home Audience 3 Uremic gastritis in cats, treatment for chronic renal failure. Symptoms and treatment of gastritis in cats. What types of gastritis can an animal encounter?

Uremic gastritis in cats, treatment for chronic renal failure. Symptoms and treatment of gastritis in cats. What types of gastritis can an animal encounter?

Unfortunately, cats often suffer from various diseases of the stomach and intestines, which often reduces...

Gastrointestinal diseases in cats

Unfortunately, many pets experience gastrointestinal diseases throughout their lives.

Colitis

Colitis can be a real challenge for your pet.

Inflammatory processes in the large intestine are called colitis. In the thick section, water is absorbed and feces are formed. The inflammatory processes that occur there lead to impaired motor skills, resulting in a failure in the normal absorption of water and the formation of feces.

Causes

There is no single specific cause for this pathology. The following factors are believed to be associated with inflammation:

Diagnosis and symptoms

A cat colonoscopy will help make the correct diagnosis.

Making an accurate diagnosis depends, first of all, on the correct differentiation of other diseases.

Characteristic symptoms:

frequent bowel movements,

liquid feces,

in small portions.

Often present in feces mucus or blood , atypical color, with a pungent odor. False bowel movements occur. Severe abdominal pain is also possible.

Treatment

The course of treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian. Typically, the signs of pathology disappear within a week, with properly selected treatment.

Shown antibiotics – tylosin.
Veterinarians often prescribe Tylosin for colitis.

Recommended use antiprotozoal drugs – metronidazole, furazolidone.

For microflora preservation – probiotics: linex, bactisubtil, vetom, lactobifid, lactoferon.

Bloating and require the use of smecta.

When - corticosteroids in the form of prednisolone.

Chronic colitis treated with anti-inflammatory drugs - sulfazaline, azathioprine.
The anti-inflammatory drug Sulfasalazine also has an effective effect on colitis in cats.

Feline constipation

A cat’s inability to go to the toilet normally is a serious problem for both the cat and the owner.

Long-term systematic constipation leads to serious disorders in the body and are called obstipation. This phenomenon is difficult and long to treat. There are few reasons leading to this phenomenon.

Most often this indicates. Obstruction may be due to the anatomical characteristics of the animal or acquired through external influences, such as the ingress of hair or other foreign objects.

The main symptoms are difficulty in defecation , feces are hard and dry. , refuses food. In some cases, nausea, depression, vomiting, and pain in the abdominal area may occur.

If you have constipation, you need to give your cat as much water as possible.

Help with constipation involves making sure your cat drinks plenty of fluids and putting your cat on a diet containing fiber. It is possible to use mild laxatives in the form of herbal infusions. In advanced and severe cases, cleansing enemas or surgical assistance are indicated.

Coronavirus enteritis

The disease is contagious and infectious in nature, causing complications in the form of.

Coronavirus enteritis is very dangerous for cats and can be fatal!

Caused by inflammatory processes in the small intestine.

May leak asymptomatic – the cat is a carrier of the infection, infecting other animals.

In a mild form – a slight malaise with mild symptoms.

Severe form – the inflammatory process manifests itself not only in the thin section, but also affects most of the digestive system, accompanied by complications throughout the body.

In most cases it ends fatal. The causative factor is the Coronaviriadea virus. provokes a strain of this type of virus - FECV. The risk zone includes young individuals under two years of age and elderly representatives over twelve years of age.

Signs

A cat's refusal to eat should alert every owner.

Vivid symptoms of the disease are intestinal disorders: diarrhea, loss of appetite, and sometimes vomiting may be present.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment regimen for coronavirus enteritis.

They resort to maintenance therapy in the form of immunomodulators and temporary relief with antibiotic therapy. It is recommended to provide your pet with quality care and balanced feeding. In some cases, ascites fluid is removed, but there is a risk of the disease progressing to a dry stage.

Antibiotics can help with coronavirus enteritis, as well as caring for your pet.

Gastritis

Provoking factors

There are many reasons for the appearance of gastritis and they are all closely related to poor care and inattention to the pet. The appearance factors are as follows:

Each individual reason must be dealt with, otherwise it can lead to serious problems.

