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Acute inflammation of the stomach is not uncommon, especially that of the canine. The cause is usually the ingestion of substances such as:

Acute inflammation of the stomach is not uncommon, especially that of the canine. The cause is usually the ingestion of substances such as:

foreign objects, spoiled or contaminated food, toxic plants,chemicals and drugs (especially [[NSAIDs|non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]]).

foreign objects, spoiled or contaminated food, toxic plants ,chemicals and drugs (especially [[NSAIDs|non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]]).

Infectious, viral and bacterial causes are thought to exist in cats and dogs but have not been identified as of yet.

Infectious, viral and bacterial causes are thought to exist in cats and dogs but have not been identified as of yet.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

Clinical pathology such as haematology and biochemistry can be used to rule out conditions such as [[Uraemia|uraemia]],[[Diabetes Mellitus#Diabetic Ketoacidosis| diabetic ketoacidosis]], [[Hypoadrenocorticism - Addison's Disease|hypoadrenocorticism]], hepatic disease, hypercalcaemia and pancreatitis.

Clinical pathology such as haematology and biochemistry can be used to rule out conditions such as [[Uraemia|uraemia]],[[Diabetes Mellitus#Diabetic Ketoacidosis| diabetic ketoacidosis]], [[Hypoadrenocorticism - Addison's Disease|hypoadrenocorticism]], hepatic disease, hypercalcaemia and [[Pancreatitis - Dog and Cat|pancreatitis]].

===Radiography===

===Radiography===

Many different techniques of treating acute gastritis have been described in the literature. In general, therapy is designed to rest the stomach by witholding food and maintaining the animal's fluid , electrolyte and acid/base balance.

Many different techniques of treating acute gastritis have been described in the literature. In general, therapy is designed to rest the stomach by witholding food and maintaining the animal's fluid , electrolyte and acid/base balance.

*Witholding food and water for 24hours is usually sufficient to control vomiting.

Witholding food and water for 24hours is usually sufficient to control vomiting in combination with parenteral fluid therapy to avoid dehydration.

*Small amounts of a bland diet such as boiled chicken and potato can be offered once the animal has not vomited for at least 12 hours.

Small amounts of a bland diet such as boiled chicken and potato can be offered once the animal has not vomited for at least 12 hours.

*Gut protectants should be considered if the animal presents with haematemesis. Some examples include:

Gut protectants should be considered if the animal presents with haematemesis. Some examples of [[Gastroprotective Drugs|gastroprotective drugs]] include: Sucralfate which forms a protective barrier over the mucosal surface and also stimulates bicarbonate and mucus secretion and omeprazole which is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid secretion.

**Sucralfate - Forms a protective barrier over the mucosal surface and also stimulates bicarbonate and mucus secretion.

Anti-emetics should only be used when vomiting is debilitating and are resulting in pain and unsustainable fluid and electrolyte losses<ref>Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Thomas, D. (2005) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (1st Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.

**Omeprazole - A proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid secretion.

*Anti-emetics should only be used when vomiting is debilitating and are resulting in pain and unsustainable fluid and electrolyte losses<ref>Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Thomas, D. (2005) '''BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (1st Edition)''' ''BSAVA''</ref>.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==