Can dogs get stomach viruses
Intestinal Viral Infection (Rotavirus) in Dogs
Rotavirus Infections in Dogs
The double-stranded, wheel-shaped rotavirus causes inflammation of the intestines and in severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls. It is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset in dogs. And although it can be seen in dogs at any age, puppies are more prone to rotavirus infections, especially those less than 12 weeks old.
Cats are also susceptible to rotavirus infections. If you would like to learn more about how this disease affects cats, please visit this page in the PetMD health library.
Symptoms and Types
The primary symptom of a rotavirus infection is mild to moderate watery diarrhea. In severe cases, dogs may die from dehydration, extreme weight loss, and/or an unwillingness to eat. Dogs may also exhibit fatigue or lethargy.
Causes
The rotavirus is typically transmitted through contact with contaminated fecal matter. Dogs with underdeveloped or weak immune systems and those living in overly stressed environments are most at risk for the infection.
Diagnosis
In dogs, your doctor will likely try to rule out other conditions before diagnosing rotavirus. Some causes for inflammation of the intestine may include parvovirus (a rash disease), coronavirus (a virus affecting the intestines), astrovirus (causes diarrhea), herpesvirus, distemper virus, and canine reovirus (also called kennel cough).
Lab tests to detect the virus may include laboratory examination of tissue samples, or microscopic exploration of feces. One such test is ELISA (or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), a biochemical technique. Your veterinarian may also be able to identify the virus using a technique called virus isolation.
To formally diagnose rotavirus, a veterinarian will examine the intestinal villi (the small hairs lining the intestine) and other cells within the intestinal wall, using special instruments to detect the rotavirus and antibodies the virus may have produced.
Treatment
Once the rotavirus is formally diagnosed, your veterinarian will begin treatment to ensure a prompt recovery. Treatment involves symptomatic relief to relieve the dog's diarrhea and to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Your doctor will also advise temporary dietary restrictions to help alleviate some of your dog's intestinal discomfort.
Antibiotics are generally not prescribed because they are only useful for bacterial, not viral infections.
Living and Management
Because rotaviruses are zoonotic, it is important that pet owners keep infected dogs away from young children, infants in particular. When handling the fecal matter of an infected animal, it is especially important to use precautions, such as wearing latex gloves and disinfecting the animal's living area.
Humans living in developing countries are most at risk, often experiencing life-threatening diarrhea. Estimates suggest that in developing countries up to 500,000 children under age five die every year from rotavirus infections.
Prevention
The best protection for a puppy is to consume the milk of an immune bitch, as they produce antibodies that may protect against the rotavirus.
Gastroenteritis in Dogs
What Is Gastroenteritis in Dogs?
Gastroenteritis in dogs is defined as an inflammation of a dogs stomach (gastro-) and small intestine (-enteritis). In simple terms, gastroenteritis is an upset stomach. Pet parents might use the term dog stomach bug to describe this kind of illness, but the possible causes go beyond a viral infection.
If your dog has bloody diarrhea or vomit, go to the emergency vet immediately, as these are signs of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).
Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS) / Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)
Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, also known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), is a specific and critical form of enteritis. It is a medical emergency and one of the most serious causes of diarrhea in dogs.
AHDS can be fatalyour dog can become septic (caused by a dangerous infection in the bloodstream), lose too much protein, or experience complications.
Dogs affected with this disease have been shown to have inflammation of only the intestines, not the stomach. If you suspect your dog has AHDS, take them to the vet immediately.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Take your dog to the emergency vet if you see the signs of AHDS:
Sudden onset of bloody diarrhea with no known cause, such as a change in diet
Vomiting, with or without blood
Lethargy (moving slowly, sluggish)
Call your vet if your dog is showing any signs of gastroenteritis:
Sudden vomiting
Sudden diarrhea
Lethargy
Dogs suffering from gastroenteritis exhibit a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhea and may lose a large volume of body fluids and electrolytes. This can cause dehydration. Monitor your dogs hydration and activity level.
If your dog is dehydrated and/or lethargic, go to the emergency vet. This indicates a more serious situation that needs immediate treatment.
You can check for dehydration by gently lifting the skin on the back of your dogs neck. If it stays raised and doesnt go back to place quickly, your dog is probably dehydrated.Another tip to test your dog for dehydration: press on your dogs gums, which should turn from white back to pink within 2 seconds. If the pink takes any longer to come back, your dog is probably dehydrated.
