Experienced owners of four-legged pets know firsthand that their pets suffer from diseases no less than people. One such trouble is diarrhea, which can bring a lot of trouble. Let's discuss the reasons for diarrhea in a dog and the various ways to treat it.
Dog diarrhea - causes
There are a lot of reasons for this condition to start with your animal. The most common among them are:
- the use of stale, spoiled food;
- intolerance of feed components;
- allergic reaction;
- viral or fungal infection (rotavirus, adenovirus, lambliasis, histoplasmosis, coccidiosis, etc.);
- presence of parasites;
- metabolic disorders;
- kidney or liver disease;
- intestinal obstruction;
- internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines;
- pancreatitis ;
- hemorrhagic gastroenteritis;
- use of drugs or toxic substances;
- stress in the animal.
Diarrhea in dogs is always dangerous, because it can lead to dehydration of the body and a violation of the electrolyte balance. Therefore, be sure to visit the veterinary clinic for diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea in an animal.
Dog diarrhea - treatment
The first thing the doctor will examine the animal and ask about the nature of its feces (color, consistency, the presence of impurities in the form of mucus or blood). If a dog has elevated body temperature, decreased appetite, weakness and lethargy, and vomiting , vets are usually advised to take tests for a complete clinical examination of the animal. This will help to identify the true cause of the disease and make a correct diagnosis.
Of the general recommendations for treatment, all doctors prescribe a fasting for 12-24 hours, while the dog needs to be provided with fresh drinking water. Then, easily digestible food is introduced into the diet (boiled chicken or beef, rice, potatoes, fat-free cottage cheese). If the animal's stool is normalized, it can be gradually, within a few days, transferred to a traditional diet.
In addition to diet, it is also prescribed symptomatic treatment. This may be infusion therapy (droppers) in case of intoxication of the animal's body, antibiotic therapy (if a bacterial infection or hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is detected), as well as the use of adsorbents and drugs that protect the intestinal mucosa.