The article is written for educational purposes. The following recommendations are intended for those who, due to circumstances, are not able to contact a veterinarian immediately.
So, if the puppy has diarrhea (diarrhea), try to determine the causes. There may be many:
- disturbances in feeding (stale foods, change of food, intolerance to any ingredient, eating fatty or smoked foods, overeating);
- the presence of parasites (sometimes they go out with stools);
- bacterial diseases, toxins (Clostridium, Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter, etc. - infection occurs when contaminated feed, water, feces are eaten);
- viral infections (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, rotavirosis, coronavirus);
- fungal and protozoal infections (giardiasis, coccidiosis, histoplasmosis, etc.);
- drugs (can irritate the mucosa, causing dysbiosis: antibiotics, aspirin, insecticides, etc.);
- metabolic disorders;
- pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis);
- gastroenteritis;
- allergy;
- stress.
It is impossible to determine exactly whether the puppy has viral diarrhea or bacterial, according to the symptoms alone it is impossible: the signs are identical. With frequent loose stools, especially in combination with vomiting, rapid dehydration occurs, which entails the death of the animal. That is why, having noticed a puppy’s diarrhea, consult a doctor without hesitation.
Diarrhea in a dog. Treatment
Do not feed the dog for 12 hours, providing it with water (fresh and clean) - let the digestive system rest and cleanse. If you are sure that the dog has been poisoned by food, give her rehydron or atoxil (use and dosage on the package). Note that vomiting is possible when using atoxil. Do not be alarmed. So the drug cleanses the body, adsorbing toxic substances and thus removing them. If pain reactions and cramps are observed, you can give half a no-spa tablet, after an hour - another half. With the onset of improvements, you can feed the puppy (after 12 hours). Doses should be small, and food should be easy to digest. At first, you can give boiled rice, finely chopped boiled lean beef (chicken), low-fat cottage cheese.
Typically, a puppy's diarrhea stops in a short time and after a couple of days you can gradually return to normal nutrition. Introduce new products gradually. Observe the reaction to them: it is possible that some of the products does not suit your dog exactly, which causes the puppy to have diarrhea. Eliminate this product from the diet altogether. It can be, for example, milk. At a certain age (each puppy individually), enzymes (enzymes) that promote the digestibility of milk (break down lactose) cease to be produced, which ultimately causes diarrhea in the puppy.
However, if diarrhea cannot be stopped, if you observe lethargy, loss of appetite (or its complete absence), if vomiting is opened and the temperature rises, and the feces become dark, with blood (or bloody mucus), consult your veterinarian. It is very likely that the puppy has a viral disease and the count here is not even for days, but for hours.
In this case, a full examination will be needed: blood tests - general and biochemical, feces, urine, x-ray of the abdominal cavity, etc.
And already based on the results of the tests and knowing the diagnosis exactly, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment.
Prevention
It is impossible to prevent diarrhea in the puppy. However, like an adult dog. However, the risk of the disease can be reduced.
- get vaccinations on time;
- do not let the dog lift something off the ground;
- do not change the diet abruptly;
- do not feed leftover food from your table (especially smoked meats and foods containing fat);
- do not give your dog foods that have once led to an upset stomach;
- feed your dog a well-digestible and nutritious food (if you feed with balanced foods, then choose premium and super-premium foods from well-established manufacturers with expired shelf life).
- carry out deworming on time;
I remind you once again: the proposed treatment is suitable only for first aid and to alleviate the condition of the dog. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor. Do not delay the visit. Procrastination can cost a puppy life.