For many dogs with mild diarrhea that are still eating, drinking and acting normal, home treatment may be all that is required. This can be done by providing your dog with a bland diet such as white rice and boiled, skinless, boneless chicken breast. Implementing this food in small portions every two to four hours during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours of the onset of diarrhea will allow the intestines to resume a normal balance of enzymes. Once the diarrhea has resolved, you can then begin re-introducing their normal food in small amounts. If the diarrhea does not resolve or it returns after re-introducing the dogs regular diet, this can be an indication of something more serious and warrants an immediate visit to the veterinarian for testing and further treatment options.
Simple diarrhea in dogs is usually treated in several ways.
The first method is by antibiotics. Metronidazole is the most frequently used. This antibiotic helps remove any abnormal bacteria.
Medications such as Kaolin and Pectin can be used with metronidazole. They help firm the stool and stop diarrhea more quickly than it would stop on its own.
In some cases, Probiotics may be used in order to restore the balance of good bacteria in the intestines. There are several versions of which some are used to stop diarrhea and others are solely for prevention.
A bland diet is another option. By feeding your dog foods such as boiled chicken and white rice, the intestines are given the opportunity to calm down and readjust to normal.
Do not give your dog over the counter medications such as Immodium, Kaopectate, or Pepto-Bismol without checking with your veterinarian first. Most cases of simple diarrhea respond to treatment within a few days. If your dog continues to have diarrhea, you may need to re-visit the veterinarian for more testing or a change in therapy. The video below discusses treatment of simple diarrhea.
Tar like stool or blood stool, additional symptoms and a dog that just doesn't feel well must be taken to a veterinarian immediately. If gone untreated, the condition can become worse rapidly, leaving your dog vulnerable to more serious and dire consequences.
Preventing Diarrhea
Here are some easy things you can do to prevent many cases of diarrhea:
Keep trash, human food, and medications locked up and out of reach of your dog.
Never feed your dog human food or table scraps.
Always supervise your dog while he/she is outside in order to make sure they are not eating something they shouldn't.
In order to implement a change to your dogs regular diet, you must mix small amounts of the new food with the old, gradually working your way up to only serving the new food. This gradual introduction allows the intestines time to adjust. In most cases a period of about seven days is all that is needed, however some dogs may need longer.
If you must board your dog or have them stay with family or friends, always bring your own food.
Deworming. It is important to do this every month. Most heartworm medications will also deworm your dog.
This article is meant to provide general information. It is in no way meant to replace a visit to a trained veterinarian.
Related posts:
- The Symptoms and Diagnosis for Canine Diarrhea
- Prevention Of Common Dog Illnesses
- Dog Hot Spot – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
- Treatment must be given to dog with Arthritis
- What Causes Obesity In Cats And Dogs?
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