Hello Friends,
We all know it’s no fun to be sick, but for dogs who can’t communicate their feelings or their needs, it can be even harder. Gastroenteritis, literally the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is an illness that affects both dogs and humans, and can be caused by numerous factors. In dogs, it presents with episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, especially involving yellow foam and yellow bile, and abdominal pain. This means that your dog may have reduced appetite, gag or dry heave after drinking, and resist being picked up or handled in ways that involve their stomach being touched. If your dog is exhibiting symptoms like these, it is wise to talk to your veterinarian immediately.
In addition, they should be kept home from daycare until your vet says otherwise: while Gastroenteritis is not, itself, communicable, the cause of the problem (which can range from simple things like new foods to bacteria, viruses, and parasites) may be contagious, and so they should refrain from dog-dog interaction until the cause can be discovered.
While the causes of Gastroenteritis can vary, the bottom line is that your dog is going to be uncomfortable and sad, and the best medicine for that (besides whatever your vet prescribes) is the patience and love from his or her wonderful family!
To read more about Gastroenteritis, please see here: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gastroenteritis-in-dogs
Wags,
Kevin A.