Dog Diarrhea

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Your dog probably has had diarrhea at some point. One of the most typical symptoms of illness reported by dog owners is diarrhea, which is characterized by the passing of watery or extremely mushy stools. It's crucial for dog owners to comprehend why dogs get diarrhea and how to handle it—including what to give them as a treatment, when to be concerned, and more. Finding the source of your dog's diarrhea will reduce the likelihood that it will occur again.

Why Does my Dog Have Diarrhea

Dogs frequently get diarrhea, which can have a variety of causes. For instance, it may be the result of something as straightforward as a dietary error (we all know some dogs who get into the trash or eat table scraps). Or it could be connected to a more serious issue, like an infectious disease or consuming toxins.

Diarrhoea on occasion is not thought to be typical. You should consult your veterinarian if your dog has intermittent diarrhea for longer than a week or two. Bring a stool sample because one of the initial steps in determining your dog's condition is to screen for intestinal parasites. Your veterinarian may recommend additional diagnostics like blood work or X-rays in addition to talking about medications, dietary changes, and supplements.

what can i give my dog for diarrhea

Many cases are minor and may be handled at home with your veterinarian's guidance. They may react to a course of extremely straightforward therapies, such as:

Fasting

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It is possible to eliminate the cause of the upset and give the digestive system time to settle by depriving them of meals for 12 to 24 hours and giving them modest amounts of water often. For diarrhea, it's typically the first line of defense. Make sure your dog is healthy enough to withstand the fast before deciding to go through with it. For instance, puppies and older dogs need nourishment. Additionally, small dogs who lack the physical stamina of their larger cousins may not benefit from a fast.

Give your dog constant access to water because diarrhea can result in dehydration. On a veterinarian's recommendation, you can also give unflavored Pedialyte to help keep the electrolyte balance.

Kitchen Cures for Dog Diarrhea

Simple foods are typically introduced gradually after a fast. In order to normalize stool consistency, many dog owners start with foods that act as binders. Here are a few tried-and-true techniques:

_Rice water:

Boil plenty of premium rice in water until it is tender, then strain it to remove the grains. Feed the dog the remaining, creamy white soup. It will taste better if there is a little broth or baby food added.

_Pure white rice

_Pumpkin

has the strange distinction of being effective for both diarrhea and constipation (100 percent pureed pumpkin from the grocery store, pumpkin powder, or a can of pumpkin made specifically for dogs). If you are unable to find pure pumpkin, pumpkin powder designed for use by animals is a good substitute.

Dogs who can handle milk and milk products may benefit from plain yogurt with active microorganisms.

_Probiotics

to support beneficial living bacteria for digesting (these are also found in yogurt)

_Unpeeled potatoes that have been boiled

_farmhouse cheese

_Plain protein sources like chicken or eggs (cooked without butter or oil) (without skin)

_Herbs like fennel may have gastrointestinal calming effects.

_Foods specially formulated for dogs: Some producers offer foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs that can ease discomfort. Some of these might need to come from your veterinarian.

_Although they should be administered with caution and you should always check your veterinarian before using them, over-the-counter drugs for people may also be beneficial for treating doggie diarrhea.

What Stools Say About Your Dog’s Health

The consistency and color of your dog's diarrhea can tell you a lot about the source of the issue as well as what is going on within your dog. When describing the symptoms to a vet, be extremely cautious to record the color, consistency, and any other information that may be useful. The majority of the time, diarrhea will go away with home treatment after a few days, but it's a good idea to call your veterinarian if it persists for a long time or exhibits any of a number of indicators that could indicate a serious issue.

A "ideal dog feces" is described as being chocolate brown, shaped like logs, compact, and simple to scoop in this infographic from Purina. When pressed, experts say it ought to feel similar to play-doh or cookie dough. Large amounts, a consistency that resembles pudding or water, mucous symptoms (which seem as jelly), or blood streaks are not usual.

Take Note of the Color of the Poop

Additionally, color can reveal a lot about the health of your dog's digestive system. While shades of orange, green, or gray may indicate problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas, chocolate brown is considered to be normal. Stool that is black or tarry is extremely serious and may indicate internal bleeding. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice this.

When your dog has diarrhea, the color, shape, and consistency will all help you and your veterinarian determine what is wrong. These elements will assist your veterinarian in identifying where the issue is starting along the dog's digestive system.

Other Ways to Decipher Dog Poop

Along with color, the following typical abnormalities are listed, along with what they might be telling you about the cause of your dog's rashes:

Frequency:

_Small amounts with straining, several times each hour, which some people refer to as "the squirts," may indicate major intestinal irritation.

_A small bowel disorder could be indicated by three or four instances of a large volume.

_Oddly shaped or colored solid objectscan reveal the mischief your dog has engaged in. For instance, several little white structures like rice can indicate a tapeworm infestation. Grass, wood, or string may indicate that your dog consumed a substance that he was unable to digest.

Even though it may seem revolting, it's crucial to carefully examine your dog's poop if she has diarrhea so you can provide your veterinarian with as much information as you can. With this information, the veterinarian will be able to determine if you need to arrange an exam or whether you can handle the treatment yourself.

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