Acute gastritis
Although in the cat the acute gastritis is certainly less frequent than the dog, this pathology exists and is often related toingestion of spoiled food, toxic substancesand, rather than the presence of hairballs difficult to eliminate.
In the course of acute gastritis, the mucous barrier that under normal conditions protects the gastric mucosa is missing, which can thus be attacked by gastric acids, bile or pancreatic enzymes.
Causes of acute gastritis
La acute gastritis It can be caused by several factors, including:
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Ingestion of small dead animals (small birds, small mammals, etc.), often difficult to digest or already decomposing.
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Ingestion of foreign bodies, such as aluminum foil used to store food, non-food items or hairballs.
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Toxic plants, for example the Christmas star.
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Poisonous substances, like car antifreeze.
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Food intolerance or adverse reactions to some ingredients in the diet.
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Gastrointestinal parasites, some of which can migrate through the gastric mucosa.
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Viral infections, such as parvovirus.
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Bacterial infections, including those supported by Helicobacter spp..
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The main symptom of acute gastritis in cats is definitely vomit, often accompanied by lack of appetite, excessive production of saliva with nausea and refusal of food.
Acute gastritis is diagnosed based on anamnestic history (the owner's account of the facts that led to the visiting animal), clinical examination and any response to the chosen therapy.
Treatment
If the gastritis is minor, substances with antiemetic and gastric mucosal protective properties can be administered. In some cases, fasting for 8-12 hours is recommended, although, in cases of hyperacidity, administration of small amounts of highly digestible food and limited amounts of water may be more appropriate. The chosen food is usually one that is beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract and therefore easily digestible, thus facilitating digestion, gastric emptying, and reducing the risk of recurrence.
If gastritis is reaction and the animal appears dehydrated and compromised, the therapy will be more complex and will also include supportive fluid therapy and any other symptomatic drugs.
However, treatment cannot be separated from identifying the cause that triggered the gastritis and removing it.
Chronic gastritis and its causes
La chronic gastritis It is a condition characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It can develop for various reasons, including:
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Failure to treat acute gastritis, for example when no changes are made to the diet or a possible foreign body responsible for the gastric irritation is not removed.
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Prolonged use of certain medications, especially corticosteroids or other drugs potentially irritating to the gastric mucosa.
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Unresolved allergic or parasitic conditions, which can maintain a chronic inflammatory state in the stomach.
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Other systemic pathologies which can have repercussions on the gastrointestinal system.
In cases of persistent chronic gastritis it may also be useful to evaluate the possible presence of Helicobacter spp. However, the pathogenic role of these bacteria in animals is still under study and their presence is not always directly related to symptoms.
During the diagnostic process it is also important exclude other diseases which can cause similar clinical signs, including:
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kidney failure
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hyperthyroidism
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inflammatory bowel diseases
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pancreatitis
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liver disease
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tumor pathologies.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptom par excellence, as in the case of acute gastritis, is vomiting, certainly associated with inappetence and nausea, hypersalivation, deterioration of the general conditions of the animal, poor quality and poorly groomed hair, lethargy, possible abdominal pain and dehydration.
The diagnosis is based on the medical history, as well as on specific tests such as abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, biopsy and other specific analyzes depending on the case and the diagnostic suspicion.
Treatment
Management of gastritis requires first identifying and removing the trigger as soon as possible. In general, treatment may include:
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Identifying and eliminating the cause responsible for gastritis.
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Targeted food management, especially in cases of food origin, which may include:
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specific gastrointestinal diets
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hypoallergenic diets
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home-made diets formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist, if necessary.
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Il symptomatic treatment may include:
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drugs or substances for reduce nausea and vomiting
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products that protect the gastric mucosa, temporarily restoring or replacing the function of gastric mucus
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therapies for reduce the inflammatory state
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substances useful for regulate gastrointestinal motility.
If the problem persists despite therapy, it is important to investigate further with further diagnostic tests to exclude other causes, including:
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tumor pathologies (e.g. lymphoma)
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other gastrointestinal or systemic diseases.
Dr. Paola Zintu - Veterinarian
UNION BIO advises:
Sedagastro cat It is a complementary feed in the form of a syrup, containing balanced and synergistic plant extracts, capable of providing relief to animals affected by gastric problems.
The formulation contains: the Mallow, known for the presence of mucilage useful to protect the gastric mucosa, theAltea, known for its emollient and anti-inflammatory action on the mucous membranes, theAloe, known both for its anti-inflammatory properties and for its valid antiviral and anti action Helicobacter spp..
The syrup can be administered to the animal with small quantities of food, always under the supervision of the trusted veterinarian.
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GASTRITIS IN DOGS AND CATS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES
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Photo of Milada Vigerova / Aizhan Okisheva / JackieLou DL da Pixabay
