The Gurgles Of Indigestion – Diagnosis, Symptoms, Management & Homeopathic Treatment Of Indigestion In Pets.

“And again, my pet isn’t eating anything.”

“Well, my pet is eating but not much.”

“Just that my pet doesn’t feel good sometimes and is not eating properly,”

Do you have the same doubts in your mind? Is your pet fussy at times? Does your pet feel anorectic and decides to go on a hunger strike? What is wrong with my pet?

It gets difficult as it is painful for you-the, the owners, to see your pets in distress or discomfort. Well, in that case, your pet might have simple Indigestion, which could also be due to something as minor as acidity to something as major as a Liver Malfunctioning. Yes, Indigestion in the pet is a really rather common malfunctioning disorder of the Gastrointestinal tract, and with apt diagnosis and management, your pet gets back on track! In this blog, let’s unravel the causes of Indigestion, symptoms, signs that your pet might show, and more FAQs and doubts. Let’s dive in!

Tanvi Shendye, Final Year Student, Bombay Veterinary College

WHAT IS INDIGESTION?

Indigestion is also called ‘dyspepsia’ or upset stomach, and Indigestion literally means “digestion malfunctioning”. It is a general term used for upper abdominal discomfort and disorder. Indigestion is not really a disease but rather some series of symptoms that your pet experiences. Indigestion is often a sign of some underlying problem.

💡 It’s important to note that Indigestion or upper abdominal discomfort can be due to the stomach primarily or the Liver as anatomically Liver organ is also located in the upper abdominal region.

WHAT CAUSES INDIGESTION?

Indigestion primarily occurs due to the following:

Stomach malfunctioning or disease
Liver diseases
Concurrent infections which may cause Indigestion
Use of medicines that causes dyspepsia

Let’s check these conditions out one by one.

STOMACH MALFUNCTIONING OR DISEASE.

Due to ongoing disease of the stomach or due to simple malfunctioning of the stomach, abdominal discomfort and Indigestion occurs.

Eating the wrong type of food. Does your pet give you a “puppy eye look” and demand hot spicy masala human food?Eating human food is not good for the tender stomach of our dogs and cats. As they have different systems and so, the functioning of the stomach differs significantly. Human spicy food items are not good for pets as they may cause acidity or Indigestion. Hence it’s essential that the food that you offer to your pets is good for them, healthy, and definitely not loaded with spices and sauces.
Eating food too quickly.
If your pet has a habit of gulping food quickly, and eating quickly, it’s likely that your pet might get Indigestion. As food doesn’t get churned efficiently in the mouth, it may cause further problems with digestion. And thus, discomfort and distress occur.
Gastric Acid Build-up and Reflux
Gastric Acid is responsible for the digestion of food that enters the stomach. This acid helps to digest the morsels of food that are chewed by the teeth. Sometimes, this acid is produced in excessive quantity causing distress to the stomach. As we know, anything in excess is poisonous (not good) to the body. Thus, an excessive amount of gastric acid can cause problems such as erosion of the gastric wall, or if the sphincter of the stomach is loose, it may lead to gastric reflux causing the acid to enter the esophagus leading to Esophagitis and Esophageal ulcers.
Gastritis
Gastritis means Gastric inflammation or infection of the stomach. Gastritis can occur due to a variety of reasons, the primary causes being – bacterial infections, viral infections (such as parvovirus in puppies), eating hot food, or eating food that is not good or healthy for pets—eating spicy food by puppies, etc. Also, it’s important to note that gastritis occurs concurrently with Enteritis (inflammation of intestines), and thus, this condition is commonly referred to as – ‘Gastroenteritis. Thus, this condition too causes pain, discomfort, and Indigestion as the natural good gut bacteria are destroyed, and the intestines/stomach is damaged by pathogenic (disease-causing) bad bacteria.
Over Eating
If your pet is eating too much than required, it will lead to Indigestion. The body has certain limits and capacities till which it can function optimally. Excessive feeding or overeating will definitely lead to Indigestion and stomach upset.

LIVER DISEASES

The Liver secretes bile which is important for the digestion process.

Digestion is a complex process and needs all accessory organs to function optimally for the best results and proper digestion. If one organ is affected, the entire system gets affected. Thus, If the Liver is affected due to some disease-causing pathogens or is having functional problems, it will lead to hampering of the entire digestion process leading to discomfort, pain in the abdomen, and Indigestion.

CONCURRENT INFECTIONS

Infection of the esophagus, intestines, pancreas, or Liver will hamper the digestion process. Thus it’s important to rule them out while assessing Indigestion symptoms.

Also, anxiety stress may cause Indigestion as the sudden change in environment or food may lead to stress-causing Indigestion and mental shock, causing further problems.

USES OF MEDICINES THAT CAUSES DYSPEPSIA

Although not so common, certain Medicines such as prednisolone may cause increased chances of acidity or gastric reflux.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INDIGESTION TO WATCH OUT FOR?

Burping or gurgling noise from the stomach.

It’s medically termed borborygmi. You may notice and hear some sounds coming from the stomach, which commonly are termed gurgles or bubble-forming sounds. It is evident of Indigestion.

Vomiting (yellow acid-like) with froth

Sometimes if you notice vomiting (without food), which is generally clear yellow straw-colored, it may be due to acidity along with white froth (like mucus)

Bad breath

Due to Indigestion, acidity, and vomiting, bad breath ensues.

