Digestive disorders - one of the most common reasons for consulting a vet

Christmas can be a dangerous time for dogs' digestion - with turkey, Christmas pudding and tons of sweets and presents around the house, it's easy to miss what your dog has craftily stolen. But it’s not just the festive season that can cause digestive upsets. If you suspect a digestive disorder or notice signs such as diarrhoea or vomiting, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

For every animal - cats, dogs and humans alike - digesting food and absorbing nutrients is vital to overall health and wellbeing. The term 'digestive disorder' refers to any condition that prevents digestion from happening properly, or which alters the rate at which food passes through the digestive tract.

Digestive disorders are one of the most frequent reasons for consulting a veterinary practice. The two main signs to look out for are vomiting or diarrhoea. Sickness and watery or bloody poop may be pretty obvious but more subtle stool changes can be a sign of issues too. Look out for poop that is softer than normal, has blood or mucus in it or poop that has gone a weird colour such as yellow or green.

However, there are also other less obvious signs, such as a weight loss, change of appetite, flatulence, stomach gurgling or sudden inactivity.

If you notice any such changes, you should visit your vet as soon as possible. If a digestive disorder is diagnosed, your vet will discuss the most likely cause with you. The most frequent causes are:

• An inflammation and irritation of the stomach (gastritis)
• An adverse reaction to a food, or simply eating something that has 'disagreed' with your dog
• Inflammation of the small intestine
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) which results in frequent diarrhoea, often accompanied by blood or mucus
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or the pancreas may not be producing enough digestive enzymes to process food properly

Your vet may recommend changing your pet's food or prescribe medication to help get them back to health more quickly. This is important as vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to fluid loss and dehydration as well as loss of vitamins and minerals. The gut wall will often be inflamed and it also needs the right nutrients to recover quickly.