INTRODUCTION: Dogs are very prone to vomiting and diarrhoea due to their unfussy eating habits. They frequently eat carrion or spoiled materials and get “food poisoning”. Dogs with simple gastro-enteritis may have profuse or frequent diarrhoea but will be bright, looking for food, drinking more water and not showing other signs of illness.  The majority of simple diarrhoeic complaints in the dog resolve quickly if the patient is managed correctly.

DIETARY REST: Dogs with diarrhoea have an inflamed bowel and cannot absorb nutrients from their food. If fed, undigested food will pass straight through the bowel and promote further fluid loss. Dogs with diarrhoea should be starved for 24 hours to allow this inflammation to subside before feeding is started.

HIGH DIGESTIBILITY DIET

 Many dog diets are very high in meat protein (especially the premium brand tinned dog foods) and can be difficult for a dog with tummy problems to digest. It is best if the dog’s normal food is stopped. A home-cooked diet that contains no meat protein is much better:

1.5 cups cooked rice

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cooked egg

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

a little salt.

The above diet contains approx 700 calories. It should be fed in 4 or more small meals daily equal to about 50% of the dog’s daily food intake. After 2 to 3 days, the dog’s normal food can carefully introduced.

WATER: dogs with diarrhoea may vomit in the initial phase of a gastro-enteritis. Thereafter, dogs with diarrhoea should not repeatedly vomit. Make sure water is always available and give as frequent small drinks. If repeated vomiting or regurgitation of water occurs, seek urgent veterinary attention. Electrolyte solutions promote better absorption of fluid from the bowel and help to prevent dehydration as well as producing a firmer motion. Your vet may prescribe oral electrolyte solutions for dogs with profuse diarrhoea.

MEDICATIONS: May be prescribed by a vet. Kaolin products can be useful gut sedatives and can be given at a total dose of one teaspoon/5Kg bodyweight divided into 3 daily doses. Tablets can be given to relax the bowel and increase the dog’s comfort.

PROBIOTICS: Dog’s with diarrhoea frequently lose their beneficial gut bacteria that help to protect against disease. This can cause chronic diarrhoea or a relapse after the dog has appeared to get better. Probiotics are bacterial cultures that help to re-colonise the bowel with beneficial bacteria. We recommend a product called Protexin that has a mixture of bacteria suited to the dog’s bowel and has the bacteria coated to survive passage through the stomach acid. It works much better than natural yoghurt and should be given in the food for at least two weeks after any acute diarrhoea. If problems persist after this time probiotic supplementation should be continued for at least a further two weeks using another manufacturer’s brand of probiotic.

SEVERE DIARRHOEA

While the simple measures outlined above will resolve simple diarrhoeic complaints quickly, veterinary attention should be sought immediately if:

q       The patient becomes depressed or unresponsive

q       Persistent vomiting occurs

q       The patient loses interest in food

q       The patient’s gums become dry or pale

q       The regurgitation of large amounts of water occurs

q       The patient is either very young or very old or has a history of kidney disease

q       Large quantities of blood appear in the motion

Dogs with severe diarrhoea need hospitalization and restoration of any fluid losses by intravenous fluid therapy (an i/v drip). Failing this, dogs with severe diarrhoea can develop irreversible shock or kidney failure.

We will frequently take stool swabs from severe cases for culture. We commonly find infection with the bacteria Campylobacter or Salamonella. Specific treatment for these diseases may be required.