Treating Your Dogs Diarrhea
When your dog is experiencing diarrhea, it’s always a good idea to check with your vet to find out how to proceed. Since many cases of diarrhea are mild, your vet may give you a course of treatment to try on your own at home. If diarrhea continues, a veterinary checkup to evaluate your dog’s health might be in order.
Color of The Diarrhea
One of the best indicators of your dog’s gastrointestinal health is the color of your pup’s poop. In general, doggie bowel movements should be chocolate brown in color. This indicates the normal digestive function, a healthy digestive tract, and overall good health.
Yellow or orange stools typically indicate a liver, pancreas, or gallbladder issue. Green-colored poop could mean that your dog is eating a lot of grass, which also could indicate a problem with the gallbladder.
Waste with red streaks usually indicates bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract — those red streaks are blood. Equally serious are tarry black or dark-red stools, which is a sign of bleeding in the small intestine or stomach.
If you notice any colors in your dog’s waste beside the normal brown shades, it’s important that you call your vet. Your pet might need veterinary attention, and the sooner he or she gets it, the better.
It is important to understand that diarrhea in dogs can take several forms. Stools can range from abnormally soft to watery. Other clinical signs may be present such as straining while defecating, gas, abnormal odor, or blood and mucous in the stool. Many cases of diarrhea are self-limiting, but others require treatment.
It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian if your dog has diarrhea. Your veterinarian may want to see your pet or at least do diagnostic testing on the feces to determine the best treatment. Since some parasites and bacteria can also cause disease in humans, it is important to check for them. In mild cases where the dog is acting normal otherwise, withholding food for 24 hours may be sufficient. If however other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, depression, or pain accompany the diarrhea then prompt veterinary attention is needed.
Vet Guide | Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
It’s one of the most unpleasant aspects of your canine companion’s health and care: dog diarrhea.
Diarrhea is common among dogs. It’s very likely that your pooch will experience an episode of diarrhea at one point or another. There are many possible reasons why diarrhea may occur, and not all diarrhea is created equal. Understanding why diarrhea might happen is the first step toward getting your dog help if it’s needed.
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