Clinical

  • Catarrhal gastritis can be fatal since it makes the animal vomit and can produce rapid dehydration.
    • May die in day or two if vomiting is persistent and untreated.
  • Extracellular fluid (isontonic) is lost, and so blood very quickly becomes viscous.
    • Death may occur from hypovolaemic shock
      • Particularly in young animals (can be very quick).

Pathology

  • The mucosa appears swollen and hyperaemic, with thickened rugae.
    • Mild inflammation, hyperaemia, and oedema
    • Infiltration of inflammatory cells
    • No fibrin or haemorrhage.
  • The surface of the mucosa is covered by a white, sticky catarrhal exudate which lines the stomach.

Pathogenesis

  • There are numerous causes of catarrhal gastritis
    1. Ingestion of mild irritant
    2. Systemic bacterial diseases
    3. Infectious enteric diseases e.g.
      • Transmissible gastro enteritis (TGE)
      • E.coli
      • Salmonella etc.
  • Dogs are very prone catarrhal gastritis.
    • Anything that affects dogs tends to produce vomiting.
    • Dogs eat almost anything and this can make them vomit for a short time.