Dog Diarrhea

Most dog owners think of diarrhea as a messy nuisance, and then put it out of their thoughts as quickly as possible.

But in order to avoid unpleasant clean-ups, its best to know a little more about the causes of this common problem. And in some cases, dog diarrhea is a symptom of a much more serious underlying condition. The better informed you are, the more likely it is that you will know exactly how to react when faced with dog diarrhea.

Dog Diarrhea Causes

Dog diarrhea may be caused by an inflammation of the small intestine, the large intestine, or both. The potential causes of this inflammation span the gamut from dietary indiscretions to life-threatening problems requiring immediate treatment.

Thats why it makes sense to think of dog diarrhea as a symptom rather than an illness in and of itself.

In Dog Diarrhea Causes, I explain the differences between acute and chronic diarrhea as well as how to distinguish between small intestine and large intestine diarrhea, as your dogs symptoms provide clues to the location of the inflammation. You will also find an extensive discussion of the most common causes of the acute and chronic forms of dog diarrhea.

Dog Diarrhea Treatment

Most instances of dog diarrhea involve the acute, uncomplicated form of the ailment. Perhaps you switched to a new dog food too quickly or your dog raided the garbage, and now you are dealing with a case of acute dog diarrhea.

Fortunately theres no need to call your vet every time your dog is having loose bowel movements.

Most cases of acute dog diarrhea can be treated at home and Dog Diarrhea Treatment explains how to do just that.

From liquid fasts and bland diets to herbs and supplements, you will learn how to take care of your dogs diarrhea at home. I also provide a list of symptoms indicating that your dogs diarrhea may be more than a minor gastrointestinal disturbance, so you will know when its time to call your vet.

IBD Symptoms

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the more common causes of chronic dog diarrhea. The disease is the result of inflammatory immune system cells infiltrating the intestinal lining where they induce chronic inflammation and a gradual thickening of the intestinal wall.

Symptoms vary depending on which part of the GI tract is inflamed, but chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are common.

IBD Symptoms discusses the symptoms we expect to see based on the location of the inflammation.

I also provide a general overview of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs, including a discussion of what causes IBD and the typical diagnostic process, which is both expensive and time-consuming.

This is because while we may suspect IBD based on the symptoms presented, there are many other conditions producing similar symptoms that must be ruled out.

IBD Treatment

Because inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from a dysfunctional immune response in the gastrointestinal tract, treatment of IBD often involves immunosuppressive drugs. Unfortunately long-term treatment with immunosuppressants can have potentially serious side effects, so it is always preferable to control symptoms with diet and supplements.

In IBD Treatment, you will learn about all three treatment options, and the rationale behind each. I discuss dietary therapy for IBD followed by a look at the most effective supplements for maintaining dogs without immunosuppressive drugs.

Finally, you will learn about the different types of drugs your vet may prescribe if diet and supplements alone are inadequate to control your dogs symptoms. Even if drugs are initially necessary to get the inflammation under control, it may be possible to gradually lower the dosage down to zero once your dog is in remission.

Dog Food Fot Dog Diarrhea

There is no such thing as one dog food that is right for every case of dog diarrhea.

Dog Food For Dog Diarrhea examines dietary options for dogs with chronic diarrhea resulting from IBD and other gastrointestinal disorders.

What should a dog food for dogs with chronic diarrhea consist of? How do dietary recommendations differ for large intestine versus small intestine diarrhea? What types of solutions are available for dogs with difficulty absorbing fats? Should dogs with chronic diarrhea eat high protein or low protein diets? What about carbohydrates, grains, and starch digestion? When are high fiber versus low fiber diets indicated?

These are just a few of the issues I will address. I will also examine the different types of prescription diets available for dogs with gastrointestinal disorders, and I will briefly discuss how to select a commercial dog food or prepare a homemade diet for a dog with chronic diarrhea.

Entero-Chronic

Entero-Chronic is a promising new treatment for IBD and other chronic inflammatory intestinal disorders that was developed in Spain and is now widely available throughout Europe. I have begun using it in my clinic and am encouraged by the results.

Entero-Chronic exerts a localized anti-inflammatory effect, but unlike anti-inflammatory drugs that exacerbate damage to the intestinal lining, Entero-Chronic helps to repair and strengthen the bowel lining.

Additionally, it promotes a healthy microbial balance in the GI tract by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria while suppressing the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and preventing the latter from attaching to the intestinal wall.

In Entero-Chronic, I elaborate on the nature of this new treatment, explaining what it consists of and how it works. With no adverse side effects to speak of, I believe that Entero-Chronic has great potential as an IBD treatment for dogs, whether as a standalone alternative to immunosuppressive therapy or as a supplementary treatment.