Mary Allen
My dog has diarrhea, what should I do?
Diarrhea, like vomiting, is a way for the body to get rid of substances that could be harmful. This is a protective function of the body. In most cases, diarrhea is not an independent disease, but a symptom of an existing underlying disease.
Then, learn more about causes and tips on how to properly treat diarrhea in dogs.
Dog has diarrhea
In most cases, diarrhea is not an independent disease, but a symptom of an existing underlying disease, or the result of the four-legged friend ingesting something that is indigestible or difficult to digest. Young dogs are often affected. Diarrhea in dogs can have many different causes. It is often a harmless disease that disappears on its own or can be easily treated. Serious diseases are behind it in the rarest of cases.
How is diarrhea manifested?
The feces of diarrhea are soft, mushy to liquid. It is often released uncontrolled by the dog. In some cases, the feces also contain blood, mucus, undigested leftover food, or fatty deposits. Additional symptoms of diarrhea can include loss of appetite, vomiting, wheezing in the intestines, flatulence, restlessness, weakness, cramping abdominal pain, or a tender abdomen.
The cause of diarrhea
There can be a number of reasons for diarrhea: an incorrect diet, a change in diet that was implemented too quickly, or food intolerance. However, hereditary or chronic diseases of the intestinal tract, poisoning, or psychological factors can also be the cause. Infection with bacteria, viruses, or parasites is also possible. The disease of the pancreas is also possible.
Here’s how you can treat diarrhea
How the dog is treated depends entirely on the cause and severity of diarrhea. If your dog only has minor symptoms, it is often sufficient to put him on a zero diet for 24 hours. During this time he should not be given any food, only water. Your dog loses a lot of liquid due to the liquid droppings. He must be able to make up for this loss. Water also helps the digestive tract clean itself. If you have acute diarrhea symptoms, you should also give your four-legged friend plenty of rest.
After 24 hours, you can slowly start bland foods. Soggy boiled rice and boiled boneless chicken, for example, are very well tolerated. Herbal remedies such as Iberogast can provide additional relief.
Dog diarrhea home remedy
A proven household remedy is the so-called “Morosche carrot soup”.
Morosche carrot soup
Recipe:
Wash 1kg carrots, cut off the ends, and peel depending on condition. Then cut into smaller pieces and bring to a boil in a large saucepan with water. Once boiling – simmer for 90 minutes. Depending on the water level, top up with some water if necessary. After cooking, drain the carrots and reserve the vegetable juice. Then the boiled carrots are mashed with a hand blender. The finer the puree, the better! Add enough of the reserved cooking water (vegetable juice) to the puree until it has the consistency of thick buttermilk. Then add 1 gram of table salt and stir. Now let it cool down (lukewarm or colder) and feed it in portions.
This soup can also be fed before each meal to prevent Giardia. If your dog’s condition does not improve significantly after 24 hours, you should definitely go to the vet! Especially in puppies and older dogs, severe diarrhea with high fluid loss can be dangerous.
Important: Always have water available for your dog!
Okoubaka
The (not quite classic) homeopathy also offers a very effective remedy: Okoubaka. These drops or globules are made from the so-called “Okoubaka tree” (Okoubaka aubrevillei), or rather from its bark. This tree belongs to the sandalwood family and contains many tannins, catechins, and phenolic carboxylic acid.
These active ingredients have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating effect and can thus support the healing of the irritated intestine. Even the liver, pancreas, and bile can be supported by Okoubaka.
In the case of acute diarrhea, potency D6 is used. The globules or drops are used 3-5 times a day at the beginning (3-5 drops each time). If there is an improvement, the frequency is reduced to 2-3x daily and given until the symptoms have completely disappeared.
Healing clay
If your dog doesn’t like Moro’s carrot soup and you don’t trust homeopathy, you can also use a classic yet natural “medication”, namely healing earth.
Available in every pharmacy, it should not be missing in any household pharmacy (regardless of whether it is for dogs or humans). It should be as fine as possible, then it has the greatest effect. Because of the extra fine grain, the powder has the largest possible surface, which enables the effect that has made healing earth so valuable for thousands of years.