Symptoms

The nature of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease. There are two of them: chronic form and acute.

Chronic course characterized by decreased appetite, drowsiness, decreased cat activity, and aching abdominal pain. With this type of course, the symptoms last only a few days, then disappear.

Acute form manifests itself in sharp pain, stench from the oral cavity. A white coating is visible on the tongue, and the stomach is rumbling. Alternation and constipation are possible, with the remnants of undigested food coming out. Vomiting is present, often foamy, less often yellow. Emaciation, dull coat, pale or yellowish mucous membranes.

Treatment of acute form

The acute form is treated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and enveloping agents.

Severe course to relieve intoxication and replenish lost fluid. Antiemetics, antispasmodics and analgesics are prescribed. The use of sedatives is recommended. Along with this, a strict diet is indicated.

Gastritis in cats is a common disease. It is accompanied by painful sensations from which the animal suffers, refuses to eat and weakens. The disease does not go away on its own, so it is important to consult a doctor as early as possible, identify the cause and begin treating your pet.

Gastritis is a disease of the stomach in which inflammation of the mucous membrane occurs. The level of acidity in the gastric juice changes, and some digestive enzymes cease to be produced. Food is not digested partially or completely; it begins to rot, accompanied by the formation of toxins that poison the body. In some cases, the consequence of gastritis may be the formation of erosions or ulcers.

Causes of the disease

External factors leading to this disease include:

feeding food that is not suitable for cats. This is food from the table or ready-made store products (sausages, sausages, pates and canned food). It is wrong to think that food that can be eaten by humans is also suitable for cats. Salt, spices, spices, preservatives and dyes cause irritation of the mucous membrane. In addition, pets do not produce certain enzymes that could digest human food;
cold food from the refrigerator or very hot;
overfeeding or, conversely, underfeeding. After fasting, the cat pounces on food and swallows large pieces of food without chewing;
fatty or expired food, low-quality dry food, a sharp change in the type of food (from natural to ready-made and vice versa);
ingestion of a solid foreign body, hairballs, rubber from low-quality toys into the stomach;
helminth infection;
some medications in excess doses.

Other causes of gastritis in cats are diseases of the internal organs and disturbances in the functioning of the body. In this case, gastritis is considered a secondary or systemic disease. It appears in diseases of the liver, kidneys, urinary tract, cardiovascular system, allergic reactions, disruptions in the immune system, and stress.

Types of gastritis

Gastritis is divided into exogenous and endogenous:

exogenous occurs for external reasons, which are poor nutrition, food and chemical poisoning, and thermal factors. Most common;
endogenous gastritis is the consequence of diseases of internal organs and disorders in the immune system. Cats have uremic, eosinophilic and hypoxemic gastritis.

The cause of uremic gastritis is disease of the kidneys and genitourinary system. In this case, the kidneys cannot cope with removing protein breakdown products from the body; they accumulate in the blood and become toxic. Uremia occurs, in which the level of urea in the blood is exceeded. From the blood vessels through the walls of the stomach, it penetrates inside and negatively affects the mucous membrane, causing its inflammation and subsequent degeneration of the stomach walls.

With the eosinophilic form, eosinophils accumulate in the mucous membrane, releasing substances that destroy the walls of the stomach. It happens with allergic diseases, helminthic infestations and oncology.

Hypoxemic type is a consequence of diseases of the cardiovascular system and lack of oxygen in the blood and cells.

Form of the disease and symptoms

Gastritis in cats can be acute or chronic.

It is impossible not to notice the acute form of the disease. Occurs suddenly and is accompanied by:

regurgitation, vomiting with foam and bile;
diarrhea or constipation. With diarrhea, there may be undigested food in the stool; with constipation, the feces may be dark in color, which is possible due to bleeding in the stomach;
hard abdomen, abdominal pain upon palpation, to which the cat reacts sharply, struggling and meowing;
partial or complete refusal to eat;
temperature increase;
inactivity, lack of interest in games.

In the chronic form, the disease is sluggish, symptoms are mild, minor exacerbations alternate with remission.

