Tips on How to Stop Diarrhea in Dogs

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One of the most common health problems among dogs and many other pets is diarrhea. Although this is a condition that most dogs will suffer from at some point in their lives, it is important to understand the causes and to know how to treat your pet if necessary. Here is a little more information about the causes of diarrhea, what you should watch for, and what actions you need to take if your dog is suffering from diarrhea.

Symptoms to Look for in Your Dog

Of course, the biggest symptom of diarrhea is loose stools. However, these are often accompanied by other symptoms that you should keep an eye out for. These include vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

The Main Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs

If a dog is usually healthy, then there are a variety of reasons why they would suddenly develop diarrhea. Some of the most common reasons include sudden changes in the diet, stress, scavenging behavior or infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. When dogs are suffering from chronic diarrhea, it is often the result of parasitic infections, stress, food intolerances, or allergies. In less common cases, it is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as some types of cancer, pancreatic disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes, it can also indicate a health problem outside the gastrointestinal tract, such as heart disease or liver failure.

Immediate Treatment for Dog Diarrhea

How you should treat your dog for diarrhea depends on several factors. For example, if the dog has an underlying health condition already or if they are either very young or very old, then you should seek the advice of a veterinarian. You should also contact a veterinarian if there is blood in your dog’s diarrhea, it is exceptionally watery, or if it is very frequent.

If your dog is usually healthy and is an adult, there are some steps you can take to treat diarrhea at home. First, you should make sure your dog has plenty of water. This will help to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Offer your dog a small meal of white rice and meat with no bones. If your dog worsens, then you should speak to your veterinarian.

If the Dog is Also Vomiting

There are different ways that you should treat your dog if it has only vomited once or twice. Although you should make sure they have plenty of water to avoid dehydration but remove all food from your dog for 12 hours. If they have not vomited for more than six hours, then you can offer them a small amount of white rice and boiled white meat. Monitor your dog for the next two hours. If they have still not vomited, then you can give them a little more of the meat and rice. You should continue this treatment for the next 24 hours. Contact your veterinarian if the condition of your dog begins to worsen at any point.