Diarrhea is one of the most common problems that affect pets. It can be a symptom of many health issues and isolated incidents. Diarrhea in dogs is usually caused by eating something they shouldn’t have, such as garbage or spoiled food. Parasites or viruses can also cause it.
Diarrhea is so persistent that even dogs who are exercising regularly can get it. For instance, a survey conducted to find the prevalence of diarrhea in police working dogs found that even they are vulnerable to diarrhea. The survey results published in the BMC Veterinary Journal show that around 10.6% of police working dogs get diarrhea, and 4% have had liquid diarrhea.
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common problem in dogs and can be recognized by the frequent passage of liquid or semi-liquid feces. Diarrhea may be mild or severe, temporary or chronic, and many factors can cause it.
Diarrhea results from an imbalance in the intestine’s ability to absorb water and electrolytes. The dog’s colon absorbs too much fluid into the colon resulting in more frequent bowel movements with more significant amounts of stool than normal.
This excess fluid also causes dehydration due to water loss through diarrhea. It also leads to increased urine production by the kidneys because they need more water than usual to process uric acid formed when food proteins break down into their amino acids during digestion.
The Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs?
The most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are infections, parasites, diet, and stress. Infections can result from bacterial or viral infections such as giardia or rotavirus. Parasites include roundworms and hookworms.
Dogs can also become allergic to certain foods, which causes them to vomit or have diarrhea after eating them. Some dogs develop gastrointestinal (GI) problems that make it difficult to digest their food correctly, leading to constant diarrhea.
Digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), inflammatory bowel hypermotility syndrome (IBHS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colon cancer can also lead to chronic diarrhea in pets. However, these conditions are more common in older animals with compromised immune systems due to age-related diseases like kidney failure or Cushing’s disease.
Regardless of what’s causing diarrhea, it is vital to get the right treatment quickly. You can try vitamins and supplements that can aid your dog. Supplements can help offer a balanced diet to your furry friend. Diawin is one such anti-diarrheal supplement for your pet. Diawin tablets for dogs can help manage nonspecific diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, it can also help relieve abdominal cramps and soothe indigestion for quick relief.
Understanding Your Dog’s Poop
There are a few things to look for in a dog’s poop. When you’re looking at your pet’s doo-doo, you should be checking for the following:
- Color: If it’s white, pale yellow, or grayish, that could indicate your dog has diarrhea.
- Consistency: The consistency of their dung can help determine whether or not they have the runs. If it’s very loose and mushy, there’s a good chance of diarrhea. If the feces are hard and dry, it might not be anything to worry about. But remember, just because your pooch isn’t ill doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch out for changes to his toilet habits in the future. Always keep an eye on what comes out of him.
Your dog’s poop can tell you much about his or her stomach. According to data, there are around 23 million coliform bacteria in a dog’s poop. Most of these bacteria are harmless, but some, like E.Coli, can be harmful. Consistent and brownish poop signifies that your pet is healthy.
Home Remedies for Treating Dog Diarrhea
While veterinarians best treat diarrhea, there are some home remedies you can use to ease your pet’s symptoms.
- You can also try giving your dog some medication to help treat diarrhea. The most common medications are antibiotics and antifungals. Your vet might be able to recommend a certain type of medicine that works well for your pet’s condition and digestive system. Antimicrobial drugs are usually rendered for diarrhea. A study published in the Wiley Online Library shows that 31% of dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) received 1 antimicrobial medicine.
- Another thing that you can do is give them plenty of water to keep them well-hydrated. This will help with everything from diarrhea to vomiting and fever.
- Feeding a bland diet may be necessary if your dog has diarrhea because it will not irritate its digestive system as much as other foods would. Some bland foods include white rice, boiled chicken breast without seasoning or fat added, and boiled potatoes without salt or butter added. According to a recent study published on the NCBI website, 50-60% of dogs with inflammation-related diarrhea respond positively to nutritional interventions.
When Is the Right Time to Take Your Pet to the Vet?
It is important to note that if your pet has symptoms of diarrhea for more than three days, you should take them to see a vet. They may have something more severe than just food poisoning or an upset stomach. If you notice any blood in the stool, call your vet immediately.
In addition to diarrhea, lethargy and vomiting are also signs that could warrant a visit from the veterinarian. Other symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, and loss of weight.
- If your dog or cat is over 10 years old
- If they’re younger than 3 months old
- If they are pregnant
How to Help Prevent Your Pet’s Diarrhea
It is advised to take a proactive approach to dog diarrhea. Instead of waiting for diarrhea to occur and treating it, it is best to prevent it in the first place. Here are some measures to prevent pet diarrhea.
- Feed your pet a healthy diet. Feeding your pet table scraps can contribute to diarrhea, so stick to the regular food you’ve chosen for them.
- Provide access to fresh water. Pets should always have access to clean, fresh water to stay well-hydrated and healthy. According to a recent study published in the MDPI Journal, water is the most crucial nutrient for dogs with acute diarrhea.
- Get some exercise. Exercise is essential for all pets because it helps build muscle tone, strengthen bones, prevent obesity and other health problems in older pets, and is just fun. But if your pet has trouble keeping up with their usual routine due to illness or injury, don’t push them too hard. Instead, encourage them gently but firmly towards more activity as soon as possible by restricting their food intake until they can get back into shape without feeling hungry all day.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to start getting more exercise and eating healthier. If you’re a parent who has noticed that their children aren’t active enough or eating healthy meals, it’s time for us all to get moving.
