Canine diarrhea

Canine Diarrhea

For a simple case of diarrhea, try these remedies:
- Allow your dog plenty of opportunities to defecate
- Don't feed him; let him fast for a day in order to rest his irritated digestive tract
- Give him access to lots of fresh water
- Give him an ice cube or two every four hours (This may help him not drink so much water that he throws up again)

Initially, any deviation from this bland fare could cause signs to recur, but as things improve, you can gradually phase in your dog's regular diet over a week's time or with a
diet available at your veterinarian's office fed in small meals several times a day.

Causes of Diarrhea:
Viral, bacterial, parasites, garbagitis, metabolic or organ disease, diet related, cancer, lymphoma, the secondary affects of chronic diseases, chronic bowel disease, stress and anxiety, fungal, pancreatic insufficiency, side effects of certain medications, and hair.

Cases of severe or frequent vomiting / diarrhea need veterinary care because it may leave your dog dehydrated and malnourished. If his vomit or diarrhea contains blood, he has other symptoms like fever, if symptoms persist more than 1-2 days it's possible your dog may have an infection or a toxin. In these situations it's very important for the dog to be seen by his vet. Care may include intravenous fluids along with drugs that inhibit vomiting, suppress diarrhea, kill bacteria, and/or protect the digestive tract from further inflammation and irritation.

Treatments for Frequent and Chronic Problems
Sometimes periodic digestive distress evolves into a chronic problem, and diagnostic tests will be recommended to find out the cause. You can help your veterinarian by providing a detailed account of the duration, frequency, and severity of your dog's signs.
The presence of straining or abdominal discomfort, the color and consistency of the vomitus and/or diarrhea, and whether your pet has committed recent dietary indiscretions are important diagnostic clues.

The diagnostic tests recommended may include the following:
- First and foremost a fecal sample may be requested if possible. This test may show evidence of intestinal parasites, bacteria or other organisms.
- Blood and urine tests may show infection or liver, kidney, pancreas, electrolyte abnormalities, etc. that may be contributing to digestive problems.
- X-rays, barium studies, ultrasound, and endoscopy may also be requested to assist in the diagnostic work up.

Again, because your pet can not talk, a complete diagnostic evaluation will help rule out many of the underlying causes of gastrointestinal diseases.

For example, if your veterinarian suspects a tumor or foreign body blockage, he or she may order an x-ray.

If a more direct view is needed, your vet may recommend an endoscopic exam in which the practitioner uses a flexible scope with a fiber-optic light source to directly view digestive organs from inside the animal's body and look for ulcers, tumors, and foreign bodies. Also, microscopic evaluation of tissue samples taken during endoscopy (biopsies) can reveal the precise nature of the inflammation.

Biopsies also help veterinarians determine if a tumor is benign or malignant. Biopsies can also assist in diagnosing if a bacteria or allergies are the cause of the gastro-intestinal (GI) disease.

If the liver or other organ is suspected as the primary disease causing the digestive disturbance, an ultrasound may be recommended. These tests are non-invasive (non- surgical) and have been found to be very useful diagnostic tools.

The treatment your veterinarian recommends will, or course, depend on the diagnosis. A short course of medication usually does the trick for intestinal parasites. If tests show an abnormal proliferation of bacteria in the gut, antibiotics may be the treatment of choice. If your pet has ingested something poisonous, the vet may administer medication to either purge the poison from the dog's system or counteract the toxic effects. And some problems, such as tumors and foreign-body blockages, are best treated surgically.

Some chronic digestive disorders, such as food allergies, require life-long dietary management. And if the dog's large intestine is chronically inflamed (colitis), the vet may prescribe a carefully controlled diet along with medication (anti-inflammatory steroids or
antibiotics) to manage flare-ups.

More on Canine Diarrhea

First aid : Canine Diarrhea

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