The Dog’s Digestive System
Disturbances of the stomach and intestines in dogs have a variety of causes, which include eating bad food and/or foreign objects, bacterial and viral infections, worms, and food allergies. Kidney, liver and pancreatic disease as well as diabetes are also common causes. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. If diagnosed and treated early, most cases respond well to diet changes and medication. Long-term cases require more time and patience. Make a habit out of feeding specific amounts of food at mealtimes and watch to see what your dog actually eats. A change in appetite and/or bowel consistency is often one of the earliest signs of a problem.
