Diarrhea Dog Medicine

Overview

All dogs have diarrhea occasionally caused by a minor infection. It should stop after a day or two. Simply withhold food overnight and then feed a simple meal such as chicken and rice.

If your dog's diarrhea is bloody, is accompanied by vomiting or you see a change in behavior such as dullness or depression you should call and visit your veterinarian immediately.

There are some viruses that cause diarrhea, such as the parvo virus, that your dog should be vaccinated against. Make sure you get your dog his vaccinations every year. These are serious illnesses that can be fatal.

Diarrhea in dogs is often caused by parasites. If you have to take your dog to the vet due to diarrhea, take a stool sample with you. You only need a few spoonfuls. Your vet can check the stool for the presence of parasites such as worms. If worms are present, a de-worming agent is prescribed.

In addition to giving diarrhea dog medicine, your vet will treat your dog for dehydration if necessary. Subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids may be needed. If diarrhea has been particularly severe or going on for a long time, your pet's electrolytes may be out of balance, and then IV fluids with electrolytes would be needed. In addition, if your dog is vomiting as well as having diarrhea, medication (anti-emetics) can be given to stop the vomiting.

Diarrhea Dog Medicine - Prescription

• Anti-motility Drugs: Diarrhea dog medicine, such as anti-motility drugs, relax the small intestine which in turn slows down bowel movements. These types of drugs may be prescribed if your dog has diarrhea that doesn't stop on its own. These drugs slow down the movements of the intestines so that more water will be absorbed and stool will be less watery.
  
  
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics will be prescribed if your dog has a bacterial infection. Antibiotics should be used with care, because they can kill "good bacteria" if they are not really needed. Often diarrhea is caused by a virus rather than a bacterial infection, and antibiotics won't do any good against a viral infection. In this case, instead of diarrhea dog medicine, supportive therapy is given.

Diarrhea Dog Medicine - Human Medicine

Check with your veterinarian before giving your dog medicine meant for humans.

• Pepto-Bismol: Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, so aspirin sensitive dogs should take Kaopectate instead. Give a dose of 5 to 1.5 ml per pound orally every 12 hours
• Kaopectate: - to 1 ml per pound (or 1 to 2 teaspoons per 10 pounds) every 4 hours

Diet for Canine Diarrhea

If your dog isn't vomiting and the only symptom is diarrhea, you can try a dietary change to home cooked foods:

• Broiled or boiled hamburger
• Chicken and rice

Try it for several days. Follow this link for our dog diarrhea home recipes. Keep your dog on this diet until back to normal.

Natural Canine Diarrhea Medicine

The philosophy of natural herbal remedies is to select herbs that restore balance to the various systems of the body. Many herbs have a long history of helping with digestive health. PetAlive makes a natural remedy containing herbal and homeopathic ingredients which are carefully selected to maintain digestive balance, firm stools and healthy bowel functioning.

Discuss this option with your veterinarian so they can track progress.

Sources

When Your Pet Has Diarrhea
Sarah Probst

Treating Acute Diarrhea and Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs
McCluggage, David DVM

Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Dunn, T. J. Jr. DVM

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