Ways To Stop Diarrhea In Dogs

One of the most simplistically complicated health problem associated with us humans is diarrhea. It could make us take rounds of the washroom owing to a simple unsuitable meal or can make us sick as a dead man when associated with a more serious cause.

The same can be an area of concern with our furry pals. Diarrhea in dogs is one of the most common cases one can see at a vet clinic, probably because of the cleaning work that follows or the genuine care that a pet parent has for its dog. Whichever the case, diarrhea in dogs is one of the most common ailments and one should know if it could be treated at home or should be seen by a veterinarian.

CAUSES OF DIARRHEA 

Diarrhea can occur in dogs when they ingest something unwanted, are undergoing stress, have a change in diet or are suffering from viral or bacterial infection. Though it may sound unpleasant but checking the stool if your dog is suffering from diarrhea is important because the consistency of the stool and its color tells a lot about his gastrointestinal health. Watery diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance of your canine, whereas diarrhea involving lower bowel or colon are small amounts of soft, mucoid stool.

DIAGNOSIS

Depending upon the nature and cause of diarrhea in your canine, diagnosing the same can be as easy as running a simple stool test to as complicated as running abdominal x-rays or ultrasounds, or undergoing endoscopy or exploratory surgeries.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG DURING DIARRHEA

One should call a veterinarian in the following cases:

1.     If the dog is small, very young or very old

2.     If the dog has preexisting health problems

3.     If the dog is experiencing frequent or very watery diarrhea

4.     If the diarrhea contains blood or is tarry

5.     If the dog is vomiting extensively, is lethargic or in pain

If you find your dog in a playful state of mind despite the condition, you can try a few home remedies, like:

For the furry pals who just have diarrhea, pet parents should encourage them to drink plenty of water to reduce dehydration. Small quantities of food in the form of white chicken (boneless & skinless) along with rice could be given until stool consistency returns to normal. If the diarrhea persist for more than a day, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

For the dogs with diarrhea who have vomited once or twice, food intake should be stopped for 12 hours. Small quantities of water should be given at regular intervals. If the dog hasn’t vomited thereafter, small quantities of food in the form of white chicken (boneless & skinless) along with rice could be given. If the dog doesn’t vomit for more than two hours it could be fed again. Gradually increase the dosage of food and the time intervals between meals until the stool consistency returns to normal. If diarrhea persists for more than a day, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

PREVENTING DIARRHEA IN DOGS

Why wait for an ailment to strike your furry friend when it can be prevented. Diarrhea can be prevented in dogs in the following ways:

1.  Do not allow your pet to play with objects so small that they could be swallowed.

2.   Do not allow your dog to play with bones. Prefer rubber bones instead.

3.   Do not allow your pet to scavenge.

4.   Do not suddenly change your pet’s diet

5.   Ensure timely vaccinations and deworming sessions for your furry pal.

It’s not that hard to take care of your little ball of fur once you get into the groove. But you need to initiate to take care of your canine just once, after which, it will fill your life with unconditional limitless happiness.