Votre chien mange-t-il de la terre, des cailloux ou quelque chose qu'il n'est pas censé manger ? Peut-être aiment-ils se livrer aux ordures, à l'herbe ou même au caca ? Lorsqu'il s'agit de manger, nos compagnons canins peuvent avoir des habitudes quelque peu étranges, voire dégoûtantes et engloutiront volontiers des aliments qui semblent immangeables. Si votre chien en fait partie, il pourrait avoir une maladie appelée pica.
Mais qu'est-ce que le trouble pica exactement ? Devriez-vous vous inquiéter si votre chien a du pica et existe-t-il des moyens de l'empêcher de manger des choses qu'il ne devrait pas ?
Lisez la suite pour en savoir plus sur le pica chez les chiens, y compris les causes, les symptômes, les options de traitement, etc.
Table des matières
- Qu'est-ce que le pica chez les chiens ?
- Qu'est-ce qui cause le pica chez les chiens ?
- Symptômes du pica chez le chien
- Diagnostiquer le pica chez le chien
- Traitement du pica chez le chien
- Coût du traitement du pica
- Prévenir le pica chez les chiens
- Principaux plats à emporter
Conseil de pro : Vous ne pouvez jamais éliminer le risque d'ingestion de corps étrangers, mais en souscrivant une assurance pour animaux de compagnie avant qu'un problème ne survienne, vous pouvez vous protéger et protéger votre chien si l'inimaginable devait se produire.
Qu'est-ce que le pica chez le chien ?
Le pica est un trouble de l'alimentation caractérisé par l'envie de manger des objets qui ne sont pas de la nourriture. Certains chiots peuvent ne manger qu'un seul type d'objet, tandis que d'autres mangent une variété d'objets différents, comme de la terre, des cailloux, des livres, des balles, des lingettes humides, etc. En général, les chiens atteints de pica ont tendance à privilégier les articles qui portent l'odeur de leur propriétaire, comme les sous-vêtements, les chaussettes, les serviettes et les collants.
Le pica peut être dangereux pour la santé de votre chien car les objets qu'il avale peuvent être toxiques ou se loger dans sa gorge et son tractus intestinal.
Le pica est différent de la coprophagie ou de l'ingestion de matières fécales. Cette habitude est plus courante chez les chiennes allaitantes qui ont tendance à manger les excréments de leurs chiots, mais se répercute souvent sur les chiens adultes et est particulièrement difficile à briser.
Certaines races de chiens sont plus sujettes au pica , comme les Labrador Retrievers. Le trouble est également plus fréquent chez les chiennes .
Qu'est-ce qui cause le pica chez les chiens ?
La cause du trouble pica peut être soit physiologique (en raison d'une condition médicale sous-jacente) ou psychologique (purement comportemental).
Les conditions médicales les plus courantes qui déclenchent le pica chez les chiens incluent :
- Maladies endocriniennes (telles que le diabète et les maladies thyroïdiennes)
- Déséquilibres nutritionnels
- Infections parasitaires (telles que les ténias et les ankylostomes)
- Maladies de maldigestion et de malabsorption
Pica can also be a result of anemia, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, stomach tumors, neurological issues, and teething (in puppies). In some cases, pica can be a side effect of medications, such as anti-seizure drugs and steroids.
Behavioral pica, also called stress eating, is most often caused by boredom, anxiety (especially separation anxiety), and stress. Other common reasons include depression, lack of physical or mental stimulation, and attention-seeking.
Pica symptoms in dogs
The classic sign of pica in dogs is eating non-food objects. However, there’s a number of secondary symptoms that may be caused by the disorder, which can vary depending on the item consumed.
Ingestion of a foreign object can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) irritation with symptoms such as:
- Diarrhée
- Vomissements
- Chronic bad breath
- Léthargie
- Manque d'appétit
More serious health complications include a blockage of the intestines and internal ulcerations , which symtpoms can include:
- Intractable vomiting
- Straining or inability to defecate
- Dark or tarry stools
- Excessive drooling
- Douleurs abdominales
- Burping
If the object is blocking the respiratory tract, your pet might cough or sneeze frequently. In severe cases, pica can result in infection — especially if the ingested items are dirty or contaminated (such as feces) — or poisoning if they were to consume something toxic.
Diagnosing pica disorder in dogs
In general, pica is diagnosed through the behavior itself. Although it may be easy to confirm that your dog has pica, determining the disorder's underlying cause is more challenging.
To figure out if the condition is caused by a medical issue, your veterinarian may need to perform bloodwork, urinalysis, and test samples of your dog’s stool in order to check for liver disease, and the presence of parasites. These tests will also help rule out diseases like anemia, diabetes, and thyroid problems.
Depending on the symptoms your pet displays, more specific bloodwork might be required to test nutrient absorption in the digestive tract. This typically involves checking cobalamin and folate levels and doing a TLI test to check for pancreatic function. Your vet might also perform X-rays to check for a GI obstruction.
Pica in dogs treatment
The treatment for dog pica will mainly depend on what’s causing the condition.
If it’s being caused by an underlying medical issue, treatment for that specific health condition may be enough for your dog to stop eating non-food objects. However, sometimes pica could develop into a bad habit, especially if the pup has been eating non-food objects for a long time. In that case, treating the underlying health issue won’t solve the problem and the pet parent will need to limit the dog’s access to the items they like to eat.
If a nutritional deficiency is a cause, your vet may recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements, or changes in your dog’s feeding schedule.
Dogs with intestinal blockage will require hospitalization to undergo surgery.
Conseil de pro : The cost of surgery for an intestinal blockage is expensive. Foreign bodies lodged in the GI tract are considered medical emergencies, and most pet insurance plans will cover treatment and surgery.
Pica caused by psychological issues is usually more difficult to treat. This often requires a combination of behavioral reconditioning, training, reducing stress and anxiety, and keeping the items your dog likes to eat out of their reach.
For dogs suffering from separation anxiety and stress, exercise and training are recommended. Providing toys and chewable items might also be helpful.
Pet parents are also advised to examine their pet’s environment for possible stressors, such as kids that might not be interacting properly with the dog, other pets in the household, and so forth.
Work with your vet to develop a suitable treatment plan for your dog. They can also refer you to a veterinary behaviorist, who will be able to address both medical and behavioral issues and recommend anti-anxiety medications if necessary.
Cost of treating pica disorder
Pica treatment costs will depend on what’s causing the condition. For underlying medical issues, expenses can vary widely. In cases of behavioral pica, the fees for behavioral training can reach around $200 or more, and may require ongoing prescription medications.
Dogs that experience an intestinal blockage may require surgery, which can cost up to a few thousand dollars .
Preventing pica in dogs
Prevention is always better than a cure. The best way to prevent the development of pica is to keep your dog from eating non-food objects by putting them away. If your pet is eating wood, rocks, or grass, be sure to keep them on a leash while outdoors.
Some other ways to prevent pica in dogs include ensuring that your pup is getting enough mental and physical stimulation, making sure they eat a diet that meets their nutritional needs, and eliminating any anxiety triggers from their environment.
Clé à retenir
- Pica is a condition that is characterized by compulsive eating of non-food objects. Dogs with pica might eat plastic, paper, wood, clothes, and rocks.
- The cause of pica in dogs can be medical or psychological.
- Treatment will depend on the cause and might include behavioral modification or medications.
- The best way to prevent pica is to keep your pet from eating non-food objects by putting away the items they want to eat. Physical activity, mental stimulation, and a proper diet are also good ways to prevent pica.
