Colonitis in Dogs

By Amy Cocke

Instructions

What it is

Step 1:
Colonitis is inflammation of the dog's colon, and may be accompanied by ulcers in the colon wall. This is called ulcerative colonitis.

Causes

Step 1:
The inflammation in the colon may be a result of an inflammatory bowel disease or by whipworms. Some veterinarians believe stress may also be a cause.

Symptoms

Step 1:
If your dog has painful defecation, abnormal flatulence, bloody stool, mucus in his stool or chronic diarrhea, or is straining when he tries to defecate, he may have colonitis.

Diagnosis

Step 1:
Your veterinarian may have to give your dog a colonoscopy or take a colon biopsy in order to diagnose colonitis.

Treatment

Step 1:
After treating the cause of the inflammation, either the disease or the whipworm infestation, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or corticosteriods. Sometimes you may be asked to put your dog on a hypoallergenic diet.

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