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.
There are several ways simple, mild diarrhea can be treated.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to remove any abnormal bacteria in the intestines.
Oftentimes, medications such as Kaolin and Pectin are given in conjunction with Metronidazole. Together, these medications work quickly to both stop diarrhea as well as firm the stool.
Probiotics are sometimes used also. These are beneficial bacteria that help restore the balance of normal bacteria in the intestines. Some probiotics are used to treat diarrhea and others can be used to prevent diarrhea.
Food that is bland, such as boiled chicken and white rice, gives the intestines a chance to calm down and readjust.
It is very important to remember that while our dogs are members of our family, they should not be given over the counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Immodium or Kaopectate without the express consent of a veterinarian. In most cases, mild diarrhea will clear within a few days. If however it does not, a re-visit to your veterinarian is needed for further testing as well as exploring other alternative methods of treatment. Available below is a detailed video which discusses the treatments for simple, mild diarrhea.
Furthermore, if your dog displays bloody or tar like stools, other symptoms, or is just not feeling well it is very important that you seek the assistance of a veterinarian immediately. Dogs that may have other systemic illness will begin to get worse more rapidly without professional care.
How to Prevent Diarrhea
Here are some easy things you can do to prevent many cases of diarrhea:
Keep all trash, human food and medications out of reach.
Never feed your dog human food or table scraps.
Supervise your dog when outside to make sure it does not eat something it should not.
If you need to change your dogs diet, do so gradually by mixing the new food and the old food. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old food until you are feeding only the new food. Make this change over at least seven days. Some dogs may need longer.
When boarding your dog, take your own food.
Deworm your dog every month. Most heartworm preventives will also deworm a dog.
This article is meant to provide general information. It is in no way meant to replace a visit to a trained veterinarian.
There are several ways simple, mild diarrhea can be treated.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to remove any abnormal bacteria in the intestines.
Oftentimes, medications such as Kaolin and Pectin are given in conjunction with Metronidazole. Together, these medications work quickly to both stop diarrhea as well as firm the stool.
Probiotics are sometimes used also. These are beneficial bacteria that help restore the balance of normal bacteria in the intestines. Some probiotics are used to treat diarrhea and others can be used to prevent diarrhea.
Food that is bland, such as boiled chicken and white rice, gives the intestines a chance to calm down and readjust.
It is very important to remember that while our dogs are members of our family, they should not be given over the counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol, Immodium or Kaopectate without the express consent of a veterinarian. In most cases, mild diarrhea will clear within a few days. If however it does not, a re-visit to your veterinarian is needed for further testing as well as exploring other alternative methods of treatment. Available below is a detailed video which discusses the treatments for simple, mild diarrhea.
Furthermore, if your dog displays bloody or tar like stools, other symptoms, or is just not feeling well it is very important that you seek the assistance of a veterinarian immediately. Dogs that may have other systemic illness will begin to get worse more rapidly without professional care.
How to Prevent Diarrhea
Here are some easy things you can do to prevent many cases of diarrhea:
Keep all trash, human food and medications out of reach.
Never feed your dog human food or table scraps.
Supervise your dog when outside to make sure it does not eat something it should not.
If you need to change your dogs diet, do so gradually by mixing the new food and the old food. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old food until you are feeding only the new food. Make this change over at least seven days. Some dogs may need longer.
When boarding your dog, take your own food.
Deworm your dog every month. Most heartworm preventives will also deworm a dog.
This article is meant to provide general information. It is in no way meant to replace a visit to a trained veterinarian.
About the Author:
An experience veterinarian with great passion for writing, Heather Fox loves to share her knowledge about Dog Diseases Symptoms with fellow pet lovers. You can find more of her lessons including Dog Atopic Dermatitis Causes on Clivir.com.
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