually solve the problem entirely. When done in combination with a novel protein diet under the guidance of a veterinarian, however, the problem can effectively be managed.
If those options do not resolve the problem, you can try a hydrolyzed diet. Hydrolyzed dog food, which usually requires a prescription from a veterinarian, is made by breaking down the proteins into small pieces through a water-based process. This makes the proteins ‘invisible’ to your dog’s immune system.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Another option is to feed a low-residue diet that contains fructooligosaccharides (FOSs). FOSs are used as prebiotics for probiotics. They are a soluble fiber that the beneficial bacteria in the gut feed on, and they also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause colitis.
In ongoing cases of colitis in dogs, probiotics and prescription gastrointestinal diets may support long-term gut health. Probiotics and prescription diets should be used under veterinary guidance to ensure they’re appropriate for your dog’s condition.
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FAQ
While most cases of chronic colitis cannot be cured, they can be managed, often with dietary changes alone. Other types of colitis also respond well to the appropriate dietary and medical treatment options.
Eosinophilic colitis — the kind often associated with food allergies — responds well to diet changes and other therapies that include immunosuppressive agents. Granulomatous colitis, which is associated with an invasive E. coli (Escherichia coli) infection, is also known as histiocytic ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. Granulomatous or histiocytic colitis in Boxers, unfortunately, has a grave prognosis. If treatment starts early, it can have a better prognosis. Notably, a new treatment regimen that includes enrofloxacin yields a much better prognosis for Boxers.
It depends on the type of colitis your dog has. Acute colitis may last a few days to a week, while chronic colitis may last weeks, months, or as episodes.
For stress colitis in dogs, feed a bland, easily digestible diet with healthy fiber. Always consult your veterinarian for prescription GI diets or specific supplements and medications.
JustFoodForDogs treats may be a good option due to their human-grade ingredients, high digestibility, and specific formulas like Probiotic Chews or Pumpkin Treats, featuring whole foods, prebiotics, and probiotics to balance gut flora and support sensitive stomachs.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.
Sources
“Colitis in Small Animals – Digestive System.” n.d. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-small-animals/colitis-in-small-animals#Treatment-and-Control_v3266338.
Rodney S. Bagley, D. V. M. 2007. “World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2007.” VIN.com, August. https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=3860811&pid=11242.
Lilliehöök, Inger, and Harold Tvedten. 2003. “Investigation of Hypereosinophilia and Potential Treatments.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 33 (6): 1359–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0195-5616(03)00097-4.
Bastan, Idil, Aaron K. Rendahl, Davis Seelig, Michael J. Day, Edward J. Hall, Savita P. Rao, Robert J. Washabau, and P. Sriramarao. 2018. “Assessment of Eosinophils in Gastrointestinal Inflammatory Disease of Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 32 (6): 1911–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15310.
Rodney S. Bagley, D. V. M. 2007. “World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2007.” VIN.com, August. https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=3860811&pid=11242.
Wilson, I. Dodd. 1990. “Hematemesis, Melena, and Hematochezia.” Edited by H. Kenneth Walker, W. Dallas Hall, and J. Willis Hurst. PubMed. Boston: Butterworths. 1990. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK411/#:~:text=Definition.
