What are the Treatments for Dogs' Gastrointestinal Problems?

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are common in dogs. The potential causes of GI issues are numerous, so a visit with your veterinarian is often in order. Any dog displaying symptoms of a gastrointestinal problem for more than 48-72 hours should be examined by a veterinarian.

  1. Determine the Cause

    • Before treating the symptoms of your dog's gastrointestinal problem, you must determine the cause. In cases of severe diarrhea or vomiting, especially those with blood in the stool, a visit to the veterinarian is essential.

    Cause: Intestinal Parasite

    • Some intestinal parasites can only be detected with a microscope, so a visit to the veterinarian is essential.

      The most common causes of GI problems in dogs are internal parasites (tapeworms, roundworms, etc.). A veterinarian can test for parasites and prescribe the appropriate dewormer. If you see evidence of parasites in your dog's stool, you can buy dewormer at your local pet retailer. Be sure to follow the dosage guidelines and treatment schedule to ensure that all parasites are killed.

    Cause: Virus

    • GI problems caused by viruses are often fatal if not treated by a veterinarian.

      Parvovirus, distemper and coronavirus can all cause severe gastrointestinal problems, especially in puppies and dogs that have not had full vaccines. These three viral infections are usually fatal if left untreated, so a trip to the veterinarian is critical.

    Cause: Bacteria

    • Bacterial infections can cause GI problems for dogs.

      Occasionally, dogs will develop bacterial infections in their GI tracts. Bacterial infections will often cause bloody diarrhea and loss of appetite. If you suspect your dog has a bacterial infection, you will need to get antibiotics from your veterinarian.

    Cause: Unsavory Edibles

    • Dogs will eat almost anything, including garbage, discarded food and other unsavory edibles. If you know (or suspect) that your dog has eaten something he shouldn't, you should be able to soothe the GI upset at home, as long as the eaten item is not toxic.

    A Calming Diet

    • Regardless of the cause of your dog's gastrointestinal problems, you may need to switch to a bland diet to calm the GI tract. Withhold food until the diarrhea and vomiting decrease, then feed a bland diet of boiled chicken, plain white rice and canned pumpkin until the gastrointestinal problems subside.