Dog Diarrhea: Oh So Gross! Get Rid of It!
Here Are Some Useful Diagnosis and Treatment
It’s too bad that dogs aren’t like humans. In most cases, when a person experiences diarrhea they simply spend a little bit more time in the bathroom (and perhaps use a bit more air freshener). Ninety percent of the time it’s a simple case of poorly digested food or a short-term bug that’s going around- nothing serious in the long run.
The situations a bit different if you’re a dog. Once the diarrhea starts, the owner needs to pay attention and look for warning signs, indicators, or anything else that might dictate a cause for further inquisition or alarm. And, more often than not, the veterinarian gets a quick phone call. Diarrhea is something that affects dogs quite often, so rather than freak out every time your dog gets a case of the runs, educate yourself a bit so you know what to look for.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom that a dog will experience when suffering from diarrhea is the increased amount of fecal matter that will be departing from its colon. More often than not, the diarrhea is also accompanied by a less than pleasant odor.
The dog may have to “go to the bathroom” more frequently as a result, and the intensity of the experiences may vary as well. It may appear to be clearing up, and then it suddenly will worsen without warning. The dog may also have dried fecal matter on the underside of its tail, which would contribute to a lingering odor when in the presence of the dog.
Things to Look Out For
The fact is that your dog will experience more than one case of diarrhea during the span of its life. Though most of them will be mild and warrant no cause for concern, some cases of diarrhea may result in or be the result of other underlying circumstances. When your first notice that your dog has diarrhea, look for the following:
- Blood in their stools. If you notice blood when the dog is experiencing diarrhea you should immediately contact your vet. There could be many causes for this, from a viral infection to a parasite infestation. Do not take chances with this one.
- Short-term, high intensity bursts. This can be a warning sign for other, more serious conditions or causes. This is an identifier for many different viral and bacterial infections, as well as some other, more common illnesses. Call your veterinarian if you notice this.
- Dehydration. Dogs are much more prone to dehydration than humans are when experiencing diarrhea, so ensure that you dog always has an ample supply of water and that it is drinking it. If it isn’t, and the dog is acting lethargic, sluggish, or sickly, see a veterinarian immediately.
- Vomiting while experiencing diarrhea. This is also a warning sign for a more serious illness, and you should consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice this.
- Duration of symptoms. If the symptoms persist for more than a few days your dog may have an infection or other illness. Be sure to see a veterinarian to learn out the reason why it is persisting and obtain any required medication.
Diagnosing Diarrhea
It will be quite obvious when your dog is experiencing diarrhea. However, what wont be obvious are the underlying conditions which are causing the diarrhea. If the condition persists for more than a few days, a visit to the veterinarian will be in order.
The veterinarian will likely take blood samples, and they will be able to tell you (in depth) what the root cause of the diarrhea is. Always remember to ensure that your dog is drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration (and the health problems that come long with it).
Getting Rid of Diarrhea
The diarrhea will pass on its own most of the time, though there may some situations will may require medication or supplementation in order to promote the diarrhea to subside. There are numerous different types of medication available for diarrhea treatment, and there are an increasingly large number of supplements to treat diarrhea with as well. We have had success treating dog diarrhea with RuniPoo Relief from PetAlive.com
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