Diarrhea Dogs Treatment Tips | Know Dog Diarrhea Symptoms and Causes
Written by AniMed.org
Reviewed by Kristin Westafer, DVM
It's messy, it can be painful, and it's also an indication that something's not quite right with your pet. Diarrhea is common in dogs, especially in those who raid the garbage or snack on something tasty off the street when their owners aren't looking. With proper care, this condition usually clears up in a day or two.
Treatment
If your dog has eaten something he shouldn't, or if you have changed his diet recently, he could wind up with a bout of diarrhea; this could also be the result of eating dairy products or a food he's allergic to. You can help clear up your dog's simple diarrhea by putting him on a full 24-hour fast. If he seems better after a day, put him on a bland diet of two parts cooked rice and one part boiled skinless white-meat chicken. Start him off with small amounts every four hours. If he still has diarrhea after two days, call your vet. If he's doing well, feed him about 1/4 of his regular food along with the bland diet; gradually up the percentage over several days until he's back on his normal diet.
While your dog is recuperating, make sure he's getting enough water. Diarrhea can rapidly lead to dehydration, so your veterinarian may recommend a drink enriched with electrolytes. Pedialyte, a formula for babies that's available in drug stores and supermarkets, is often given to dogs to help replenish important minerals depleted by diarrhea. Limit your pet's level of exercise to short walks while he's recovering.
Symptoms of a more serious health concern
- Explosive or bloody diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Lost appetite
- Straining to go to the bathroom
These could all be signs of a more serious disease, such as colitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Diarrhea can also result from intestinal worms, food allergy, intestinal obstruction from swallowing a foreign object, or a viral infection like hepatitis, parvovirus or distemper. Call your veterinarian if the diarrhea has not resolved within 2 days, worsens, or if you are worried about your pet's attitude or activity level. If you wait too long to seek medical help, your pet's condition may become serious and require aggressive treatment.
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Comments
I saw a suggestion from another forum that stated a few spoonfuls of 100% pumpkin from can would regulate a dog's system. It is suppose to firm up soft stools and diarrhea but will also provide fiber for constipated dogs as well.
While the previous comment is correct that you shouldn't give a pet asparin, actually, many pet meds are the same as people meds.My vet calls our prescriptions right into my local pharmacy, where they give the same stuff the people get My vet has told me it's fine to give my pooch 1/2 of a Pepcid AC for tummy upset. Maybe call your vet and ask if it would be ok to give them a little anti-diarrheal med.
Some meds are compatible with your pet's physiology, however, some are deadly! Never give your pet a human medication unless it has been specifically prescibed by your veterinarian! Likewise, only use dog medication for dogs (the specific dog for which it was prescribed), cat medicaition for cats (the specific one for which it was prescribed), etc.!
I let my toy chichuachua eat some roast & a little of the drippings; it caused her to get diarrhea; I knew better (as I have had many, many dogs) but let her have some and now she has diarrhea - can I give her a little bit of kaopectic or pepto bismal to comfort her tummy; now she doesn't want to eat her food , which I am thinking is probably a good thing, at least for 1 to 24 hours. Anyone know if I will hurt her by giving her "people" med ?
Thank you
ngreen@stx.rr.com
whoever says that people meds should never be given to dogs obvoiusly doesnt know pharmaceuticals. "ppl" meds and "animal" meds r usually the same but just a smaller dose. i am 100% certain of this as i have seen vets prescribe animals "people" antibiotics, inflammatories, muscle relaxants and even pain killers...although pepto bismol prob a big no no . if u go to an "all natural store" they may have all natural remedies for ur dogs diarrhea which is most likley safe.
This is absolutely correct!! I have fostered many dogs and had an exceptional vet who didn't try to sell high price canine RXs. He often gave me suggestions and permission to use certain people meds, just at a lower dosage.
Pepto has been prescribed by the vet for my german sheppard. The tablets instead of the liquid though. So it IS ok to give a dog pepto. Just crush the tabs into their food, It really helped my dog.
People meds should never be given to dogs unless the Vet says so. Many people meds, like ibuprofen and aspirin, can actually hurt the animal than to help it. Give the dog a small amount of cooked white rice and cooked white chicken meat. This should help to settle her stomache.
Duh!
Not helpful. This person is looking for help and at least asking before giving a potentially dangerous medication. Take your hate somewhere else.
I have a male Chihauhau that is a rescue dog and I have only had him for several months and do not know much about him other than he has had tonsillites and on prescription medication. I only feed him Petigree dog food and he has done well on it. He was so full of gas for 24 hours and then I found very loose stool on my rug in my bathroom. This AM I found he had used a rug in another room, small loose stool. He is house trained and has rarely if ever had an accident. Since the vets are out for the holiday, I wonder if any one knows a good way to help him or any home remedy treatment that will work. Thanks