Managing your pet's illness or injury requiring emergency pet care can be highly stressful. At Mission Veterinary Clinic in Granada Hills, CA, our team is here to help. Among the common conditions that might require a visit to the animal hospital is gastroenteritis. Here are some things you need to know.
What Is Gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis is a digestive condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It leads to diarrhea and vomiting in your pet and may need treatment from our pet clinic. Gastroenteritis frequently causes diarrhea, sometimes causes both diarrhea, vomiting, and rarely causes just vomiting. There are two kinds, acute and chronic. Acute gastroenteritis arrives suddenly and goes away quickly, often on its own. Chronic gastroenteritis is ongoing and doesn’t go away without veterinary care.
What Are The Symptoms of Gastroenteritis?
The most apparent signs of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea. Any changes in stools could be a sign of the condition. This change includes explosive, tarry, or watery stool. If your pet has more frequent stools than usual, or blood in their seat, these are also good indicators. Aside from vomit and diarrhea, your pet might also show other signs. They are likely to be lethargic or restless, unable to get comfortable. They’re also expected to have pain, so look for indications of this. While gastroenteritis isn’t always an emergency, it can become severe. This fact is why contacting your pet clinic for the first symptoms is so important.
What Causes Gastroenteritis?
Several things can cause gastroenteritis. Some are more serious than others. For instance, eating an allergen or foreign object can cause inflammation. If this is a single situation, it can pass quickly. Eating spoiled food can also cause this problem. Viruses are also a common cause of gastroenteritis, as are blockages. Certain conditions, like cancers, can also lead to gastroenteritis. Since there are so many possible reasons, emergency pet care is often essential.
Since there are so many causes for gastroenteritis, treatment varies widely. Our veterinarian will determine which direction you should go in. However, all cases must be treated with rest, extra electrolytes, and easily digested food. This method will help your pet recover more quickly.
Call Us Today!
The veterinarian at Mission Veterinary Clinic in Granada Hills, CA, can help with pet emergencies. These emergencies include any cases of gastroenteritis. However, if your pet needs an animal hospital's help, call us at (818) 363-8143.
