What and How of Dog Diarrhea Infection and Treatment

Do you know that more than 70% of Dog owners experience a diarrhea dog within their first three months!
But the real reasons of diarrhea: the causes and the different varieties are known by fewer dog owners.

Diarrhea is usually evident when there is excessive water content in the feces. Its an important sign of intestinal diseases in the dog. It causes extreme fluid loss, which usually leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances.

When there is acute diarrhea, a sudden onset and short duration (three weeks or less) of watery or watery-mucous diarrhea. Occurs, Occasionally the fecal material is also smeared with blood.

General Causes of Diarrhea

1. Changes in Dogs' diet without ascertaining whether its proper for age and breed, eating inappropriate food/material are immediate causes. Dietary indiscretion include the eating of spoiled food, overeating, the ingestion of foreign material, and/or sudden changes in the diet.
Acute diarrhea may also follow ingestion of a food that contains substances that are poorly tolerated by the gastrointestinal tract of the dog.

2 Infectious agents - bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoa, parasitic infections

3. Some of dogs' Drugs and toxins in and around your dogs' food.

4. Intolerance of materials in the normal diet of your dog

5. An obstruction in the Dogs' intestine,, intestinal parasites (e.g. roundworms, hookworms, whip-worms) are a common cause of acute diarrhea, especially in young. Dogs De-worming is a sure first step. But when diarrhea persist the Vet is usually required.

6. Dietary Changes. This is especially a problem with young puppies. You are required to find out what your puppy was on before you brought him in and what is best for him. It is necessary to always make gradual transition from any old diet to a new one. Make sure you handle this well to avoid intolerance in your dog.

7. Underfeeding and overfeeding your doggy are two possible causes for diarrhea. Self-feeding, which means that dogs chooses to eat when ready a full dish is adopted by most owners. When you do this with dry food, cases of diarrhea becomes rare.

8. Dog drinking too much water is another possible reason for diarrhea in dogs.

What to check for in cases of occurrence of diarrhea in Your Dog

Although most cases of acute diarrhea are short-lived and self-limiting, there are some cases that require diagnostic testing to confirm an underlying cause.

Such tests include:

1. A complete history and physical examination of your dog.

2. Fecal studies to test for intestinal parasites. Various or multiple exams are run, as some parasites are difficult to diagnose.

3. A complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate for infection, inflammation, anemia and dehydration.

4. A biochemical profile to help evaluate kidney, liver function and electrolyte status

5. A urinalysis to evaluate kidney function and the hydration status of the pet.

Treatment In-depth

Diarrhea in your dog is a symptom that is caused by many different diseases or conditions.
And to treat him you have to ascertain the immediate causes. Usually a Vet is required in acute cases.

The following dog diarrhea treatment will reduce the severity of signs and offer relief to your pet:

These include the following::

1. You may withhold food and thereby help to place his intestinal tract in a state of physiologic rest.
This is an important aspect of the therapy for acute diarrhea in dogs. Restricting food intake in your pet completely for between 12- 24 hours allows the intestinal tract lining to start to heal.

2. Food is then usually reintroduced, gradually. Starting with a bland, easily digestible, low-fat diet, served in small amounts and served frequently to him will assist his digestive system. Examples of such diet include boiled chicken or beef, boiled rice and potato. Prescription diets may also be administered for cases of acute diarrhea. Vets are in position to assist in this regard. This is fed for several days, and then he can be served the usual.

3. Fluid therapy may be necessary in some dogs with acute diarrhea. Dehydration and acid-base balance are restored by replacing lost electrolytes during the bout of diarrhea.

4. The Use of Antibiotic for cases is not usually required but on can be administered on Vets advice.

5. De-worming is often recommended in most cases.

6. Intestinal protestants and adsorbents (medications that coat, soothe and protect the lining of the intestines) may also be helpful. This is used under your Vets advice.

If your dog has diarrhea, what can be done

1. Give only prescribed medications by your Vet.

2. Provide fresh water or oral dehydrating solutions to help prevent dehydration.

3. Temporarily change the diet to something bland. These diets can be made by you at home or prescription types can be obtained from your Vet.

4. Watch closely your dogs' general activity and appetite, Check for the presence of blood in the stool, worsening of signs, or the onset of vomiting.

5. Have your pet examined by your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Normally, the best treatment for your dog requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Once the diarrhea has been resolved, keep your dog on a consistent, balanced diet. Restrict access to garbage and other things that can cause diarrhea. Your dog's health is of utmost importance. So keep him fit, healthy and thus prolong his life.