Because of the large surface, it acts like a “sponge” and binds harmful substances, which it can then transport through the digestive tract out of the body. It can help with gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea, but also with over-acidification of the stomach (associated with excessive grass eating or smacking).
Dosage of the healing earth
The dosage of healing earth depends on the type of administration. They are available in capsules, powder, or granules. If your dog is a good eater then the powder form is a good choice. She is the most effective. Depending on the size of the dog, about ½ – 1 teaspoon of healing earth is sprinkled over the food.
Healing clay in capsule form
If your dog no longer touches his food, you should use capsules. Small dogs get 1 capsule, medium and large dogs can get 2-3 capsules and giant breeds can get 3-4 capsules.
If diarrhea then progresses to constipation, the dose should be reduced. However, if the reason for the diarrhea is suspicion of poisoning (e.g. through spoiled food or even a poisoned bait), you should not experiment yourself. Although charcoal tablets can be given to bind the toxins, the amount that would have to be administered to produce an appreciable effect is far too large. In addition, you lose valuable time!
If you suspect poisoning, go to the vet IMMEDIATELY. Further information on how to deal with a dog that may have been poisoned can be found in our text poison bait dog.
If your dog’s condition does not improve significantly after 24 hours, you should definitely go to the vet! Especially in puppies and older dogs, severe diarrhea with high fluid loss can be dangerous.
With disturbed bowel function – with thin droppings
Good intestinal bacteria are very important for health and optimal body defenses. The bacterial strains in Puur Probiotic are specially selected so that they can easily pass through the stomach without being killed by stomach acid.
Good intestinal bacteria reduce the acidity in the intestine. They produce active ingredients that fight disease-causing bacteria. This reduces the risk of intestinal infections.
By producing enzymes, they contribute to the good utilization of food. Probiotics produce short-chain fatty acids, which are a very important nutrient for intestinal cells.
A good condition of the intestinal cells is necessary to prevent all kinds of pathogens from entering the bloodstream through the intestinal wall. The development of allergies is also associated with excessive permeability of the intestinal wall.
Dog vomiting and diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea occur when the stomach and/or intestines are irritated or inflamed. Common causes of this are bacteria or viruses (similar to human gastroenteritis) but also when your dog eats something inappropriate (similar to human food poisoning).
What to do about nausea and vomiting in dogs?
Make sure your pet has enough water and encourage them to drink when needed. The situation is different with the food because if you feel sick it is worth putting in a fast day. Do not give your four-legged friend any food for around 12 to 24 hours so that his stomach can calm down.
When to take your dog to the vet for diarrhea?
Animals with diarrhea also show repeated vomiting, increased body temperature (fever), and are listless. A veterinarian should also be consulted, as severe diarrhea can become life-threatening within a few days if the lost fluid and electrolytes are not replaced.
How long does the stomach flu last in dogs?
Symptoms can range from lethargy and loss of appetite to diarrhea and vomiting, and last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. If the problem persists for more than 24 hours, you should seek advice from your veterinarian.
What to do if your dog has a gastrointestinal infection?
The lean chicken meat should be steamed in water and never fed raw. The resulting unseasoned broth can be offered to the animal and is well suited to replace the fluid lost through diarrhea. boiled carrots or
What can you do to calm your dog’s stomach?
To calm the stomach, it is best to feed your animal friend some oatmeal, psyllium husk, or carrot soup. For the beneficial soup, boil about 500 grams of carrots in one liter of water.
Bloody diarrhea in dogs
Watery-bloody diarrhea always requires treatment, your pet should be taken to a veterinarian! There was a risk of rapid dehydration and possibly severe kidney problems. But in the rarest of cases, the dogs behind it were bursting intestinal tumors or real poisoning.
My dog has diarrhea for 3 days
As soon as it lasts longer than three days, occurs regularly or your dog’s general condition does not improve, you should act. From a duration of 14 days, veterinarians speak of chronic diarrhea, the cause of which may lie deeper and should be found quickly.