Diarrhea is a very common illness in dogs and it is highly probable that all dog owners have come to deal with this digestive disorder several times in the pet's lifetime. Although diarrhea is a prevalent canine concern, dog owners are not really too concerned with the condition of the pet as in most cases this digestive disorder is self-limiting. The dog's diarrhea is generally self-limiting as even if the owner did not administer treatment, the pet's condition will be resolved.
Passing watery unformed stools is the typical symptom of diarrhea. In spite of the soft stool, the dog would still be seen straining to defecate and at times passing only gas and not feces. The watery stool would have a different color and very bad odor.
The dog's defecation abnormality can be chronic or acute. The dog's indiscriminate eating habits oftentimes causes acute diarrhea. Anything that would fit in the dog's mouth will be ingested. Dogs would eat dirt, rotten carcasses of prey, spoiled food and their own and other animal's feces. The frequent passing of loose stool is actually the body's way of removing substances in the stomach that are not supposed to be ingested by the dog. While acute diarrhea can be resolved without treatment, chronic diarrhea is more serious and needs urgent medical attention. Chronic diarrhea can be an indication of the dog's underlying concern. Chronic diarrhea can be attributed to viral and bacterial infection, parasite infestation and other canine diseases.
Diarrhea, whether acute or chronic have to be addressed as this disorder would result to loss of essential nutrients that could have been used by the dog's body. The dog will grow weaker because of the lost nutrients and as the immune system is compromised the dog will be more prone to diseases. Recurring diarrhea can result to another life threatening condition - dehydration.
The first aid for diarrhea is to let the dog's stomach rest. This means that solid food should be withheld. For 24 hours, no food will be given to adult dogs. Water is withheld too but not for dehydrated dogs. For puppies, food should not be given for 12 hours but the owner should ensure that water is available. If the passing of soft stool has eased, the pet can be given bland foods like boiled rice and boiled chicken. This first aid treatment should stop the dog's diarrhea but of the frequent passing of soft stool persists, the pet must be rushed to the vet's for medical treatment.
Passing watery unformed stools is the typical symptom of diarrhea. In spite of the soft stool, the dog would still be seen straining to defecate and at times passing only gas and not feces. The watery stool would have a different color and very bad odor.
The dog's defecation abnormality can be chronic or acute. The dog's indiscriminate eating habits oftentimes causes acute diarrhea. Anything that would fit in the dog's mouth will be ingested. Dogs would eat dirt, rotten carcasses of prey, spoiled food and their own and other animal's feces. The frequent passing of loose stool is actually the body's way of removing substances in the stomach that are not supposed to be ingested by the dog. While acute diarrhea can be resolved without treatment, chronic diarrhea is more serious and needs urgent medical attention. Chronic diarrhea can be an indication of the dog's underlying concern. Chronic diarrhea can be attributed to viral and bacterial infection, parasite infestation and other canine diseases.
Diarrhea, whether acute or chronic have to be addressed as this disorder would result to loss of essential nutrients that could have been used by the dog's body. The dog will grow weaker because of the lost nutrients and as the immune system is compromised the dog will be more prone to diseases. Recurring diarrhea can result to another life threatening condition - dehydration.
The first aid for diarrhea is to let the dog's stomach rest. This means that solid food should be withheld. For 24 hours, no food will be given to adult dogs. Water is withheld too but not for dehydrated dogs. For puppies, food should not be given for 12 hours but the owner should ensure that water is available. If the passing of soft stool has eased, the pet can be given bland foods like boiled rice and boiled chicken. This first aid treatment should stop the dog's diarrhea but of the frequent passing of soft stool persists, the pet must be rushed to the vet's for medical treatment.
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