Diarrhea is so common that it is actually considered the number one most common condition according to Petplan. This digestive issue can happen for a wide variety of reasons, and is actually quite preventable. Anything from a virus to parasites to an allergic reaction or a poisoning can cause a pet to suffer from this condition. Pets can even develop this digestive issue from certain types of cancer. Still, most often an animal has diarrhea after eating something that doesn't agree with his system at all.
Diarrhea is also a common side effect of some pet medications, such as antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and heart medications. Some pets even develop diarrhea when they are excited or stressed. If your pet has this symptom, then you will want to determine if it is the symptom of an underlying condition or is the condition itself. After determining this, you will want to consult a veterinarian for solutions.
If your pet is simply suffering from diarrhea because of an upset stomach, then the most common recommendation is to switch your animal to a bland, digestible diet. You may want to pet your animal on a prescription diet from your veterinarian, or may want to opt for a homemade recipe such as plain white rice and boiled chicken. When symptoms finally subside, you can gradually switch your animal back to regular pet food.
Our vet may also have a medication in mind for you to give your animal to help alleviate any nausea or upset stomach. Sometimes diarrhea is a symptom of excess gastric acid production or gastrointestinal inflammation. Pet owners should also be careful when switching their pet's diet, as doing this too suddenly can upset the animal's stomach. If a pet has been eating a particular for years, and is suddenly switched to another food, then this can cause stomach irritation which will lead to this stinky symptom.
If your pet's diarrhea appears to be medicine related, then you will want to take your animal to the vet and request an alternative medicine if possible. You may just need to get a variation of the medication that your pet is taking. If the problem is recurring, then you may want to ask your veterinarian to look deeper into the issue to make sure that there is not an underlying problem. According to pet medical experts, if a pet has had diarrhea for over 24 hours, then this can indicate something more serious than a simple stomach bug and your pet may need a check-up. This may indicate the presence of a parasite in your dog's system that is causing digestive complications.
Continuous diarrhea can cause a pet to become dehydrated, which can then lead to other serious illnesses. If your pet's stool is bloody, dark, or tarry, then there may be more to the illness than it appears. You may need to take your pet in to make sure that the animal has not been poisoned or that there is not something else going on. Whenever your animal has diarrhea, do all that you can to make sure that your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. Sometimes, it may be best to add a probiotic powder to the animal's water, or choose a food that has probiotic powder in it.
Interestingly enough, another digestive remedy for dogs is canned pumpkin. If you purchase a can of 100% pure canned pumpkin (this is not the same as pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with sugar and spices) this can help soothe your pet's digestive system. Call al local vet if you need more information about digestive issues with your dog or cat!