In many cases, having noticed some signs at an early stage of the disease, the owner ignores them, considering it a mild ailment that will quickly pass. But the disease does not go away, it continues to develop, leading to eczema, ulcers, weakening of the body, and in some cases to cancer.

Symptoms of chronic gastritis:

During the period of exacerbation, signs of acute gastritis appear, but they can be isolated and quickly pass.

Diagnosis and treatment

Gastritis in a cat cannot be accurately determined by its symptoms; treatment is prescribed only after a complete examination. The signs of many gastrointestinal diseases are similar, so it is important to confirm gastritis, determine its type and causes. It is impossible to cure gastritis without curing the underlying disease or without eliminating the cause of its occurrence.

Diagnostics includes a number of examinations:

fluoroscopy;
gastroscopy;
probing;
in some cases - blood test, urine test, biopsy.

These examinations make it possible to determine the presence of foreign objects in the stomach, violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane, inflammatory processes, bleeding, swelling, and the acid composition of gastric juice. Only based on the results can drug treatment be prescribed for gastritis in a cat.

Medicines are prescribed by a doctor; self-medication is not allowed. The complex of drugs for the treatment of gastritis includes anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics and painkillers, antiemetics, anti-diarrhea drugs, to restore water-salt balance, and enzymes to restore gastric juice.

The main task of the cat owner is to give medications prescribed by the doctor and follow a strict diet when feeding the pet.

Diet food

You cannot feed the cat on the first day. This is not difficult to do, because her appetite is reduced at this time. In the future, the daily portion should be reduced by 1/3, and sometimes by half. Feed several times a day in very small portions. Food should be crushed and pureed.

On the first day of feeding, prepare liquid rice or oatmeal porridge. From the second or third day, lean minced chicken or beef is added to it. From the third day you can introduce low-fat cottage cheese and boiled carrots into your diet.

If the acidity of the gastric juice is high, you should add a little potato or carrot juice to your food. Cabbage or beet juice is added at low acidity.

It is important that your cat drinks plenty of water. The water must be filtered or boiled.

You can return to the usual portion only after the cat’s general condition and well-being improves.

Prevention of disease

Preventive measures include proper nutrition, feeding regimen and pet care:

food should be fresh, without salt and spices, at room temperature;
you need to feed regularly, 2-3 times a day, in small portions;
the transition from one type of food to another should be smooth;
ready-made food is only high-quality, premium, after treatment it is advisable to give special medicinal ones;
regularly carry out deworming and routine vaccination, even if the cat does not walk outside;
The pet's fur must be combed so that when licking, a minimum amount of it gets into the stomach. In order for a cat to cleanse its stomach of hair, sometimes it needs to be given some fresh grass, such as sprouted oats;
Do not self-medicate for any cat ailments.

Inflammatory stomach pathology is common in domestic cats. Experts believe that the main cause of the disease is a violation of the pet’s feeding.

Various types and forms of the disease make early diagnosis of the pathology difficult. In this regard, owners need to know the types of disease, early symptoms of gastritis, drug treatment methods and dietary rules. Knowledge of prevention methods will help you avoid serious illness in your pet.

Read in this article

Causes of gastritis in cats

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa in representatives of the cat family, according to veterinary experts, has the following causes:

The presence of smoked and sausage products, salty, spicy and pickled foods in the diet is the main cause of stomach inflammation. Salt, spices and garlic are especially harmful to animals.

Medications. Many medications have an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, causing damage and inflammation.
Allergic reactions. Substance products formed as a result of an allergy to a particular substance negatively affect digestive function, causing gastritis.

The multiplicity and variety of causes leading to the development of inflammation of the gastric mucosa in domestic cats is associated with the complex mechanism of digestion and its relationship with many other organs and systems.

Symptoms of gastritis

Clinical signs of the disease are directly dependent on the type and form of the disease suffered. If the owner is dealing with an acute form of gastritis, the symptoms will be as follows:

Complete refusal of food.
Depressed state, the animal practically does not move, lies down. Gait and movements are cautious due to pain.
Soreness and muscle tension in the abdominal area.

