When is diarrhea an issue?
If it persists more than 1 day
OR
The pet seems otherwise unwell.
Should I rest my dog’s GI tract if they have diarrhea?
Only if acute onset—8-12 hours.
What should I feed after the 8-12 hour fast? A bland diet such as?
Specialty GI food is available at your vet office.
Boiled hamburger, venison, or boneless chicken breast, thoroughly cooked. Drain and rinse well to remove all fat/grease. Alternatively, you can use low fat cottage cheese or meat baby food. Mix 1 part of any one of those proteins with 2 parts cooked white rice.
Whatever you decide to feed you can add PLAIN canned pumpkin to their meal ONE time per day. Do not add every time you feed.
-
- Give a tablespoon to larger dogs, over 60lbs
- Give proportionally less to smaller dogs.
How much food and how often should I feed?
Feed 3 to 4 small meals throughout the day until he has normal BM’s for 3 days in a row. Then gradually, over the course of several days, start mixing his regular food into the bland diet until he is back on 100% regular food.
How long roughly should it take my dog to start improving?
24-36 hours
When is it time to see a vet?
-
- If pet is not eating.
- If you saw your dog ingest something he should not have.
- Diarrhea persists beyond 3 days.
- Pet is also vomiting.
- There is blood in the stool.
- Pet is lethargic or otherwise unwell.
- If YOU feel that it is necessary, for whatever reason.
When is it time to go to an emergency clinic?
If the above treatments have not worked, and your regular vet is not open.
If you saw your dog ingest something he should not have, and your family vet is not open.
If your dog is lethargic, has projectile vomiting, has blood in the vomit, cannot/will not stand/walk, is disoriented or there are any other symptoms that are concerning.
Is there any medication I can give my dog at home?
No