Other signs of dehydration include:
Panting
Dry nose and eyes
Dry, pasty gums and thick saliva
Loss of appetite
Loss of skin elasticity (when you pull your dogs skin and it is slow to snap back)
Causes of Gastroenteritis and AHDS in Dogs
Gastroenteritis in dogs can be caused by many underlying issues. Your vet can run diagnostic tests to help you figure out why your dog is sick. Some possible causes include:
Dietary indiscretion (meaning your dog ate something they shouldnt, such as fatty food, food thats gone bad, or inedible objects)
Gastric ulcers
Toxins
Cancer
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Bacterial infection, such as clostridium, campylobacter, salmonella, or E. coli
Viral infection, such as parvovirus, coronavirus, or distemper
Parasites
Food allergies
The exact cause of AHDS remains unknown. Some vets theorize that the condition begins with a bacterial infection in the intestine caused by Clostridium perfringens type A.
This infection creates dangerous toxins that erode the protective lining of the intestine, allowing fluids and blood to leak out.
How Vets Diagnose Gastroenteritis in Dogs
This diagnosis is made when a dog has a sudden case of vomiting or diarrhea, has been sluggish and lethargic, and hasnt had an appetite. Describing your dogs symptoms can help your veterinarian make the diagnosis. Your vet will also check your dog for dehydration and signs of abdominal pain.
To rule out other possible causes of vomiting and diarrhea, such as parvovirus, parasites, a gastrointestinal obstruction, cancer, kidney disease, and other more serious conditions, your veterinarian may need a fecal analysis, bloodwork, X-ray, or ultrasound.
Diagnosis for AHDS in Dogs
Your vet will also consider AHDS as a possible cause if your dog has bloody, watery diarrhea; dehydration; and an elevated packed cell volume (the number of red blood cells currently circulating).
There is no specific test to diagnose AHDS in dogs. If no other cause is found for your dogs symptoms, a diagnosis of AHDS may be made as a "diagnosis of exclusion.
An Addisonian crisis, which is when a dog with Addisons disease has acute gastrointestinal symptoms that are often bloody, can look exactly like AHDS. This is fatal if untreated.
Since an Addisonian crisis and AHDS are both so serious, it is critical to take your dog to the vet immediately if they are dehydrated or have bloody diarrhea.
Treatment for Gastroenteritis in Dogs
The goal of treatment is to stop the vomiting/diarrhea and maintain hydration.
Depending on your dogs condition and the underlying cause, your veterinarian may administer anti-vomiting medication, antibiotics, and antacid medications specifically formulated for dogs.
If your dog is vomiting, the medications will be administered through injection. Your dog may also require hospitalization for IV (intravenous) fluids and electrolytes.
Treatment for AHDS in Dogs
AHDS is very serious and cannot be treated at home. If your dog has bloody diarrhea or vomit, go to the emergency vet immediately.
Dogs with AHDS are losing a life-threatening amount of fluid, protein, and electrolytes, and they must be hospitalized for aggressive IV therapy, electrolyte supplementation, and medication.
With AHDS, the survival rate is 9095% if appropriate, aggressive therapy is started quickly. Most dogs recover in two or three days.
Recovery and Management of Gastroenteritis in Dogs
After your dog comes home from the vet, you can continue care. If the vet finds that your dogs gastroenteritis is caused by something thats contagious, isolate your dog from your other pets. Do not allow your dog to eat or drink until there has been no vomiting for six to eight hours.
Then you may give your dog small amounts of clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Pedialyte, or other electrolyte solution) every two hours.
If your dog does not vomit the fluid after 12 hours, give frequent, small meals of boiled hamburger and rice or boiled chicken and rice, about cup or less per feeding. Your vet might also send you home with samples of a low-fat, easily digestible prescription diet such as these
Recovery From AHDS in Dogs
Part of your dogs recovery plan from AHDS should be a bland diet thats high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat. Your vet may offer you special canned food, or you can cook for your dog.
Cooked rice or pasta; potatoes with some cottage cheese; lean, boiled ground beef; or skinless chicken are good choices for a couple of weeks as your dog's gut heals and their appetite returns. Ask your veterinarian about options for cooking for your dog to ensure that you provide the right nutrients in the right amounts.
Gastroenteritis in Dogs FAQs
How can I treat my dogs gastroenteritis at home?
If your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you should always call your veterinarian. They can ask you specific questions to help assess how serious the situation is.
If your dog is lethargic or showing blood in their vomit or diarrhea, take them to the vet immediately. Dogs with AHDS need to be hospitalized for care and cannot be managed safely at home.
