If your dog has diarrhea, it can be a stressful experience for both of you. But don't worry, there are things you can do to help your furry friend feel better.
The main causes of diarrhea in dogs are intestinal parasites, food intolerance or allergies, infectious diseases, and stress. Symptoms include watery or soft stools, straining to defecate, increased frequency of bowel movements, blood or mucus in the stool, and weight loss.
First aid for dogs with diarrhea includes removing all food and water for 12 hours, giving small amounts of clear fluids, feeding a bland diet, adding probiotics to the food, and talking to your vet. With proper care, most dogs will recover from diarrhea quickly.
The Main Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs.
Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasites are a common cause of diarrhea in dogs. The most common type of intestinal parasite is the roundworm, which is transmitted through contaminated food or water. Other types of intestinal parasites include the hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm. These parasites can cause severe diarrhea and weight loss in dogs.
Food intolerance or allergies
Food intolerance or allergies are another common cause of diarrhea in dogs. Dogs can be intolerant or allergic to many different types of food, including soy, wheat, corn, beef, chicken, and eggs. Symptoms of food intolerance or allergies include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and giardia can also cause diarrhea in dogs. These diseases are usually transmitted through contact with contaminated feces or vomit. Symptoms of these diseases include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy.
Stress
Stress is a common trigger for diarrhea in dogs. Dogs may experience stress from many different sources, including changes in their environment (such as moving to a new home), changes in their routine (such as a new baby in the family), or even from other dogs (such as being introduced to a new dog). Symptoms of stress-related diarrhea include increased frequency of bowel movements and loose stools."
The Symptoms of Diarrhea in Dogs.
Watery or soft stools
The most common symptom of diarrhea is watery or soft stools. Your dog may also have an increased frequency of bowel movements. Other symptoms include straining to defecate, blood or mucus in the stool, and weight loss. If your dog has any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention from your veterinarian.
Straining to defecate
If your dog is straining to defecate, this may be a sign of constipation or an obstruction in the intestines. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention from your veterinarian.
Increased frequency of bowel movements
An increase in the frequency of bowel movements is another common symptom of diarrhea. If your dog has more than three loose stools in a day, it is important to seek medical attention from your veterinarian.
Blood or mucus in the stool
Blood or mucus in the stool can be a sign of a serious condition such as colitis or parasites. If you see blood or mucus in your dog's stool, it is important to seek medical attention from your veterinarian immediately.
Weight loss
Weight loss can be a symptom of many different conditions, including cancer and parasites. If you notice that your dog is losing weight, it is important to seek medical attention from your veterinarian so that the cause can be determined and treated appropriately."
First Aid for Dogs with Diarrhea.
Remove all food and water for 12 hours
If your dog has diarrhea, the first thing you should do is remove all food and water for 12 hours. This will help to rest their digestive system. If they are still showing signs of diarrhea after 12 hours, then you should consult your veterinarian.
Give your dog small amounts of clear fluids
After the 12-hour fast, you can start to give your dog small amounts of clear fluids such as boiled chicken broth or Pedialyte. Give them a few tablespoons every 15 minutes for one hour, then increase to every 30 minutes for four hours. If they vomit or have any more diarrhea, stop giving them fluids and call your vet immediately.
Feed your dog a bland diet
Once your dog is keeping down fluids, you can start to feed them a bland diet such as boiled white rice or oatmeal mixed with some plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Feed them small meals several times a day until their diarrhea has resolved.
Add probiotics to your dog's food
Probiotics are live bacteria that can help to restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. You can find probiotics in powder form at most health food stores or online, and simply mix it into your dog's food according to the package directions.
Talk to your vet
If your dog's diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours or if they are showing any other signs of illness such as vomiting, fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite, then you should take them to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Conclusion
If your dog has diarrhea, there are a few things you can do to help them feel better. First, remove all food and water for 12 hours. This will give their digestive system a chance to rest. Next, give them small amounts of clear fluids like chicken broth to prevent dehydration. You should also feed them a bland diet of boiled rice and chicken or cottage cheese for a few days. Finally, add probiotics to their food to help restore the healthy bacteria in their gut. If your dog's diarrhea persists, talk to your vet about other treatment options.