Symptoms of Canine Gastrointestinal Diseases

Canine gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis) can be caused by any number of contributing factors.  Gastritis can be the result of an allergic reaction, bacterial infection, cancer, kidney failure, lack of dietary discretion, or a viral infection.  Regardless of the cause, clinical warning signs of gastritis usually include inappetance, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and bouts of vomiting.  In cases of chronic gastrointestinal situations, the symptoms can subsequently lead to weight loss.

Loss of appetite can quickly lead to a weakened state.  Diarrhea or soft stool, sometimes with blood often accompanies vomiting.  An elevation in temperature can lead to listlessness.  Lethargy or a general lack of energy often develops when a dog is plagued with excessive vomiting and diarrhea. 

Prolonged vomiting is one of the first visible signs of gastritis.  After numerous bouts of vomiting, the vomitus will usually turn into yellow bile.  When the stomach lining becomes irritated, specks of blood may be seen in the vomit.