Medication For Dog Diarrhea
Many vets and pet parents rave about the results of the Vets Preferred Advanced Anti Diarrhea supplement. It aims to relieve not only diarrhea but also ease stomach cramps and abdominal pain.
This is just one of the many anti-diarrhea products on the market. It is important to discuss with your veterinarian what will work best for your dog.
Preventing Vomiting And Diarrhea In Dogs
- Avoid feeding fatty, salty, or spicy foods
- Introduce diet changes slowly, over 5-7 days, to allow the intestinal bacteria to adjust.
- Speak to your vet about calming supplements or anxiety medication if your pet is easily stressed.
- During times of stress, it may be helpful to use a soothing pheromone spray or plug-in adapter .
- Consider feeding a probiotic supplement if your pet is prescribed antibiotics. Always ask the advice of a vet before giving your pet supplements or medication.
- If your dog eats a raw diet or has exposure to rodents or wildlife, your vet may recommend routinely submitting a fresh stool sample to rule out intestinal parasites.
- Roundwormsare extremely common in puppies. Your vet will recommend deworming your new puppy with an appropriate dewormer.
- Ask your vet or make an appointment with one of the FirstVet vets to discuss deworming your puppy or adult dog.
- Vaccinating your dog against parvovirus is extremely important. Puppies should be vaccinated starting at 6-8 weeks, then every 3 weeks until 16-18 weeks of age. Adult boosters will be needed to maintain immunity. Prevention of this disease is VERY important. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can cause fatalities, especially in young puppies.
Diarrhea With Vomiting In Dogs
When dog diarrhea occurs with vomiting, a new section of the gastrointestinal tract has entered the picture. Gastroenteritis is the group term for inflammation of both the stomach and the upper GI tract.
Sometimes a high-fat treat, even a small one, can trigger pancreatitisa condition wherein the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes, among other things, becomes inflamed. This condition can cause acute vomiting and diarrhea as well as abdominal pain. In very severe cases, pancreatitis can even be fatal.
Vomit that contains blood can look red, brown, or black. Unlike a small amount of blood in the stool, any amount of blood in vomit is concerning and should result in a trip to the vet right away.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Ibs In Women
What Can You Give Your Dog For Diarrhea
Dog diarrhea can be dangerous for pet parents. Some over-the-counter remedies can prove fatal if they are used in the wrong circumstances. A bland diet, such as rice and white meat chicken, may be sufficient to treat mild diarrhea that is not linked to any serious health problems. You can ask your veterinarian if it is safe to give your dog canned pumpkin, kaolin-pectin, probiotics, or any other medications.
The Last Word On Puppy Diarrhea
Diarrhea is common in puppies because they explore their worlds with their mouths. Using simple prevention tactics, deworming schedules, and timely puppy vaccinations can eliminate or reduce most causes of diarrhea, leaving your puppy to thrive, grow properly, and become the stunning adult canine you know theyre destined to be.
When your puppy falls unexpectedly ill, you want to get them the best care pawsible. Pumpkins puppy insurance plans can help pay for 90% of covered vet bills to help you do just that.
*Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , a Crum & Forster Company and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. For more details visit pumpkin.care/underwriting-information and pumpkin.care/insurance-licenses.
Recommended Reading: What’s The Difference Between Ibs And Ibd
What The Color And Appearance Of Dog Diarrhea Means
Diarrhea can have different appearances and colors. Here are some descriptions that will help you figure out whats causing your dogs diarrhea.
Normal Dog StoolNormal dog stools should be chocolate brown and firm. If your dog is fed a raw diet with raw meaty bones, it may also be somewhat chalky because of the bone content.
Green Dog StoolGreen colored stool can mean your dog has been eating excessive amounts of grass or vegetation or it can be a gallbladder issue. Talk to your vet if it continues.
Blue Dog StoolThis is a sign your dog has eaten rat poison which is usually blue. This needs emergency attention, so take your dog to the vet immediately and take a sample of his stool with you if you can.
Orange Or Yellow Dog StoolOrange or yellow stool can mean your dog has a liver issue, so see your vet if it continues.
Red Streaks In Dog StoolBlood in the stool may be from an inflamed intestinal tract. You can also check for injuries around your dogs anus. Straining can cause injury that would release specks of blood into his stool. If its consistent and often, there could be a more serious problem.
Black And Tarry Dog StoolThis is a sign that there could be bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. See your vet if your dog has black, tarry stool.
Gray And Greasy Dog StoolThis might be a problem with the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care. Read more about pancreatitis.
