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Acute gastritis in dogs
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Acute gastritis in dogs is a sudden irritation of the stomach lining.
The main symptom is severe and prolonged vomiting. Remember that prolonged vomiting can also be associated with life-threatening conditions such as intestinal obstruction and peritonitis. In all cases where the cause of persistent vomiting is unknown, it is necessary to seek professional advice.
Common stomach irritants include spoiled food, garbage, feces, grass, plastic packaging, hair, and bones. Certain medications (especially aspirin, almost all NSAIDs, cortisone, butazolidin, and some antibiotics) can also irritate the stomach lining. Poisoning with antifreeze, fertilizers, phytotoxins, and weed killers is common. If you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian.
A dog with acute gastritis will vomit almost immediately after eating. Later, the dog will appear lethargic and sit with its head hanging near its water bowl. The dog's body temperature will remain normal unless it has acute infectious enteritis, a condition that also causes diarrhea.
Treatment: Acute non-specific gastritis is a condition that usually resolves without treatment within 24-48 hours if the stomach is given rest and protected from excess acid.
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