Dogs are plagued with diseases that irritate people, such as diarrhea. While adult humans can get through a few days with diarrhea without worry, a dog can’t. Just like small children, when dogs suffer from too much diarrhea, their health levels are at risk. By making sure you fully understand the problems that can arise, the causes, and what you can do to help keep your dog safe.
Two types
There are actually two different types of diarrhea in dogs. The first is acute diarrhea. This is a temporary problem that is usually not caused by a serious condition or illness. Acute diarrhea is a way for the dog’s body to expel toxins from the body. When dogs eat things like grass, sticks, dirt, garbage, or table scraps, there is a chance of acute diarrhea forming. The second type is chronic diarrhea, which is something that should be brought to the attention of a vet. Episodes of chronic diarrhea can last for days and can lead the dog to a lethargic state. Causes can be food allergies, bacterial infections, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and intestinal parasites.
Treatment
Fortunately, there is a treatment available for dog diarrhea, but it includes a visit to the vet. The vet may prescribe antibiotics or other medications depending on the cause of the problem. There is also a good chance that the dog is receiving intravenous fluids due to the dehydration that normally occurs as part of the diarrhea. How long it takes for the diarrhea to clear up will depend on the type the dog had and the severity of the case. For cases that are very severe, the vet may need to keep your dog for an extended period of time to monitor the progress of healing so things don’t get worse.
Prevention
Of course, you can’t avoid everything your dog puts in his mouth because you can’t stare at him every hour or every day. But when you’re in control, such as feeding times, you want to make sure your pet gets a quality, well-balanced diet along with plenty of fresh water. Don’t feed your pet table scraps, and be sure to keep litter collected and in a safe place where your dog can’t easily break it.
Now that you have a better idea of what to watch for, what can be done to fix it, and what can be done to prevent it, you should be feeling much better. The more you know about caring for your dog and any health issues that may arise, the more enjoyable your time with your pet will be. You don’t have to worry about every little thing as long as you know the basics and know when it’s time to take your pet to the vet. When proper measures are taken when a dog becomes ill, there is an excellent chance of recovery.