After a vet evaluates your dogs symptoms, they might determine that your dog can be safely managed at home, and they will give you a treatment plan for home care. This may include giving your dog small amounts of clear liquids (water, Gatorade, Pedialyte, or other electrolyte solution) every 2 hours, but only after vomiting has stopped for 6 to 8 hours.
If your dog does not vomit the fluid after 12 hours, give frequent, small meals of boiled hamburger and rice or boiled chicken and rice, about cup or less per feeding. Do not give your dog over-the-counter or prescription medication unless you speak to your veterinarian.
Can gastroenteritis kill dogs?
Yes. Gastroenteritis can often become acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) when left untreated. This is the most acute form of gastroenteritis in dogs and can lead to life-threatening dehydration if not treated quickly.
Is gastroenteritis contagious from dogs to humans?
Some of the causes of gastroenteritis are zoonotic, meaning they are contagious from dogs to humans. Bacterial infections like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria would fall into this category.
Some of the causes are specific to dogs and harmless to humans, such as canine parvovirus and distemper.
WRITTEN BY
Liz Bales, VMDVeterinarian
Dr. Liz Bales is a graduate of Middlebury College and The University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. She focuses on unique...
Norovirus Update Can the Virus be Passed from Dog to Human?
Norovirusthe word alone might be enough to make you a little nauseous. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noroviruses (there are many types) are the leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States. People can also become infected with norovirus through touching contaminated surfaces or by having contact with someone who is infected with norovirus. The CDC estimates that as few as 18 virus particles may be enough to cause illness in people, which explains why norovirus infections (often mistakenly called the stomach flu) tend to be highly contagious, rampaging their way through homes, schools, businesses, cruise ships, etc.
The symptoms of norovirus infection in people are downright nasty. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, and body aches are common and tend to last anywhere from one to three days. If youve lived with dogs for long enough, youve probably observed them having similar symptoms, perhaps even right before, during, or after youve been sick. Under these circumstances, its reasonable to wonder if dogs can get norovirus and, if so, whether the virus can be passed between people and dogs.
First, some clarification is needed. Dogs (and cats) appear to have several of their own species of norovirus that cause gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those described above. The question were asking here is whether or not viruses that weve assumed can only infect one species (or closely related species) can actually move between dogs, cats, people, etc. Why is this important? If it proves to be true, we would know that when dogs in a household become infected with norovirus, people could be at risk for infection, and vice versa.
A few scientific papers have recently been published that attempt to answer this question.
In 2012, a group of researchers in Helsinki, Finland looked at 92 stool samples from dogs living closely with people who had recently experienced symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. They screened those samples for several different types of human norovirus and found human norovirus in four faecal samples frompetdogs that had been in direct contact with symptomatic persons. All NoV [norovirus]-positive dogs lived in households with small children and two dogs showed mild symptoms.
The studys authors concluded that human noroviruses can survive in the canine gastrointestinal tract. Whether these viruses can replicate in dogs remains unresolved, but an association ofpetdogs playing a role intransmissionof NoVs that infect humans is obvious.
Another interesting paper appeared in 2015 and was titled Evidence for Human Norovirus Infection of Dogs in the United Kingdom. The research showed that human norovirus could indeed bind to canine gastrointestinal tissues and that 13% of the dogs in the study had antibodies against human norovirus in their bloodstream, an indication that they had been previously infected. Interestingly, the types of human noroviruses that the dogs had been infected with closely mirrored the types of noroviruses that had been circulating in people in their communities.
While the scientists did not find evidence that human norovirus could be transmitted through dog feces, this study does show that it is at least theoretically possible for dogs to act as a reservoir for human norovirus.
Since then, there have been no further reports of human norovirus infections in dogs (or cats), but this certainly is a topic that deserves more attention. And until we know for sure whether noroviruses have the ability to move between species, it only makes sense to practice meticulous hygiene if anyone in the family develops vomiting or diarrhea.
Learn more
CDC:Making a Norovirus Vaccine a Reality
Emory University:Norovirus stays infective for months in water
Resources
Pet dogs--a transmission route for human noroviruses? Summa M, von Bonsdorff CH, Maunula L. J Clin Virol. 2012 Mar;53(3):244-7.
Evidence for human norovirus infection of dogs in the United Kingdom. Caddy SL, de Rougemont A, Emmott E, El-Attar L, Mitchell JA, Hollinshead M, Belliot G, Brownlie J, Le Pendu J, Goodfellow I. J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Jun;53(6):1873-83.