Anorexia and Loss of appetite

Due to Infection or Indigestion as such, your pet may feel anorectic and would be rather dull ignoring the food.

You can read further about anorexia in pets in our previous blog.

Weight loss

If Indigestion episodes are recurring, the body won’t get proper nutrition or efficient nutrition leading to weakness and Loss of weight

Pain (whining or howling)

Indigestion is painful at times, and partly due to pain, your pet won’t eat normally, and it’s an extremely distressing situation for them.

Inactivity and lethargy.

Your pet may show signs of being dull overall. Isolating itself, sitting lying down, and sleeping all day may be a few signs you may observe in case of Indigestion.

In severe cases and concurrent infections, fever, diarrhea, etc., may also be observed.
Bloating

Bloating refers to excessive gas built up inside the stomach. It may be due to acidity as well as eating food rather quickly. You may notice a bulge in the stomach area as the gas builds up.

Eating leaves or grass.

It’s a natural remedy that your dog already knows! By default, dogs eat leaves such as Tulsi or grass when they have an upset stomach. It’s a natural instinct and thus, hints towards Indigestion!!

HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND MANAGE THIS CONDITION?

Indigestion is rather a common condition affecting pets. However, it is essential to know what is causing this. Getting right at the root cause and treating the root cause will lead to better results and efficient recovery.

Your Vet may suggest a routine blood checkup to rule out other Infections.
Sometimes the diseases occurring concurrently may mask certain conditions. To learn the cause of Indigestion effectively, it’s essential to know whether there are other Infections causing Indigestion or if it’s simply due to acidity. A complete blood count test (CBC) along with LFT (Liver Function Test) is important to rule out liver disorders or parasitic infections, etc.
USG
Ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose tumors, excessive growth of stomach walls, sloughing of walls (due to excessive gastric acid), ulcers in the stomach or esophageal region, etc.
History
Based on the history of signs and symptoms that your pet may be showing, a good diagnosis can be made. Diagnosis is based partly on history as well! Hence it’s essential that you give the proper and complete history of the signs that your pet exhibits.

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT :

Based on the apt diagnosis, proper and best Treatment and management can be done.

Management protocol involves –

Human food with spices is strictly forbidden. Your pets should not be allowed to eat food that is spicy with sauces etc.
Regulate food intake- Giving food at properly spaced times is a good management practice. Adult dogs should be fed twice to thrice a day, while puppies should be fed depending on their age (in months). Also, it’s important to feed your pets a limited quantity as required by their body (based on growth needs) do not feed excessively or more frequently.
Allopathic Treatment involves antacids (anti-acidity drugs), pro-kinetics (to prevent gastric acid reflux and to strengthen the gastric sphincter), and antibiotics to cover pathogenic bacteria along with saline to cover up fluid loss and dehydration.

Homeopathic Solution For Dogs and Cats

LIVOMATE DROPS for pets are the best remedy for LIVER problems where symptoms like indigestion, vomiting, eating of inanimate objects, stomachache, etc. LIVOMATE DROPS is the best Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine for dogs and cats. In cases of uneasiness during nightstand approaching a veterinarian is difficult.

Dermisule homeopathic remedy for skin infection in dogs and cats

DERMISULE For All Kinds of Skin Issues in Pets:

DERMISULE for pets is the best remedy for dogs suffering from different skin conditions like eczema, allergies, rashes, lesions with hair loss, redness, dry, scaly, pus, or bloody discharge. Specific or general lesions or spots as in Mange disease can also be improved.

Me & My SKIN & COAT Pet Supplement for skin infection in pets

ME and MY SKIN AND COAT Homeopathic Supplement

Me & My SKIN & COAT Pet Supplement is a peerless medicine for our pet’s skin and coat. It helps reattain natural skin and coat after injuries, chaps, cracks, scaly eruptions, or any acute skin lesion in pets. It is highly recommended to treat hair fall for any reason.

Me & My IMMUNITY Pet Supplement for boosting immunity

ME and MY IMMUNITY Homeopathic Supplement

Me & My IMMUNITY Pet Supplement is a unique formula of valuable supplements for Dogs & Cats which help in maintaining and raising the IMMUNITY of your lovable pets. It is made for weak and old pets as it improves immunity, helps better utilization of food, and allay minor ailments or complaints of non-specific nature. It also gives strength to the body’s mechanism for fighting against germs of all kinds.

GOHEAL SPRAY FOR Injury, FMD, and Burns

GOHEAL SPRAY is the best Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine for external use only to treat animal wounds caused due to any injury, FMD, burns, etc. It can also be used for mouth ulcers and cuts or burns on sensitive parts of the body. GOHEAL SPRAY works very fast to stop bleeding and start healing immediately

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1 thought on “The Gurgles Of Indigestion – Diagnosis, Symptoms, Management & Homeopathic Treatment Of Indigestion In Pets.”

Diagnosis, Symptoms & Homeopathic Treatment Of Indigestion In Pets – Goelvet Pharma Official
June 16, 2022

[…] Indigestion is also known as dyspepsia or an upset stomach, and the word itself means “digestion malfunctioning.” It’s a catch-all word for upper abdominal pain and disease. Indigestion is a set of symptoms that your pet may suffer rather than a sickness. Indigestion is frequently a symptom of a deeper issue. how do you treat indigestion in dogs […]

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