Bacterial gastroenteritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the stomach and small intestines. Many different types of bacteria can cause this illness, but most often, it’s caused by either Campylobacter or Salmonella. It can also be caused by viruses or parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, or Toxoplasma gondii.
The two main signs of bacterial gastroenteritis are diarrhea and vomiting. Other symptoms include fever, dehydration, lack of appetite, and lethargy. If your dog has these symptoms, you should take him to your vet immediately, as he could become seriously ill if not treated quickly enough. If you’re wondering how to help your dog with this condition at home before seeing the vet, there are some things you can do.
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Give Antibiotics Like Amoxicillin
If your vet recommends antibiotics, you can safely give Amoxicillin to your dog. It’s the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for dogs and humans, so it’s an excellent place to start if you’re unsure what medications will work best for your pet.
Amoxicillin is safe for dogs, but you must follow the directions on the package carefully so as not to overdose or underdose your dog. If you have any questions about how many amoxicillin capsules should be given to your dog at one time or another, talk with an expert who can help guide you in their treatment plan.
Clean Your Environment
As a dog owner, you can protect your furry friend by taking some steps. Clean your environment. According to research by Nigerian vets, a one-year retrospective health record review of 3882 dogs from 10 animal hospitals in Nigeria indicated gastroenteritis in 41.2% of the ill dogs and 23.7% of the entire study population. In each case where it was reported, bacterial enteritis was assumed to be secondary to environmental contamination with Salmonella or Campylobacter jejuni or other zoonotic organisms.
Therefore, clean all surfaces your dog comes into contact with, including floors and carpets. Wash their bedding daily until symptoms cease. If possible, wash their toys, crates, and any other objects they frequently use, such as blankets or pillows, primarily if another pet has used them.
If you have hardwood floors that could harbor harmful bacteria between cleanings or if your dog spends most of his time indoors on carpeting instead of concrete flooring, which is not recommended due to its coldness, consider purchasing an area rug. You can place food bowls under them while you’re away during travel so they don’t sit directly on contaminated surfaces all day. Also, consider lowering his food bowl when he eats at home, so droplets aren’t splattered across high-traffic areas.
Keep Him Hydrated
To keep your dog hydrated, you should ensure he consumes lots of water. A dry food diet which may be as little as 5%-10% water can lead to noticeable thirst in your dog. If you have time, try giving him chicken broth or Pedialyte to help replenish electrolytes (salts and minerals). You could also opt for ice cubes made from frozen chicken broth or Pedialyte.
If your dog is vomiting, try giving him small amounts of water at a time instead of one large bowlful all at once. This helps minimize the risk of making him feel worse by filling his stomach with too much fluid too fast and causing more vomiting or diarrhea. If your dog has been vomiting for more than 24 hours or if he seems dehydrated, lethargic, or depressed, you should take him to see a veterinarian.
Provide Adequate Nutrition
According to the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles, canned pet food has 75% water content, whereas dry pet food contains 10 to 12 percent moisture. In addition, there is a difference in the protein source between these two types of food. Canned foods are generally made with more byproducts than dry foods, so they may be less digestible for your dog. This can make them more susceptible to bacterial gastroenteritis because they can’t absorb nutrients properly through their digestive system.
While it’s not like you should never feed your dog canned food again, if your dog has experienced bacterial gastroenteritis once or twice before, then it might be best if you stick with providing them a bland diet based on high-quality kibble until their symptoms go away completely and then slowly reintroduce other types of treats back into their diet again.
Dogs can also experience bacterial gastroenteritis from eating raw meat. It is possible that your dog could come across some raw chicken or beef while on a walk and eat it without you noticing. This can be especially dangerous if they have been exposed to fecal matter because they might already have E Coli in their system.
Keep Your Dog Warm
As with any illness, the main thing you want to do is keep your dog warm. A heating pad or hot water bottle can be used for this purpose. Be careful not to burn your pet. If no heating pad is available, a towel soaked in hot water can also be placed on top of the bedding where your dog sleeps.
Keeping them warm helps because it makes their body work harder at regulating its temperature than if they were cold. This extra effort helps eliminate any bacteria that may still be present in their digestive tract after vomiting and diarrhea have subsided. It will also help prevent them from chilling when they’re better.
If your dog is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, it’s essential to get them to a vet as soon as possible. If left untreated, this condition can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be fatal. Dehydration of more than 15% leads to death in dogs.
Final Thoughts
If your dog has bacterial gastroenteritis, it can be scary, but there are ways to help. The most important thing is to make sure he gets plenty of fluids and rest. While some vets recommend special diets or medications for dogs with this condition, it’s best not to try those treatments without first consulting your vet. If your dog hasn’t improved after a week, you should talk with them immediately.