This condition in a sick cat is observed for 1 - 3 days, after which the clinical signs fade. The acute form can become chronic, the symptoms of which are not so pronounced
character, as in the acute phase of the disease:

Unpleasant putrid odor from the mouth.
Increased salivation.
Abnormal stool: diarrhea, constipation with admixtures of undigested food particles, often with mucus.
Vomiting, sometimes with foam, is yellowish in color. The gag reflex is most often observed immediately after eating. There may be mucus in the vomit.
Pain in the abdomen, rumbling. The abdominal muscles are tense.
Poor appetite.
Whitish coating on the tongue.
Dull, disheveled fur.
Loss of body weight.
Apathetic state. The animal is inactive, lying down more. A depressed state may occur.

Clinical signs such as persistent diarrhea and vomiting due to kidney disease may indicate the development of uremic gastritis in an animal.

What types of gastritis can an animal encounter?

In veterinary medicine, it is customary to distinguish the following types of gastritis in domestic cats.

Types of gastritis in cats	a brief description of
Uremic	This form of the disease occurs against the background of renal pathologies: urolithiasis, chronic renal failure, pyelonephritis, etc. The pathogenesis of the disease is due to the fact that when protein metabolism is disrupted, urea accumulates in the body. An increased level of urea in the blood leads to irritation of the gastric mucosa and the accumulation of a toxic product in the gastric juice. The mucous membrane of the organ becomes inflamed and swells.
Endogenous	This form of gastritis develops due to insufficient production of hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin, which accelerates the breakdown of food protein. Endogenous gastritis develops, as a rule, due to a lack of microelements, in particular iron deficiency.
Eosinophilic	If the cause of gastritis is an allergy or helminthic infestation, then the number of eosinophils increases in the blood and gastric mucosa of sick animals. These cells secrete a number of substances that lead to irritation of stomach tissue.
Hypoxemic	Inflammation of the stomach occurs due to insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues of the organ. This is observed in cardiovascular diseases and prolonged hypoxia.

As for the forms of the disease in domestic cats, veterinary specialists distinguish between acute and chronic gastritis.

Acute form. Pathology in this case develops rapidly. The animal's clinical signs are pronounced.
Chronic form. Develops as a result of prolonged exposure to an irritating factor on the mucous membrane of the organ. With this form of the disease, the symptoms are not pronounced. The attenuation of the disease in the acute phase leads to the development of the chronic stage of the disease.

According to the nature of the chemical composition of gastric juice, gastritis can be with high, low or normal acidity. This classification is important for prescribing effective treatment.

Diagnosis of stomach problems in cats

In the chronic form of gastritis, the walls of the stomach thicken, and the digestive glands that produce enzymes and hydrochloric acid atrophy. The walls of the organ may become thinner, and hemorrhages may develop. Gastritis can lead to a more serious disease - stomach ulcers. Undigested contents enter the intestines, where they cause fermentation processes and lead to intoxication of the body.

If you suspect the development of an inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa, the cat should be immediately shown to a veterinarian. To diagnose the disease the following is used:

taking anamnesis, especially regarding nutritional issues;
examination of the pet;
a number of studies: ultrasound examination of the digestive organs, blood, feces, urine tests.

A detailed picture of the development of the pathological process is provided by an endoscopic examination of the diseased organ and an x-ray with a contrast agent. In exceptional cases, a biopsy is indicated.

To clarify the concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, a laboratory analysis of the material taken during an endoscopic examination is carried out.

To see what endoscopy shows for gastritis in a cat, watch this video:

Treatment of gastritis in a cat

Due to the variety of forms and varieties of gastritis in domestic cats, self-medication of the disease is strictly prohibited. Only after carrying out diagnostic procedures and determining the acidity of gastric juice can a veterinarian prescribe medications and recommend a therapeutic diet.

Drug therapy

In the acute form of the disease, the pain syndrome is first relieved, for example, with baralgin, spazgan. Belladonna preparations have a good calming effect. The animal is prescribed a therapeutic 12-hour fasting diet.

To stop vomiting in a sick pet, antiemetics are used, for example, Metoclopramide, Anzemet, Zofran, Prochlorperazine, Atipamezole. The drugs act on the vomiting center, reducing the manifestations of gastritis, and alleviating the animal’s condition.

