Eating spicy and/or fatty food, medication side effects, illness; these are all common causes of diarrhea in humans. Guess what: your dog may have diarrhea for the same reaons!
The following are canine symptoms and treatment:
Diarrhea is a common health problem with dogs; they eat weird things (including the table food you sneak to them), they may take steroid and non-steroid medications for arthritis and other joint and connective tissue conditions, and they may not do well with a new brand of dog food. When people get diarrhea, we have quick access to the toilet. But your dog has no such availability; if she just has to go, it may well be on your new beige carpet!
When you see the following symptoms along with diarrhea, take your dog to the vet right away:
- Fatigue, lethargy, uninterested in fun and play.
- Refusal of food and/or water.
- Abdominal pain to the touch and bloating.
- A fever of over 103 degrees (a dog’s normal temperature is about 102 degrees; if you own a dog, you need to have a rectal thermometer ready!)
- Dehydration that shows dry, sticky gums.
- Bloody stool.
- Vomiting.
All these can be signs of poisoning or other serious medical conditions. Don’t attempt to treat your dog for this type of diarrhea; let the vet handle it. A vet visit could save your dog’s life. If none of these symptoms are present, try these at-home remedies:
- Don’t feed your dog for 24 hours; this won’t harm her, and will allow her bowels to empty completely.
- Do provide plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration.
- Give your dog one teaspoon of Pepto Bismol every 4-6 hours, depending upon the frequency of her bowel movements and their consistency. For watery diarrhea, dose every 4 hours. For semi-solid stools, dose every six hours.
- In addition, give your dog a teaspoon of plain yogurt every 2-3 hours; yogurt contains active cultures that benefit both dogs’ and peoples’ gastrointestinal systems.
- When her condition improves, feed her a very bland diet like plain, skinned chicken and rice in a small quantity depending upon her breed and size.
- Continue with yogurt and small, bland meals until her symptoms are completely resolved.
Don’t forget to take your dog outside frequently! A dog with diarrhea cannot stop herself from eliminating any more than people can. Trying to make her “hold it” or scolding her will only stress her and is completely pointless. Maintaining your dog’s health is one of the many responsibilities of owning your canine companion.
Source: Tufts Home Dog Care Manual
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