Canine diarrhea is both a highly common and also a potentially serious symptom. Dog diarrhea treatment varies widely according to the situation, but always attempts to treat the symptom by addressing the underlying medical condition. In all cases, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of an underlying intestinal problem or disease, and canine diarrhea never occurs on its own and without explanation.
Causes of Dog Diarrhea
The most common cause of canine diarrhea is food-related intestinal upset. If your dog's diet changes or if he eats an unusual food, such as table scraps from a human meal, his digestive tract may not be able to process it. Short-term diarrhea is the result. In many cases, diarrhea that is brought on by intestinal upset will resolve itself within a day or so. However, monitor your dog carefully to make sure that his symptoms don't worsen.
Chronic diarrhea in dogs is a more serious matter. Diarrhea lasting even a few days may cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and more serious medical concerns like exhaustion or even death. Additionally, diarrhea lasting for more than two days usually indicates a more serious underlying health concern. If your dog has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, take him to a veterinarian for an examination.
Preventing Canine Diarrhea
In many cases, carefully controlling your dog's diet will significantly reduce his risk of developing diarrhea. Refrain from feeding your dog rich or fatty foods and scraps from your own meals. If you do change his diet, do so gradually over several days by mixing in successively larger portions of the new food with his previous diet. If he develops diarrhea during this process, consider feeding him white rice and a light protein like chicken for a few days until his stool returns to normal.
Canine Diarrhea Treatment
Canine diarrhea treatment depends heavily upon the source of the symptom. For cases of intestinal upset, your veterinarian will likely recommend a short period of fasting followed by a simple diet of rice, chicken and other foods that are easy to digest. You may gradually revert to your dog's standard diet.
Diarrhea may also be caused by digestive parasites. An anti-worm medication or anti-parasitic may be necessary. In some cases, a change of diet may also help to relieve the symptoms.
In more severe cases, for which the risk of dehydration and exhaustion are especially high, a veterinarian will begin by connecting an intravenous line to moderate your dog's fluid levels. Following stabilization of electrolytes and rehydration, your veterinarian will conduct further tests to determine the source of the diarrhea and how best to proceed.
In all cases of diarrhea, make sure that your dog has plenty of water to drink. Monitor his behavior carefully, and check his stool regularly. If his diarrhea does not subside within 24 hours, and especially if diarrhea is accompanied by unusual lethargy, vomiting or other symptoms, take your dog to a veterinarian with a detailed history of the symptoms. Prompt dog diarrhea treatment is essential to ensuring a return to your dog's normal, healthy lifestyle.