Remedies for Dogs with Diarrhea and Vomiting

Dogs can have diarrhea and vomiting for a variety of reasons. While the condition may be brought on by mild gastritis due to a change in diet or the ingestion of garbage, it is important to rule out more serious problems. Vomiting and diarrhea can be the result of intestinal parasites, bacterial or viral infections, poisoning, tumors or an intestinal obstruction. Consult your veterinarian before administering any kind of remedy or treatment.

  1. Diet

    • Withhold your dog's food for 24 hours to allow its digestive system to rest. Water may be given frequently but in small amounts, according to the Doctors Foster &Smith website. When you resume feeding your dog, offer small quantities of a bland diet. The Well Vet website suggests boiled chicken or hamburger mixed with cooked rice, baked potato or cottage cheese. If your dog is able to eat without a recurrence of vomiting or diarrhea, slowly increase the amount of bland food, and then gradually return to its normal diet. If you determine that your dog became ill because of sensitivity to a certain food or foods, a permanent change in diet may be necessary.

    Metronidazole

    • Metronidazole is a treatment for giardia, a type of intestinal parasite that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Giardia is diagnosed by a veterinarian through a fecal flotation exam or with the aid of a microscope. The Doctors Foster &Smith website notes that diagnosis is difficult and may require fecal samples over a period of several days. You must bathe your dog to remove the parasite from its fur. In addition, you must sanitize your dog's bedding and surrounding environment to reduce the risk of re-infection, which is common.

    Wormer

    • A hookworm infection can result in vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, anemia and tarry stools. Worms are diagnosed through a fecal flotation exam and must be treated with a wormer to eliminate them. Puppies are more at risk for getting worms than older dogs, and multiple wormer treatments may be needed to eradicate the infection, according to the Doctors Foster &Smith website. Decontamination of your dog's environment is also important to prevent re-infection. If your dog is dehydrated, intravenous fluids may be necessary.

    Antibiotics

    • For cases of bacterial infection, such as salmonella or E. coli, antibiotics are necessary. Diagnosis is made by fecal culture or examination of feces under a microscope, and blood tests may also be required for diagnosis. The Doctors Foster &Smith website notes that these types of infections are most common in young dogs that are kenneled or have a suppressed immune system. Your dog may require intravenous fluids if it's dehydrated. Antibiotics are also used for viral infections, such as parvovirus and distemper, to prevent the development of secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately, the prognosis for distemper is poor.

    Surgery

    • Surgery is often necessary for tumors, such as lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, as well as for intestinal obstructions. Chemotherapy may also be administered with or without surgery for tumors, which are diagnosed through an intestinal biopsy. An X-ray, ultrasound or barium series is used to detect a foreign body or intussusception, which is a life-threatening condition in which one part of the intestinal tract telescopes into the adjoining tract.