ENTERITIS
General Information:
Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine.
There are many causes of enteritis, including microorganisms (bacteria,
viruses and fungi), foreign matter (bones, wood, plant material,
etc.), allergies, emotional disturbances, parasites, neurologic
problems of the bowel, and enzyme deficiencies. Determining the
cause of your pet's enteritis may require laboratory tests and
radiographs (x-rays).
Treatment Information:
A complete cure is the usual goal of treatment, but
some cases can only be controlled. Your doctor will advise you
if complete recovery is not expected.
- Diagnosis:
A proper diagnosis is the KEY to placing your pet on the correct treatment. A single test
may give a diagnosis, or it may require several tests to obtain the diagnosis. These tests include:
- Medication:
The goals of treatment are to relieve inflammation
and control vomiting and diarrhea. The dispensed medication should
be given as directed for the entire treatment period.
Typically used medications include:
- Diet:
In most cases, a bland diet helps enteritis. Common
dietary instructions include:
___ Feed the normal diet.
___ Feed Prescription Diet i/d.
___ Feed unsalted, boiled hamburger, mixed half-and-half
with cooked rice.
___ Feed unsalted, boiled chicken, mixed half-and-half
with cooked rice.
- Management:
Keep your pet in a clean, dry environment during
recovery. Walk your pet on a leash, and observe the bowel movements
until they return to normal. Do not feed any treats, spicy or
fatty foods, bones or table scraps during treatment.
We hope that you will find this information helpful in your quest
for better pet care. If you have any questions or comments, please call your
veterinarian's office, or feel free to
e-mail us.
David E. Hammett, DVM
and the Staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, PC
