How to Cure Dog Diarrhea

Dog owners are complaining every day about their dog having a bout with diarrhea. Loose watery stools along with abnormal frequency are some of the signs of dog diarrhea you need to watch for in your pets.
Diarrhea that originates from the large and small intestines is called colitis. Acute dog diarrhea usually lasts less than 2 days and originates in the small intestine. Don’t panic if you see some blood in the stool as it is not uncommon. During this time your dog might lose his appetite and his stool may turn brown or reddish brown in color.
Diarrhea in dogs may be caused by many factors – parasites, bacteria, water, virus, or a change in diet. Eating spoiled food from garbage cans is also a sure way to develop the disease.
If you happen to see a loose stool followed by a normal one, parasites are probably the culprits. In this case you need to find out what parasite is causing the problem. Consult your veterinarian and have your dog’s stool checked under the microscope. This will tell you if diarrhea is caused by worms and if so, what kind.
As young puppies get more severely affected by the disease, diarrhea in young puppies can easily become life threatening if not treated in a timely fashion. If you notice any signs of diarrhea, make sure you seek help from your veterinarian immediately. Loose watery stools can cause dehydration in young puppies in as little as a few days.
Here are the most common questions your veterinarian will likely ask you in order to cure dog diarrhea:
Are you giving milk to your dog? Has your dog eaten any garbage or a dead animal? Has your dog been wormed lately and a stool checked by the veterinarian? How long has this problem been going on?
By giving your dog a thorough health exam, the veterinarian will determine if it is a serious health problem or something less life threatening. Acute dog diarrhea can usually be cured in a few days under the care of your veterinarian.
In some extreme cases you may be asked to withhold food for a few days and provide a stool sample to help diagnose the problem. You should, of course, give water to your dog during this time in order to prevent dehydration.
After having your dog examined by a veterinarian he may tell you to feed three to six smaller meals per day. Furthermore, a highly digestible diet will be recommended, such as chicken and eggs, rice, cottage cheese etc. You must stay away from diets that include milk, sugar, cereal, and pet bones.
Following your veterinarians instructions to the letter is the key to curing dog diarrhea and getting your pet back into tip top shape.
Article Source: http://www.howy.org/