The man’s best friend is no exception to diarrhea dogs could have this as well. Dog diarrhea is apparently occurring if there is an excessive amount of water in the feces. Such disorder is an alarming sign of intestinal disease that could lead to death due to extreme fluid loss and eventually to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, an imbalance in acid or base composition and worst death if it would develop into a more severe condition within twenty-four hours. To avoid these, every dog-lover should then be aware of different ways of treating diarrhea in dogs.
Dog diarrhea is caused by several and different factors such as eating an item that could upset stomach like spoiled food or eat a thing that is not food actually (toxins, drugs, or dead animals). A sudden in change in diet, stress, bacterial or viral infections, or intestinal parasites are also the common causes of dog diarrhea. Therefore, treating diarrhea in dogs will greatly depend on its cause.
One of the key factors behind the survival of canines is their digestive system. For starters, it is adapted to an omnivorous diet meaning the dog can eat a wide variety of foods. Secondly, it’s able to process just about anything the dog eats, and with their poorly developed sense of taste, dogs eat some stuff you don’t even want to know about. So it should only be a surprise that dogs sometimes get diarrhea. In fact, it’s probably a bigger surprise that they don’t get it more often.
Dog diarrhea can have any number of causes including, an upset intestinal tract, worms or parasites, anxiety, or more serious diseases. It may also just be an upset tummy, but you can never be sure, so it is best to speak to your vet.
Most of the time it may be something minor, and a simple medication will clear it up. Or you could use a natural remedy that is known to work.
Here are some effective home remedies for diarrhea
For acute disorders, to stabilize the intestinal tract, it is recommended to withhold food intake for about a day or half. This physiologic rest acts as a therapy to your dog’s stomach especially on the intestines as it gives ample time for the healing of the tract lining. After a day, you can gradually give your dog a bland and low-fat diet that is easily digestible. Give this in small amount but in frequent intervals to boost your dog’s digestive system. Boiled beef/chicken and boiled rice/potato are examples of this diet.
Accompanying the correct type of food should be sufficient amount of fluids such as fresh water and oral dehydrating solutions to replace the excessive loss known as dehydration. Also, the acid and base balance is repaired by substituting missing electrolytes throughout the fight of diarrhea. Generally, in most cases, de-worming would be a great idea to get rid of the parasites that cause dog diarrhea. For several cases, the use of antibiotics, intestinal adsorbents, and medications to give relief and protection to the intestinal tract lining may also be useful. However, these methods of treating diarrhea in dogs should be prescribed by a veterinary doctor.
Homeopathic Medicine
There are quite a few homeopathic medicines for treating dog diarrhea, including Arsenicum album and aloe. The right medicine to use will depend on the dog’s symptoms, such as the consistency of the stool.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies like L-Glutamine, Slippery Elm, Catnip, and Bayberry are effective in treating some intestinal problems including inflammation, bacterial infections, and flatulence.
High Fiber Diet
Fiber rich foods are excellent for promoting good intestinal health. Not only do they soften the stool in the case of constipation, but they also clear toxins from the system, thus eliminating a common cause of diarrhea. In the wild, dogs get most of their fiber from grasses, but feeding foods like brown rice or pasta, pumpkin, and oatmeal on a regular basis is an effective way to ensure a healthy digestive system.
Probiotics
Probiotic foods are rich in bacterial cultures. By feeding your dog these foods you effectively introduce “good bacteria” to the body and thereby maintain balance in the digestive system. The good way to introduce this to your dog’s diet is to buy a probiotic powder (there is a number marketed specifically for dogs). The powder is tasteless and can be mixed in with your dog’s food.
Bland Foods
When treating a dog that has diarrhea you need to strike a balance between keeping the dog nourished and hydrated, and not causing further irritation to the digestive system. Finally, the use of containers for storing dog foods that are not properly sealed can also lead to bacterial infection or other microbe irritants. Many pet owners store their pet’s food in the original bags and pay no mind to whether they are sealed or closed properly. This is asking for a potential problem. Often these foods get exposure to bacteria and rodents that potentially carry disease.
While your dog guards your home every day, during this time that your pet is in indispensable condition, it is the time that you closely monitor your dogs’ overall action and appetite aside from giving the necessary treatment. Be aware and check for any blood incidence in the stool, symptom worsening, or the onset of vomiting. Be your pet’s best friend this time.
For the first day you should withhold all food, but ensure that the dog gets plenty of water. From day two, begin to feed the dog a bland diet (boiled skinless chicken and rice are ideal). Continue with this diet until your dog’s condition returns to normal. Remember to always have fresh water available and to monitor his water intake as dogs with diarrhea are at risk of dehydration. Although diarrhea is usually trivial, it is always best to have your dog examined by a vet. Provided the vet confirms that there is no major medical problem underlying diarrhea, the methods mentioned above will be effective in clearing it up.
There are all natural pet supplements available that can help reduce the risk of dog diarrhea. There is a 3-Pak Kit for pets which is the most effective support product for issues that include or are a factor in causing diarrhea in dogs. The 3-Pak Kit is also a support product to issues like general digestive problems, skin problems, and mild yeast infections. This Kit includes Antioxidant Treats, Ox-E-Drops, and Sprouted Granules.