According to indications, the veterinarian may prescribe astringents: preparations of tannin, bismuth, oak bark, blueberries. For gastritis with high acidity, the cat is prescribed medications such as Omeprazole, Ranitidine. Envelops the irritated mucous membrane of the stomach Almagel, Phosphalugel, decoction of flax seeds.

If the acidity of the gastric contents is low, the sick pet is prescribed an artificial analogue. If, with gastritis, the animal experiences a deficiency of digestive enzymes, then in this case Pepsin, Trypsin, Pancreatin, Mezim-Forte are prescribed. Lactolisate has a good dietary effect for a course of 10 - 14 days.

If there are signs of dehydration, the sick pet is given a course of infusion therapy. Saline solution or Ringer's solution is used intravenously or subcutaneously.

It is also recommended to drink it with rehydron solution.

For bacterial etiology of gastritis, the animal is given antibacterial therapy. Drugs such as Ampicillin, Sinulox, Sulfadimethoxine, Biseptol, Kefzol, Cefamezin are used.

To increase the body's defenses, vitamin therapy is prescribed. Vitamins U, B6 and B12 are especially useful for patients with gastritis. Immunomodulators will help activate the body's immune system. The drugs not only improve protection against negative factors, but also promote the processes of regeneration of the damaged mucous membrane of the diseased organ.

Recovery Diet

Diet therapy for the chronic form of gastritis and after a starvation diet in the acute phase can reduce inflammation, normalize the animal’s digestive processes, and prevent exacerbation of the disease.

A sick animal should be fed in small portions, at least 5 times a day. Strict adherence to the diet is the key to a speedy recovery. In the first days of illness, mucous soups that envelop the stomach are prepared for the pet.

If the acidity is low, the diet of a sick pet may include meat soups, bean puree, cabbage and beet juice, and low-fat cottage cheese.

What to feed your pet and how to avoid the development of gastritis

The occurrence of gastritis is greatly influenced by the animal's diet. To prevent the disease, therapists recommend adhering to the following rules in feeding your pet:

Diet. The cat should be fed at certain times, avoiding overeating.
Food should be given fresh, at room temperature.
The basis of the diet should be lean varieties of beef, vegetables, and cereals.
When choosing industrial feeds, you should choose premium and super-premium mixtures.
Dishes for food and water must be clean.
It is strictly forbidden to feed your pet from the table. Canned food, soups, smoked, sweet, spicy foods should not be present in the cat's diet.

Gastritis in cats is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Our smaller brothers, like people, are susceptible to this disease. But, unlike us, cats cannot complain of stomach pain, so it is very important to recognize gastritis in a pet in the initial stages in order to prevent complications of the disease.

Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Most often, adult cats get sick, but due to improper feeding, the disease can also develop in kittens.

Causes of gastritis in cats

Acute gastritis in cats develops suddenly. Hot food such as porridge, fish or, on the contrary, too cold can cause harm to the delicate mucous membrane of the stomach. And if the cat also eats food that is too hot or cold very quickly, this only increases the traumatic effect on the stomach.

Negative factors that can provoke gastritis in a cat also include:

the presence of chronic liver diseases in the animal;
food from the human table that contains spices, garlic, onions and herbs is unacceptable for the cat’s body;
fatty, stale food;
overfeeding;
bacteria of the genus Helicobacter;
allergy;
accumulation of hairballs in the stomach;
taking certain medications.

Forms of gastritis in cats

Spicy gastritis, as I mentioned above, develops suddenly. The gastric mucosa becomes swollen and reddened. Increased secretion of mucus begins, which prevents food from interacting with gastric juice. As a result, it is not the breakdown of food that occurs, but its fermentation and rotting and, as a result, the formation of decomposition products and gases that poison the animal’s body.

At chronic With gastritis, constant specific changes occur in the cat’s body, namely: the formation of gastric juice is disrupted, either its insufficiency occurs or, on the contrary, hypersecretion; the walls of the mucous membrane are damaged, and the vessels in the stomach become fragile, which carries the risk of bleeding.