Viral & Bacterial Infections
Parvovirus, often referred to as simply parvo, is a diagnosis that strikes fear in any puppy owners heart. This virus is highly contagious and wreaks havoc on your puppys immune system and body, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, fever, and lethargy. Treatment consists of supportive care to help your puppy fight the disease and target symptoms. A puppy with parvo will likely be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluids , medications, and round-the-clock supervision from her veterinary team. Parvo is often fatal, especially if treatment is started too late.
Thankfully, there is an effective vaccination for parvo, and it is included in the routine puppy series. Your puppy will receive several rounds of the vaccine depending on her age. Its essential to get your puppy to her booster appointments on time even one missed vaccination can leave her unprotected. Once she has finished her puppy series, the following year she can either get a one-year or three-year vaccine.
Avoid places with other dogs, such as dog parks, boarding kennels, and popular dog-walking spots until she is fully vaccinated. Only allow her to interact with dogs that you know are vaccinated. If your puppy does get parvo, she will need to be kept away from unvaccinated dogs and puppies to prevent spreading it to them.
Also Check: How To Tell The Difference Between Ibs And Food Poisoning
When To Visit Your Vet
If your dog has just had one episode of diarrhea and is otherwise behaving normally, it’s usually not a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your canine companion’s bowel movements and see if things clear up. If your dog has more than 2 episodes then there might be a problem, so it’s a good idea to call your vet if your pup has two or more bouts of diarrhea.
If your pooch is straining to pass a stool but is only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention, call your vet or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital for treatment.
Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short time period can be a sign of a very serious health issue, especially if your furry friend is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea.
If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet immediately to book an appointment:
- Weakness
What To Do When Diarrhea Happens
If your puppy develops diarrhea, always talk to your vet first. Especially if it involves diarrhea and vomiting, the deadly combination for young puppies.
If your vet feels you can manage the diarrhea at home, here are some tips:
Fluids, fluids, fluids. Try giving your puppy water, sodium-free broth and pediatric fluids to replace the lost fluids and electrolytes.
Give their system a rest. Give your puppys digestive tract a break. Try feeding your puppy small amounts of broth every hour or so for one day to rest the GI tract. Always consult with a veterinarian before fasting a puppy, however, as this can cause hypoglycemia in very small puppies.
Bland diet. A slurry of sodium-free broth, boiled chicken, and plain white rice is easy to digest once your puppy is ready to eat again. You can offer small amounts of this mixture for several days to get your puppy through their bout of runny poop. If diarrhea lasts longer than several days on a bland diet, consult with your veterinarian.
Other home remedies. Talk to your veterinarian about offering organic canned pumpkin, probiotics , or kaolin-pectin to your puppy. These can help solidify their poops.
If diarrhea continues, another chat with the veterinarian and some lab work may be necessary, but many common diarrhea problems resolve themselves with minimal veterinary care.
Also Check: How Many People Have Ibs
What Treatments Will A Vet Prescribe For My Dogs Diarrhea
The treatments a vet prescribes will depend on whats causing their diarrhea. For example, if they have a bacterial infection, a vet can prescribe antibiotics. On the other hand, a vet can prescribe a dewormer if your dog has parasites. Your vet may ask you to bring in a stool sample so they can see for themselves what the diarrhea looks like and perform a fecal exam to check for parasites.
Why Diarrhea Can Be Dangerous For Puppies
Even when it doesnt signal an infection or other disease, diarrhea can be a threat to your puppys health. Because their little bodies have a higher ratio of surface area to weight than adult dogs, puppies can quickly become dehydrated. And dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Electrolytes are vital for multiple functions of the body, including heartbeat , so trouble with your puppys electrolytes can quickly become a life-threatening emergency. In addition, ongoing diarrhea that leads to dehydration can eventually cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your puppys diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, fever, lethargy, distress, or any other additional symptoms.
Don’t Miss: Can Iron Pills Cause Constipation
How Is Diarrhea In Puppies Properly Diagnosed
If your puppy has diarrhea, it’s important to bring him or her in for a visit to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will ask you about your puppy’s history and perform a physical examination. Based on the findings from the history and physical examination, your veterinarian may recommend some diagnostic tests. These tests may include a fecal flotation for identifying worm eggs and coccidia, a giardia test, or a parvovirus test if your puppy has incomplete vaccinations. Remember, just because you cannot see worms in your puppy’s stool doesn’t mean they aren’t there, so it is always best to deworm your puppy prior to further testing and medications.
