- Common Disease Name:
- Gas
- Medical Term for Disease:
- Flatulence: Flatulence is the distension of the stomach or intestines with gas or air. Flatus is the intestinal gas expelled through the anus.
- Species Affected by Disease:
- Dogs
- Age Animal Usually Affected:
- Any
- Commonly Affected Breeds:
- Any
- Sex Usually Affected:
- None
- Disease Symptoms:
- Most dogs pass a small amount of gas on a regular basis. Increased frequency and, possibly, volume of flatulence becomes noticeable. Other signs signaling a problem with the digestive system can include vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss and evidence of abdominal discomfort (e.g., a hunched posture and sitting 'prayer position'- hind end in the air while resting on elbows).
- Method(s) of Diagnosis:
- Multiple fecal flotation and direct smear examinations to rule out small intestinal parasitism• Examination of feces for undigested fat or protein if poor digestion or absorption (malassimilation) is suspected• Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI) to rule out maldigestion caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
- Disease Causes:
- The production and accumulation of gas within the gastrointestinal tract is normal. However, in dogs with some gastrointestinal disorders the production of gas increases and the result is excessive flatulence. Nearly all gastrointestinal gas is derived from two sources: swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of ingested nutrients. Any condition that leads to increases in either of these can cause flatulence. The type of bacterial flora and by the composition and volume of the diet will affect gas production. Disease conditions of the small intestine that cause poor absorption of nutrients or poor digestion of food can also cause flatulence because these conditions will increase the amounts of carbohydrate available for fermentation. Increased Aerophagia or air swallowing is seen in dogs who are nervous or greedy eaters, especially if there is real, or perceived competition for food. • Diets that are high in soybeans, fiber (e.g., bran, lactose, and whole wheat products), and fat may cause excessive gas production. • Diets that are high in protein or fat or that are spoiled are especially likely to cause production of odoriferous intestinal gas. In lactose deficient dogs, diets containing milk products can cause excessive gas.
- Treatment:
- Treat any underlying gastrointestinal disease that may be causing or related to the flatulence. If diet is suspected, change the diet to one that is low in fiber and easily digested. This is often successful in reducing the frequency of the flatulence. Reduce aerophagia by discouraging greedy eating. Providing more frequent, smaller meals in a noncompetitive environment and avoiding situations that provoke nervousness. Vigorous exercise may also be helpful by encouraging normal colon emptying of gas and feces. These management practices usually work better than drugs. Simethicone is an antifoaming agent which helps prevent gas accumulation, but gas, but it does not reduce gas production. It can be used safely in dogs and cats (25-200 mg q6h-q8h). Its effectiveness as an antiflatulent in dogs is unknown. Antiflatulent enzyme supplements such as acipohilus may reduce the severity of gas by helping the digestion of poorly digestible fermentable nutrients.
- Prognosis:
- Depends on cause
- Complications:
- None
- Prevention:
- Feed quality dog food and avoiding human food. If the problem persists, a teaspoon of low-fat yogurt mixed into the dog food may provide some relief. Regular exercise and bowel movement may help to work out the gas. Also, getting your dog to slow down while he is eating can help him to swallow less air.
This can be accomplished by putting a softball in his dish that he has to work around to get to his food, or by feeding small amounts more frequently and feeding in a calm non-competitive environment. - Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
- Quality dog food low in fiber and easily digestible will often remedy the problem. Simethicone is an antifoaming agent helps prevent gas accumulation, but not reduce gas production, but it helps prevent gas accumulation. It can be used safely in dogs and cats (25-200 mg q6h-q8h). Its effectiveness as an antiflatulent in dogs is unknown.• Antiflatulent enzyme supplements such as acidophilus may reduce the severity of gas by improving digestion of poorly digestible fermentable nutrients.
- Helpful Products:
- Change the diet to one that is low in fiber and easily digested; toys to encourage exercise.
