Common gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can be triggered by various factors. Infections or taking certain medications often lead to gastritis, but stress or certain foods can also irritate the stomach lining. Gastritis can be both acute and chronic. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or sometimes diarrhea are common . However, loss of appetite or abdominal pain can also be the first signs of gastritis.
Snow gastritis is a special form of gastritis. It occurs mainly when dogs have eaten too much snow. There can be various reasons why the dog has eaten snow, such as boredom, playfulness or thirst.
On the one hand, the cold snow can irritate the stomach lining and on the other hand, due to contamination, the snow can contain certain harmful substances that can further harm the dog's stomach.
Symptoms of snow gastritis
The symptoms of snow gastritis are no different from those of normal gastritis. Snow gastritis can cause mild symptoms such as restlessness, smacking or loss of appetite. If the stomach lining is acutely irritated, the dog can suffer from severe vomiting and/or diarrhea . If your dog assumes a prayer position, this is a clear sign of pain. It is important to observe your dog closely and to see a vet immediately if symptoms are more severe.
In the case of mild snow gastritis, it is usually sufficient to adjust the feeding regime and initially only feed the dog light, easily digestible food. This includes cooked and lean chicken, porridge or fennel tea. Once the symptoms no longer occur, you can gradually return to the usual diet.
To prevent snow gastritis from occurring in the first place, pay attention to your dog's behavior in the snow and whether he devours the snow in large quantities.
Caution is particularly important with playful dogs, as they can swallow a lot of it while romping around in the snow. Some dogs tend to bite into the snow and inadvertently ingest it.
Snow gastritis can also be prevented by ensuring that your dog has sufficient access to fresh drinking water. Some dogs simply like to try the snow or use it as a source of drinking water.
