Dog Diarrhea
"Dog diarrhea has a number of causes ranging from infection, ingestion of foreign objects, food allergy, food intolerance (inability to digest) and parasites. The key to treatment is to remove any underlying cause and restore balance to the digestive system through dietary change. Usually a simple diet of chicken and rice will help. If symptoms don't improve after 24 hours or if diarrhea is frequent see your veterinarian to avoid dehydration and for a complete diagnosis."
The dog health guide is a complete resource for understanding the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of canine diarrhea. Quick Links to information on Canine Diarrhea Control Dog Diarrhea Common Causes of Canine Diarrhea Problems with the Pancreas Diarrhea due to Enzyme Deficiency Diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Disease
Small and Large Intestine Problems Viral Causes Parvo virus Illness as a cause of dog diarrhea
Dog with Diarrhea Symptoms Gray Color Yellow Color Vomit Color Vomit and Diarrhea Together Symptoms of Intestinal Causes of Diarrhea
Treatment of Dog With Diarrhea Canine Diarrhea Over the Counter Human Medication Pepto-Bismol Kaopectate Immodium
Dog Diarrhea Diet Chicken and Rice Diet Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics Natural Medicine

Dog diarrhea caused by canine salmon poisoning. Diarrhea often stops after the toxins have been eliminated from the body Source: WSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Dog Diarrhea Problems
Canine diarrhea is a symptom of many diseases and is a reflection of a problem in the way your dog's body is absorbing nutrients. When this system becomes out of balance due to an infection, illness, allergy, parasites or medication that your dog doesn't tolerate well, the body reacts with diarrhea.| Dog Diarrhea Guide |
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| Dog Diarrhea Problems | Possible Cause | Action | | More than a few drops of Blood in Diarrhea | Possible serious illness or intestinal disease | Visit Vet ASAP | | Diarrhea and vomiting | Poisoning, Parvo, Illness | Visit Vet ASAP | | Change in Behavior such as depression | Illness | Visit Vet ASAP | Combination of:* Stomach pain * Weight loss * Stomach Rumbling * Vomiting * Gas * Dehydration * Changed appetite * Dark bloody stools * Low levels of protein in the blood (Hypoproteinemia) * Fluid buildup in the abdomen (Ascites) * Fluid buildup in the tissue such as swelling in the legs
| Small Intestine Problem | Change diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. See Veterinarian | Diarrhea - including mucus, bright red blood * Constipation * Increased frequency of defecation * Difficulty deficating or urinating (Tenesmus) * Inability to defecate without pain or difficulty (Dyschezia) * Vomiting * Weight loss | Large intestine disease | Change diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. See Veterinarian | | Diarrhea only symptom | Mild Infection, allergy, food intolerance | Change diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. If recurs see Vet. | | Dog Yellow Diarrhea | Food Intolerance, Eating of non-digestible object | Hold food for 24 hours. Change diet to chicken/rice after 24 hours. Plenty of water. If recurs or doesn't stop after 24 hours see Vet. | | Black Feces | Bleeding or irritation in the digestive tract | See your veterinarian to be checked for serious disease | | Light colored feces | Liver problems | See your veterinarian | | Grey feces with strong odor | Calm digestive system. Withhold food for 24 hours. Provide water. Use chicken/rice diet. |
Approach to Dog with Diarrhea Treatment
Most veterinarians will begin treatment by checking your dog for parasitic causes of diarrhea. If this is ruled out then they move on to dietary change.Dietary change begins with switching your dog's current diet to a commercially available hypoallergenic diet to see if food allergy is the cause. This type of diet can also be prepared at home. Many vets suggest a commercial diet that contain hydrolyzed proteins since this type of protein is absorbed better into the body. Most dogs do well with this type of diet and will respond in one week to 10 days. If this doesn't help, medications are prescribed that help with canine diarrhea caused by issues such as colitis. Usually this involves the drug metronidazole and an increase of fiber in the diet. Other choices include antibiotics to fight any bacterial infection (metronidazole, tylosine, tetracycline). If this doesn't work then additional testing is done including blood tests, examination of the digestive system and biopsies of the intestines. After ruling out other causes your veterinarian may indicate that your dog as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD). Treatment for this condition includes several weeks of prescription corticosteroids. If it works the drug is slowly decreased in dose over time. If diarrhea is a persistent problem and all of the above has been ruled out, then it might make sense to try restoring balance to your dogs digestive system such as PetAlive. Ingredients include Plantago major (Plantain), Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) and Podophyllum (6C), all known for helping to restore normal stools. Discuss this option with your veterinarian.
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Vet Responses to Reader Questions
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Chicken Rice Diet for Dog Diarrhea?
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I am surprised to see that so many suggest chicken-rice diet in cases of dog diarrhea. Chicken and beef are the greatest allergens with dogs. I have a ...
Sources
How I Treat Chronic Canine Enteropathies - Old and New Options F.P. Gaschen School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University
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