Uremic Gastritis in cats is a consequence of kidney disease. When the kidneys fail to cope with their work, the body itself begins to be poisoned by the products of protein metabolism. Urea accumulates in the gastric juice, which leads to uremic gastritis.

Eosinophilic Gastritis rarely develops in cats and is caused by allergies, the presence of artificial colors in food, medications, etc. With this type of gastritis, the stomach becomes inflamed due to the accumulation of eosinophils in the mucous membrane. Eosinophils are blood cells that sharply increase in the body during allergic conditions and helminthic infestations.

When a cat has gastritis, the acidity of the gastric juice may change; as a result, gastritis can be with high, low or normal acidity. This is a very important factor when prescribing treatment.

Symptoms of gastritis in cats

Signs of acute gastritis:

decreased or sudden lack of appetite;
nausea, ;
regurgitation of food;
in feces there are remains of undigested food;
loose stool or vice versa;
the animal has apathy, the cat lies a lot, refuses to play;
due to pain, the abdominal muscles are tense, and the cat does not allow itself to be picked up, much less touched;
mucous membranes become pale and acquire a yellowish tint;
a white coating forms on the tongue;
the coat is dull;
There is an unpleasant odor coming from the cat's mouth.

How does chronic gastritis manifest in cats?

The inflammatory process in chronic gastritis either resumes or subsides, and the symptoms are the same as in the acute form of gastritis. In the chronic course of the disease, the cat develops acute attacks of the disease, which last from several hours to a couple of days. After this, the cat’s condition returns to normal, but this does not at all indicate the animal’s recovery; it simply goes through the stage of exacerbation of chronic gastritis.

Diagnosis of gastritis in cats

Since gastritis can be a consequence of other diseases, the diagnosis must be thorough in order to find out the cause of the disease and prescribe adequate and effective treatment. This is especially true for cats that regularly suffer from gastrointestinal disorders.

To diagnose gastritis in cats use:

examination of the animal;
taking anamnesis;
Analysis of urine;
blood analysis;
Ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract;
determination of gastric juice acidity.

In severe cases of the disease, the following is used to diagnose gastritis:

X-ray with contrast agents;
endoscopic examination;
biopsy.

Treatment of gastritis in cats

Self-medication and the use of any medications without consulting a veterinarian are fraught with disastrous consequences for the health and life of the cat.

Acute gastritis caused by a single violation in the pet's diet is treated with a starvation diet lasting 24 hours or more on the recommendation of a doctor. Until the animal’s condition normalizes, it is advisable to give only boiled water as drinking water.

After following a starvation diet, the animal is given mucous decoctions of rice or flax seeds. It is forbidden to suddenly return to the cat’s usual diet - this must be done gradually and with caution.

If a cat is vomiting, then use antiemetic drugs:

Metoclopramide (0.2-0.4 mg per kilogram of animal weight subcutaneously or orally 3 times a day);
Zofran or Ondansetron (0.5 mg per 1 kg of animal weight 2 times a day intravenously or orally);
Anzemet or Dolasetron (given orally (by mouth) or intravenously at 0.5 mg per 1 kg of animal weight once a day);
No-shpu and Cerucal are used with caution; there are contraindications (subcutaneously at the rate of 0.1 ml per 1 kg of cat weight no more than 1-2 times a day).

For vomiting with increased acidity of gastric juice, the following is prescribed:

Famotidine (0.5-1 mg per 1 kg of animal weight subcutaneously, intravenously 1-2 times a day);
Ranitidine (tablets 3.5 mg per 1 kg of weight 2 times a day; solution administered intravenously 2.5 mg per 1 kg of weight 2 times a day);
Omeprazole (0.5 mg per 1 kg of weight no more than 1 time per day orally).

Also, in case of high acidity, enveloping drugs are used, such as Phosphalugel, Almagel.

If the acidity is low, the cat is given cabbage or beet juice.

To eliminate stomach upset, animals are given a decoction of oak bark or St. John's wort. For medicines, crushed activated carbon is given, Atoxil is mixed with boiled water.

If gastritis in cats is of a bacterial nature, it is possible to prescribe antibiotics, but their use is advisable only as prescribed by a doctor.

In case of particularly severe intoxication of the body, in case of dehydration - infusion therapy to flood the body and remove toxins.

