Wednesday 12 December 2012

Diarrhea in dogs :

Diarrhea in dogs means loose, unformed stools. Food takes about eight hours to pass through the small intestines. A normal stool contains no undigested food or blood. But with rapid transit through the bowel, food arrives at the rectum in a liquid state, unformed bowel movement. And this type of rapid transit calls diarrhea in canine.

Causes :
Dietary indiscretion is a common cause. Dogs have tend to eat garbage and decayed food, wild and ornamental plants, grass, dead birds/animals, paper,wood, plastic, many indigestible substances, food intolerance (chicken, egg, fish, spices, fats, beef, meat, etc) and many of these are irritating to the stomach and in results liquid form of stools. Even some antibiotics and medicines and circumstances, depression also can cause diarrhea.

Intestinal parasites are another common cause of acute and chronic diarrhea in both puppies and adult dogs. Hookworm, threadworms,roundworms,whipworms are the main cause for diarrhea. Kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, distemper, parvovirus, etc.

Symptom and colour :
Several small stools in an hour,with straining or 4-5 large stools in a day, weight loss, vomiting, fever, pain, lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, standing anxiously standing at the door and needs to get out quickly and when it is out it runs urgently.
Colour of stool is greenish or yellowish, black and tarry in diarrhea and some times contains blood.

Treatments of diarrhea :
Home treatment :
The most important and first step in diarrhea is to stop giving food for 12-24 hours. Do not give milk. Give fresh drinking water as much as dog wants. Consider giving canine supplemental electrolyte solution with water. After 24 hours watch condition of dog and start giving healthy well balanced home cooked diet which is low fat. Boiled chicken with soup, cooked white rice with chicken soup, cooked oatmeal, cottage cheese in chicken soup or other easily digestible foods. Give 2-3 small meals only in a day. If you are switching food to the dog, then lowly switch the diet back to the dog's normal and regular food or dog might again have diarrhea.

When you should seek veterinary doctor's clinic :
Pay close attention to dog. If diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours to dog, dog appears weak and depressed, running a fever, blood in stool, then do not waste time. Seek Vet assistance immediately. It is important to bring a sample of dog's stool veterinary doctor because it will help vet identify cause for the diarrhea.
If the case is severe or if dog has an organic disease such kidney, liver, thyroid then all can be tested through a blood test. The vet might consider to put him or her on IV fluids to put liquids back into his/her body to hydrate or vet might give medication according cause, dog's body weight, condition.
Take care of not only your pet but also strays. They desperately need your help, support, love and care.

Always remember, treat animal by experienced and qualified veterinary doctor.

Do not buy a pet, consider saving a life by adopting homeless animal from streets, animal shelters, foster homes. Save voiceless innocent lives.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

thanks

Unknown said...

There's a lot of canine diseases and ailments that take a toll on their humans. I often volunteer at our local shelter and I've seen a couple of dogs who have health problems. My sister who is a veterinarian offers her services for free for dogs who need it there. One of the common situations we have there is diarrhea in dogs. It's important that the dogs be hydrated at once to prevent serious complications, including death. How can diarrhea be prevented? See this informative link and save your dog's life: http://dogsaholic.com/care/diarrhea-in-dogs.html