Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Infectious colitis in dogs and cats diagnosis and treatment
By Schmid, Sarah M·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2026·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Infectious Colitis in Dogs and Cats: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes.
Plain-English summary
A dog or cat with infectious colitis may experience large intestinal diarrhea, which can lead to more serious health issues if not treated. Common causes of this condition include various parasites and bacteria, and pets with weakened immune systems or certain environmental exposures are at higher risk. Treatment focuses on supportive care and addressing the underlying cause rather than just using antibiotics. The outcome depends on the specific infection and how severe it is, but with proper management, many pets can recover well.
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Abstract
Infectious colitis can cause large intestinal diarrhea and, in severe cases, systemic illness in dogs and cats. Causative agents include bacteria, protozoa, helminths, trematodes, fungi, oomycetes, and algae, with prevalence influenced by signalment, immune status, and environmental exposure. Parasites such as Trichuris vulpis and Tritrichomonas blagburni are common and should be routinely screened for. Management of bacterial colitis should prioritize supportive care and addressing underlying causes rather than routine antimicrobials. Disseminated fungal, oomycete, and algal infections often require prolonged, multiagent therapy. Escherichia coli-associated granulomatous colitis necessitates histopathologic diagnosis and susceptibility-guided antimicrobials. Prognosis varies with infectious agent and presence of dissemination.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41876338/