What are symptoms of colitis in dogs?
- Soft, runny feces or feces with bright flecks of blood.
- Pain while defecating.
- Irregular eating habits.
- Weight loss.
- Increased defecating or flatulence.
- Inflammation or pain in the lower regions.
How long do dogs with colitis live? Histiocytic colitis of Boxers carries a grave prognosis unless treatment is started early in the course of the disease. The immunoproliferative enteropathy of Basenjis also carries a poor prognosis; most dogs die within 2 years of diagnosis, although some have been reported to live as long as 5 years.
Can colitis in dogs heal itself? Acute colitis often clears up on its own within 24-48 hours. However, it does sometimes require veterinary assistance to fully resolve. Chronic colitis has many potential causes. Some can be treated, curing the colitis, but others can only be managed with medication or diet.
What to feed a dog that has colitis? Ideally, the protein digestibility should be ≥ 87%. It may be appropriate to provide a single source, novel protein (one to which the dog has not previously been exposed) like venison, kangaroo, alligator, or duck. It may be best to provide the protein in a form called hydrosylate.