An unbalanced diet or sudden changes in diet can cause digestive disorders in your pet. Such failures are fraught with the appearance of such an unpleasant pathology as gastritis. In cats, the symptoms and treatment of the disease are similar to those in humans, but there are a number of differences in the rules of treatment and preventive methods. Let's talk about them.

The term “gastritis” means acute inflammation in the mucous membrane and gastric walls. The pathology is characterized by disruptions in the motor-secretory activity of the organ.

All animals are susceptible to stomach diseases, regardless of age and breed characteristics. If not treated in a timely manner, the disease can develop into more serious disorders of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - oncology, erosive and ulcerative formations.

Mechanism of disease development

To find the correct approach to treating the disease, you need to understand the features of its development.

Causes of the disease

The appearance of pathology is facilitated by many factors, the first place among which is an unbalanced diet.

Table 1. Possible causes

Read more about cat deworming on our portal.

The multi-stage organization of the digestive process causes a variety of causes that contribute to the occurrence of inflammation.

Types of gastritis

The disease is systematized according to many signs. One of the main classifications is based on the nature of the inflammatory process. Based on the characteristics of the pathology, gastritis is divided into the following types:

Exudative. This type includes fibrinous, catarrhal, serous and purulent.
Alternative. This type includes erosive-ulcerative and necrotic.

In addition, diffuse gastritis is observed, and if one or several areas are damaged, focal gastritis is observed.

According to the nature of the secretion of gastric juice, they are distinguished:

hypoacid (with low acidity);
hyperacid (with increased);
normacid (indicators within normal limits).

The origin of the disease can be primary or secondary.

In addition to the listed classifications, there is a more detailed division into forms of gastritis.

Table 2. Forms of gastritis

View	Characteristic
Uremic	Characteristic for pets suffering from disruptions in kidney function. If the organ does not function properly, urea is not excreted from the body and accumulates in the stomach. The toxic product concentrates in the gastric juice, provokes swelling of the mucous membrane and the inflammatory process
Eosinophilic	Manifestations of allergies or the presence of helminths increase the content of eosinophils in the mucosa. Cells produce substances that cause disturbances in gastric tissue
Endogenous	Occurs as a result of insufficient production of pepsin, gastric juice and iron deficiency. The lack of these elements leads to the formation of inflammatory processes
Hypoxemic	Poor supply of gastric tissue with oxygen leads to inflammation of its walls. This type of disease occurs with prolonged hypoxia and pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

According to the degree of manifestation, the disease is divided into the following types:

Spicy. It is developing rapidly. The symptoms are clearly visible. Occurs after eating too hot or cold food and stale foods.
Chronic. Formed as a result of prolonged exposure to irritating factors on the mucous membrane. Symptoms are mild. The phases of the disease alternate, smoothly flowing from attenuation to exacerbation of inflammation.

In both acute and chronic types, both the gastric mucosa and the tissues attached to it undergo pathological changes. This is fraught with neuro-reflex disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of the disease

The variety of existing types and forms of pathology complicate its early diagnosis. Considering this fact, owners of furry pets should become familiar with both the symptoms that appear in the initial stages of the pathology and those characteristic of certain types of disease.

General signs:

Decreased appetite. The cat may completely ignore the food or experience discomfort after eating it.
Emotional decline. The animal loses interest in games and spends most of its time lying down.
Stool disorders. Undigested food remains are found in feces.
Nausea and vomiting. The structure of the vomit is foamy, interspersed with bile.
Mucous membranes of the oral cavity. The tongue becomes covered with a white coating. A repulsive odor appears from the mouth.
Peritoneum. The stomach gets hard. When palpated, painful sensations and rumbling occur.
Condition of the coat. The hair becomes dull. The animal looks unkempt.
Body mass. The pet quickly loses weight and looks lethargic.

The listed symptoms indicate the active development of gastritis. If you notice the first manifestations, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.

