Dog antibiotics commonly cause diarrhea, but there are also antibiotics that can be administered to cure diarrhea that is caused by common bacteria or viruses that are present in the intestinal tract. The antibiotics treatment is not recommended for diarrhea, unless the dog has a severe infection. The antibiotics may have side effects and in some cases, they can cause diarrhea, so vets typically avoid antibiotics for diarrhea.
Antibiotics and Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea is often caused by the administration of antibiotics. This is due to the fact that the dog has good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract and when the antibiotics are administered, all the bacteria are killed. After discontinuing the antibiotic treatment, the bad bacteria will grow much faster than the good bacteria and this will lead to an imbalance and a new infection.
Antibiotics for Diarrhea
Antibiotics can eliminate diarrhea, but may also be the cause of it. For this reason, many vets avoid prescribing antibiotics for dogs with intestinal distress. If prescribed, the antibiotics should be accompanied by other means to support the good bacteria in the dog’s intestinal tract.
The antibiotics will only be effective if the diarrhea is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the digestive tract, affecting the consistency of the feces. It is important to detect the main cause of diarrhea, which can range from food allergies and intolerance to cancer. The causes of diarrhea can be established by running a few tests.
The antibiotics cannot be effective if the dog doesn’t have an infection and the treatment may also have several side effects.
The bacteria that form in the intestinal tract leading to an infection can be very resistant to antibiotics, especially if the infection occurs after a previous antibiotics treatment.
Consequently, the antibiotics prescribed for dogs with diarrhea should be powerful. At the same time, the antibiotics should be prescribed so as the dog is less likely to develop new infections as a result of the antibiotic administration.
Side Effects of Antibiotics for Diarrhea
The antibiotic treatment for diarrhea can last between 5 and 14 days, depending on the type of antibiotics administered and the severity of the infection.
The treatment often has some side effects, which may include:
- Vomiting
- Skin rashes
- Lack of appetite
- Even diarrhea
Additional Support for Dogs with Diarrhea
Dogs that get antibiotics for diarrhea should also get some immune system support, so that the dog will be able to fight off possible side effects of the antibiotic treatment, which can include diarrhea.
The dog can get omega 3 fatty acid supplements, along with other supplements that can stop diarrhea.
The supplementation of fibers and probiotics can also help colonize the dog’s intestinal tract with good bacteria after an antibiotic treatment.
A change in diet for a few days or even fasting for 24 to 48 hours may also improve the dog’s condition. The dog should eat less and preferably dry food.