by Jo.H

Created on: April 03, 2008   Last Updated: February 26, 2010

As a veterinary nurse I have seen my fair share of diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by many things from worms, to the dog eating something bad. In most cases it is not serious but there are a few symptoms to look out for and always seek veterinary attention if you are in doubt.

Check that your dog is not dehydrated. Dehydration can actually be more serious than the diarrhea itself, especially in puppies. To check if your dog is dehydrated pull up a small piece of their skin on the back of their neck. It should ping back straight away. If it stands up in the 'pinch' shape for one second then your dog is showing signs of dehydration.

KEEPING YOUR DOG HYDRATED.

There are several products on the market that contain electrolytes to rehydrate your dog. They usually come in powder form and are added to the water. If for some reason you cannot get a shop bought product try mixing one teaspoon of glucose, to two teaspoons of salt in a litre of water. Mix this into your dog's water at least three times daily.

FASTING

Most cases of diarrhea are the dog's way of ridding itself of bacteria in the gut. So to help the dogs body through this it is advisable to with hold food for up to 24 hours. This gives the dog's gut time to empty and it won't have to process new food.

If your dog is not looking any better after 24 fasting then always seek medical attention. Your vet will probably prescribe antibiotics to clear any infection but the fasting will still have helped.

KNOWING WHEN TO FAST OR WHEN TO SEE THE VET

If your dog just has diarrhea but no other symptoms I would always suggest fasting first. In the majority of cases this will clear it up and save you a vet bill. However if your dog shows any of the following symptoms do not hesitate in consulting your vet.
1, The dog appears disorientated.
2, The dog is shaking or fitting.
3, The dog has a temperature (feel the ears for a rough guide).
4, The dog is lethargic.
5, The dog is panting heavily (often a sign of pain as well as being hot).
6, Any other symptom that concerns you.

AFTER THE FASTING.
Your dog's stomach will be tender and needs to eat something gentle for the first few meals. Boiled rice and chicken make a very gentle meal that is easy to digest. You can also try oxtail soup but make sure it doesn't contain onions or that will cause more diarrhea. Once the dog is digesting soft food for a few days without it causing further diarrhea you can slowly change back to the dog's normal diet. Don't make any sudden changes though as that can upset their stomach as well.

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