Table 3. Symptoms of gastritis in various forms of gastritis

Form	Symptoms
Acute	The animal stops eating food. The condition is depressed, the pet practically does not move. The abdominal muscles are tense. Pain syndrome forces the animal to be careful with every movement. This condition lasts from 1 to 3 days, and then declines. The acute variety can develop into chronic
Chronic	Nauseous odor from the mouth and profuse salivation. The cat suffers from constipation alternating with diarrhea. There are inclusions of mucus in the stool, and light yellow foam is observed in the vomit. The stomach often growls. The cat is in a lethargic mood and lies
Uremic	Regular vomiting and diarrhea in combination with kidney diseases indicate this type of inflammation. The pet loses its appetite, the smell of ammonia comes from the mouth, and the body temperature decreases

Video - Signs of gastritis in pets

Diagnosis of pathology

Digestive system disorders are not always a manifestation of gastritis. Diarrhea can be a consequence of food poisoning, for example. To make a correct diagnosis, the veterinarian does a series of examinations.

For diagnosis, the following activities will be required:

comprehensive inspection;
taking anamnesis;
examination of urine, blood and feces;
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
detection of gastric acidity.

If the pathology is in an advanced stage, endoscopy and tissue biopsy of the stomach walls are performed.

Treatment of pathology

Self-treatment without appropriate doctor's instructions can negatively affect your pet's health. Medicines used for humans are not always suitable for use in animals. Therefore, the use of any drugs is possible only as prescribed by a specialist.

Drug therapy

Since the pathology is characterized by discomfort in the abdominal area, actions should be focused on relieving the pain syndrome. In parallel with this, it is necessary to launch the mechanism for restoring the mucous membrane.

To eliminate pain, “Baralgin” and “Spazgan” are used. Belladonna-based products have a softening effect.
A decoction of flax seeds, Almagel and Phosphalugel protects the mucous membrane.
Vomiting is stopped with the help of Metoclopramide, Atipamezole, Anzemet, Prochlorperazine and Zofran.
Astringents are actively used. This function works well with products containing tannin, blueberries, bismuth and oak bark.
If the acidity is increased, Ranitidine and Omeprazole are prescribed; if the acidity is low, an artificial analogue is prescribed.
In case of insufficient production of digestive enzymes, Pepsin, Pancreatin and Trypsin are prescribed.
In case of dehydration, infusion therapy is carried out. For this purpose, Ringer's solution or saline is administered. Regidron is welcome.
If gastritis of bacterial origin has been diagnosed, antibacterial therapy is prescribed - Ampicillin, Cefamezin, Sinulox, Kefzol, Sulfadimethoxine and Biseptol.
To support the immune system, vitamin therapy is carried out, based on the consumption of vitamins B6 and B12.

To activate protective resources, immunomodulators are used. They increase resistance to negative effects and accelerate the restoration of damaged tissues.

Medical nutrition

To quickly cure the pathology, in addition to drug therapy, you should transfer your pet to a therapeutic diet.

Diet features:

Feeding regimen 5 times a day in small portions.
The diet is based on porridges and soups cooked in water.
Cottage cheese and yogurt are introduced into the diet gradually, monitoring the cat’s condition
It is advisable to feed boiled chicken and veal, cut into small pieces.
The amount of fish consumption is reduced.
If acidity is high, focus on rice and oatmeal porridge, potatoes and carrot juice.
For low acidity, meat soups, low-fat cottage cheese and beet juice are recommended.
The transition to industrial medicinal feed is encouraged.

If your pet's diet was based on ready-made food, preference should be given to the option developed for the treatment of eating disorders in animals.

Prohibited products:

Prevention of disease

Malfunctions of the digestive system in pets occur mainly due to the fault of the owners. An unbalanced diet and neglect of diet can contribute to the development of gastritis. To avoid the occurrence of pathology, you should follow a few simple rules:

Give food at room temperature, which does not contain hot spices and seasonings.
Carry out anthelmintic therapy at least once every 6 months.
When feeding industrial feeds, avoid economy-class products that are rich in additives and dyes.
To prevent hair from getting into the stomach cavity, you need to comb your pet several times a week. This is especially true for owners of long-haired breeds.
Household chemicals should be stored in places inaccessible to pets.

Since untimely treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is fraught with serious consequences, when the first symptoms are detected, you must immediately show the animal to a veterinarian