Dog Health by LowchensAustralia.com

Dog diarrhoea is one of the most common health conditions pet owners experience. In most cases, the diarrhoea can be traced to indiscreet eating habits – foraging through a garbage can or ingesting spoiled foods or non-food items. When this happens, the dog diarrhoea is usually resolved in a day or two and poses no long term problems. However, when your canine has frequent bouts of diarrhoea, a more serious condition may exist and a trip to the veterinarian is recommended, especially if the diarrhoea is accompanied by vomiting or there is blood in the stool.

Here are some of the common causes of diarrhoea in dogs:

• Intestinal parasites - Parasites such as Giardia are nearly always present in the intestinal walls of puppies and dogs and generally do not cause problems in healthy dogs. However, when the parasite invades a sick, malnourished or stressed dog, they inhabit and reproduce within the intestinal lining cells and disrupt the function of the cell lining The result of Giardia can be severe diarrhoea or excessive gas.
• Antiobiotics – The overuse of certain antibiotics can alter or destroy the beneficial bacteria and yeast that live in the intestinal tract. When this happens, unwanted bacteria are able to flourish and crowd out the healthy bacteria. The result is an overabundance of bad bacteria and toxins which can lead to diarrhoea and other GI disorders.
• Bacteria – Salmonella, clostridium and E.coli are bacterial strains that can alter normal intestinal flora by rapidly reproducing thus crowding out the healthy bacteria. The bacteria also produce toxins in their waste which causes watery diarrhoea in dogs.
• Intestinal Worms - Roundworms can obstruct the intestine and cause cramping and loose stools.
• Indiscriminate Eating Habits – Garbage bags containing rotting and decaying food, meat and poultry bones, diapers and other organic material food is like dinner at a four star restaurant for many dogs. The bacteria and toxins that the dog ingests can cause severe diarrhoea, cramping and inflammation of the intestinal tract.
• Diet - Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can upset the balance of healthy bacteria in the GI tract.
• Other causes of diarrhoea include food allergies, stress, enzyme deficiencies, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal viruses.

What you can do to help your dog with diarrhoea

A 24-hour fast or liquid-only diet is your first step to helping resolve dog diarrhoea. This gives the digestive tract time to flush itself out and begin healing. During this time, encourage your dog to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Vegetable or meat broth may be introduced within a day to replace the water, sodium and potassium sometimes lost during bouts of diarrhoea. 

Probiotics are often recommended by veterinarians to replenish the beneficial bacteria that can get out of balance when your dog has diarrhoea. Amino acids and medicinal herbs can help heal the intestinal lining which often becomes inflamed and damaged when a dog has chronic diarrhoea.

Natural Treatments for Dog Diarrhoea

The holistic approach to treating dog diarrhoea is to restore the GI tract so that it is functioning properly. The following nutrients help heal the GI tract and support healthy bowel function:

• Lactobacillus sporogenes - A probiotic that has been shown to help treat diarrhoea caused by bacterial overgrowth.
• L-Glutamine - An amino acid which supports the intestinal cells.
• Slippery Elm – A well-research herb that provides soothing protection for the mucus membranes of the intestinal tract.
• Saccharomyces boulardi - A beneficial yeast that helps improve intestinal functions.
• Boswellia - Helps to reduce bowel inflammation.

Gastriplex  is a nutritional supplement that was formulated by veterinarians to treat dog diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal disorders, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The nutrients in Gastriplex help to heal the intestinal tract so that your dog has fewer episodes of diarrhoea.

For fast relief from occasional dog diarrhoea, Runipoo Relief is a natural remedy containing herbal and homeopathic ingredients that promote healthy bowel functioning and firm stools. 

Gastrigen is a Chinese herbal formula that helps dogs with chronic vomiting, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease. 

For more information about treating dog diarrhoea with natural pet care products, visit Holistic Pet Information (www.holisticpetinfo.com). We carry high quality nutritional supplements, Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies for dogs and cats from names you can trust – Thorne Research, Vetri-Science, NaturVet, and PetAlive. 


Julie Andrus
Holistic Pet Info
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