What Are the Treatments for a Dog With Diarrhea?
Your dog may develop diarrhea for many reasons, such as eating the wrong thing, overeating, sudden change in diet, stress, or overexertion. Diarrhea may also be from more serious issues including parasites, disease, cancer, pancreatitis, bacterial overload or parvovirus. Often diarrhea is short-term and you can easily treat your dog at home. If signs of more serious issues are present, or if home treatment does not help within 48 hours, it is important to take your dog to a veterinarian.
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Fasting
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The most important step in overcoming simple diarrhea is to stop feeding your dog for 24 hours. Your dog may be hungry and beg for food, but even a small amount of food will not allow its intestines to rest. Make sure water is available for your dog.
Bland Diet
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After fasting for 24 hours, a bland diet of simple rice and chicken is important. Cook rice and skinless chicken separately. Add one part chicken to two parts rice and feed small amounts in four to five small meals a day for at least three days after the stools return to normal.
Returning to Normal Food
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When the stools are firm again, begin adding in no more than one-fourth of his kibble to the rice and chicken mixture. After three days, if the stools continue to be firm, raise kibble to one-third of the food fed and reduce meals to three times a day for three more days. Next, move kibble amount to one-half of the mixture, then full kibble after three more days. If the stools soften at any time during this process, decrease kibble amount or return to just rice and chicken for a few more days.
Over-the-counter Medications
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There are human medications you can give your dog to help control diarrhea. The normal dosage for Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and liquid loperamide is 1 ml per pound of weight. Pepto Bismol, maximum 1 tbs., can be given every six hours. Imodium (loperamide), either liquid or 1 pill, is given once every eight hours. Kaopectate is given every two to four hours for up to four doses. Over-the-counter brands made specifically for dogs are also available. Ask your vet for the correct dosage for your dog.
Probiotics
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Probiotics, or healthy bacteria, are helpful in restoring your dog's intestinal balances. This is especially helpful if the diarrhea is from antibiotics, but can help with diarrhea from all causes. Probiotics come in powder, gel, liquid and pill forms.
Veterinarian Treatment
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Sometimes home treatment is not recommended. If your dog has explosive or bloody diarrhea, is lethargic, straining to go to the bathroom, has bloated abdomen, won't eat or is dehydrated, take it to the vet immediately. You can check for dehydration by pulling up on the skin on your dog's back. If it stays pulled up, your dog may be dehydrated. If the diarrhea is severe your vet may treat for infections, give anti-diarrhea prescriptions, or even hospitalize your dog and give IV fluids and drugs.
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