My dog suddenly began vomiting three days ago. He vomited twice more that day and once the following day. His veterinarian examined him and said my dog had acute gastritis, probably from a new treat I started giving him the day before the vomiting started. The doctor said to watch the dog for any signs of further illness. What is acute gastritis?
An inflammatory condition of the stomach associated with many causes.
Acute gastritis is a disease process associated with injury and resulting inflammation of the cells that line the stomach. There are many potential causes of gastric injury. These include ingestion of poisons, foreign bodies, microbial toxins, aspirin and other drugs, and infectious organisms. Allergies to food and inappropriate dietary factors may also cause injury to the stomach and gastritis. Liver and kidney disease, environmental stress, blood poisoning and endocrine disorders can also produce acute gastritis. Mild cases produce transient, self-limiting signs, while acute gastritis secondary to severe underlying disease may be prolonged. Signs of acute gastritis may include loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and, most commonly, vomiting. Vomiting associated with acute gastritis usually subsides within one to two days if the underlying cause is resolved. In cases where there are no other signs than those of acute gastritis and where the cause is known and self-limiting (for example, a foreign object that has been vomited out of the system), treatment may be based on signs alone without further diagnostic inquiry. If signs of systemic disease are also present, appropriate studies are needed to diagnose the underlying cause. Bloodwork may or may not reveal abnormal values, depending on the underlying disorder. For example, the presence of severe, gastritis-inducing liver disease will cause abnormal liver enzyme levels, whereas food allergy may produce minor or no changes in bloodwork at all. Radiographs, or x-rays, and diagnostic ultrasound are helpful in discovering foreign bodies, but no other specific causes of acute gastritis are likely to be revealed by these imaging studies. Treatment of acute gastritis involves supportive care, including fluid support and special attention to diet during recovery. In a few cases anti-vomiting drugs, antacids, and acid blockers may be needed. Treatment of the underlying cause will also be undertaken.
