Diarrhea treatment for dogs includes withholding food, ensuring that the dog is drinking plenty of liquids and giving the dog a quiet place to rest. Veterinarians should also be consulted if the diarrhea lasts for more than two days or if it is accompanied by severe symptoms.
Stop Food Intake and Increase Liquids
As soon as you notice diarrhea in a dog, all of the dog's food intake should be completely stopped. Continual eating can make diarrhea worse, and it is best to withhold food for between 12 to 24 hours once a dog begins to experience diarrhea. Once the diarrhea has stopped for at least 12 hours, small amounts of food can be given to the dog and the dog should be closely monitored for any new diarrheal symptoms once it eats.
Dehydration is a main concern when dogs have diarrhea, and liquid intake should be encouraged. Plenty of fresh clean water should be frequently offered to the dog and pet owners may want to add small amounts of Pedialyte to help keep dehydration and electrolytic imbalance from occurring in their dog.
Rest and Quiet
Dogs suffering from diarrhea need plenty of rest and a quiet environment to recover. Try to calm the home environment and let children in the household know that the dog needs to be left alone. Limit all activities and exercises for the dog for the next couple of days until he or she is fully recovered.
Look for the Cause
To prevent the diarrhea from occurring again, try to find out what caused the diarrhea in the first place. For example, did the dog get in the garbage, eat a new type of dog food or did someone slip the dog table scraps? If the suspected cause is a change in diet, than the dog's original diet should be resumed (once he can eat again).
Call Your Veterinarian
Most diarrhea illnesses in dogs will resolve themselves in a few days as long as the dog is provided with good home nursing care. However, some diarrhea illnesses which are caused by underlying medical conditions or parasites will not get better on their own. If your dog has been suffering from diarrhea for more than two days, call your veterinarian to see if he needs an examination or a prescription medication.
When Your Dog Needs Medical Attention
If your dog is suffering from diarrhea which is accompanied by vomiting, pain or staggering, get your dog to a veterinarian immediately; these could be signs of poisoning or twisting of the bowels. Dogs suffering from diarrhea with symptoms of fatigue, straining to go the bathroom or bloody diarrhea should also be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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