When Should I See A Veterinarian About My Puppy’s Diarrhea
If your puppy has diarrhea for more than three days, is vomiting, is lethargic or has a fever, you should see a veterinarian immediately. Diarrhea can be caused by many different things and some causes can be serious, so it’s always best to have your puppy evaluated by your veterinarian.
In summary, diarrhea in puppies is very common and can have many different causes. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include dietary changes, antibiotics, or antiparasitic medications. Prevention tips include practicing good hygiene, keeping up with vaccinations, and avoiding contact with contaminated areas. Diarrhea usually lasts for two days, but if it persists for more than three days or your puppy becomes lethargic you should see a veterinarian immediately, they are the best resource for diagnosing and treating this frustrating condition.
Read Also: What’s Good For Heartburn
Treating Diarrhea In Puppies
Your puppys cause of diarrhea will determine the treatment. The cause of your puppys diarrhea is dependent on the severity. Mild diarrhea due to stress or dietary changes can often be treated with a bland diet. However, it is a good idea for you to talk to your veterinarian to discuss at-home options. You should ensure that your puppy has plenty of water as even mild diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Your vet might diagnose your puppy with a viral or bacterial infection. You may need to keep your puppy in hospital while he heals. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to help with primary and secondary bacterial infections. He might also recommend intravenous fluids for your puppy to keep him hydrated while he recovers.
Garbage ingestion may resolve itself if your dog did not eat something that caused it. However, your vet might recommend changing to bland food until your puppy has diarrhea cleared up. Toxins or poisons need immediate medical attention. The treatment for each toxin will vary.
The treatment plan for your dog with a parasite depends on the type of parasite and the severity of the infection. Some parasites can be treated with simple medication. Others require more intensive treatment.
What If Home Treatment Doesn’t Work
When in doubt, when concerned, or when the diarrhea extends beyond a day or two, despite your best at-home efforts, your best bet is to have your pet and their poo evaluated by your veterinarian. No amount of internet searching and no number of trial and error home remedy attempts can compete with the comprehensive history taking, thorough physical examination, diagnostic testing, and the ability to prescribe safe and effective medications or supplements that only your veterinarian can offer.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Leaky Gut
When Should I Contact My Vet
With such a diverse range of potential ailments, it can be difficult to know when you should contact your vet about your canine companion’s diarrhea!
If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and displays no other symptoms, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your dog’s bowel movements to see if diarrhea persists. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it’s a good idea to call your vet if diarrhea has persisted for three or more episodes.
If your dog is straining to pass small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a toy or another foreign object. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away, and you should contact your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital for care immediately.
Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if the patient is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pet is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.
Dogs presenting additional symptoms alongside diarrhea should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms, consider contacting a vet right away to make an appointment:
- Blood in stool
- Weakness
- Signs of dehydration
How To Know When Diarrhea Is A Medical Emergency
When in doubt, call your veterinarian or an emergency hospital for advice.
Questions? To chat with a veterinarian about your dog’s diarrhea,
Read Also: Is Turmeric Good For Ibs
What Should I Do If My Puppy Has Diarrhea
If your puppy has diarrhea, there are a few things you can do to help. First, make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink. You can also offer them small meals of bland food, such as boiled chicken or white rice, every few hours. Finally, you can add a small amount of bran cereal or canned pumpkin to their meals for the extra fibre benefits.
What Is The Treatment For Diarrhea
For otherwise healthy adult dogs, your veterinarian may advise you to withhold food for up to 24 hours or to feed small quantities of a veterinary diet for gastrointestinal problems. These diets are specifically formulated with a balance of fibers that feed the good bacteria found in your dogs intestine and with certain antioxidants that support your dogs immune system while recovering.
“Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics may be prescribed.”
Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics may be prescribed. There are several probiotic products that may be helpful in dogs with diarrhea. As the quality and effectiveness of these products are not always known, consult your veterinarian before offering anything to your dog. Many cases of acute diarrhea respond quite readily to this conservative treatment, allowing the body’s healing mechanisms to correct the problem, without the initial cause ever being established. As the stools return to normal, your dogs regular diet can usually be transitioned from the prescribed veterinary diet over seven to ten days.
If your dog is not improving within two to four days, further tests or more aggressive treatment may be necessary. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can result in significant dehydration and metabolic disturbances due to fluid loss and your dog may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy or other, more intensive, treatments.
Recommended Reading: Do Bananas Give You Heartburn