Dogs diarrhea is the most common complaint received by veterinarians, and it’s easy to identify. The smell is unmistakable as well as its appearance. Diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal dysfunction. It can be caused by dietary indiscretions or stress, and will often go away on its own with time. When you eat bad food, your body’s natural reaction is to remove any potential illness as quickly and efficiently as possible. This helps keep the GIT free from infection by pathogens that could cause more damage if not removed.
• Loss of appetite
• Marked lethargy
• Black, tarry stool, or stool with copious amounts of fresh blood (bright red)
• Frequent vomiting
• Signs of abdominal pain (bloating, groaning, panting rapidly, or avoidance response when the belly is touched)
• Lasts longer than 48 hours (Since it can rapidly weaken puppies and geriatrics, or dogs with chronic diseases, they may need veterinary attention sooner.)
Mild Dog Diarrhea Immediate Care:
If your dog is showing signs of mild diarrhea and does not meet any other criteria, the best thing to do is put them on 24-hour rice water fast with and the oral administration of an intestinal protectant containing bismuth subsalicylate such as kaolin clay and pectin or a suspension.
Loperamide, an on-the-counter medication can be given if diarrhea doesn’t resolve easily. Caution should be used when giving this drug to Collies and it shouldn’t last longer than five days. Fasting your dog is an excellent way to heal her GIT. During the fast, make sure you provide plenty of rice water (a creamy liquid that results from boiling white rice in water). When it comes to rice, make sure you buy good-quality white rice. Brown and “minute” rice both have too much fiber that can slow down the transit of digested material through your colon which may result in softer stools.
When your dog has finished the fast, start him back on a bland diet of cooked white rice mixed with water and baby food for protein. Include probiotics in your dog’s diet, using at least 2 to 10 billion viable bacterial organisms for each meal.
If the diarrhea is severe, and if your dog is enduringsymptoms of dehydration you may want to give them some loperamide. This will reduce the amount lost in fluids while they are on this rice-water fast.
If you know someone who might like this, please click “Share”!
