When the family pup has diarrhea, the problem can be dealt with by altering diet, the application of some familiar over-the-counter remedies or, in the worst of cases, a trip to the veterinarian. From pumpkin to prescriptions, restoring a beloved pet to good health can be easy.
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Home Remedies
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Treating your dog&'s diarrhea can be as simple as switching to a bland diet. Rice and chicken are some of the more popular options for a restricted diet, and sports drinks or an oral electrolyte solution can help to keep away dehydration. Canned pumpkin is another homeopathic remedy because it is rich in fiber. (see reference 2)
Over the Counter
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Surprisingly, vets often recommend the same over-the-counter medications for dogs that people use; bismuth subsalicylate, or pink bismuth, at a dosage of one ml for each of your dog&'s ten pounds, three times a day, is a common treatment. This does contain aspirin, though, so for aspirin-sensitive dogs, loperamide is preferred.
At the Pet Store
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Your local pet store will have many offerings, from pectillin, which uses kaolin and pectin to absorb toxins and soothe the gastrointestinal tract (by coating gastrointestinal membranes) to electrolyte supplements. These cost more than pink bismuth and sports drinks; some anti-diarrhea medications can cost upwards of thirty dollars in 2010.
Prescription
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If the above remedies do not work, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your vet can prescribe any number of medications depending on the underlying cause of the diarrhea. Metronidzole, which is an antibiotic and antiparasitic drug, is fairly common.
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