Dogs, much like their human owners, can have bouts of upset stomach or diarrhea. While it is not always a cause for alarm, diarrhea can be associated with health problems or require a veterinarian check-up. In dogs, diarrhea is an important sign of intestinal diseases and can be followed with other symptoms such as severe vomiting. Give your dog plenty of water at home, to prevent dehydration.
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Bland Diet
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Place your dog immediately on a bland diet and remove regular dog food. A bland diet can be made from fully cooked rice and boneless meat such as chicken breast or lean hamburger. Cottage cheese or plain yogurt can also be given. Mix the cooked ingredients in a bowl or blend in a food processor for a finer texture.
Pepto Bismol
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Pepto Bismol is a human medicine that can be given to dogs to decrease diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. Pepto Bismol comes in liquid or table form; tablets should be quartered. Check with the veterinarian for proper dosage amounts, based on the weight of the dog. For picky dogs who do not take medication, hide the quartered tablet in a small piece of cheese. Do not give to dogs that are allergic to aspirin or other salicylates.
Calling the Veterinarian
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A veterinarian should be called if there is persistent diarrhea, as it could suggest a health problem. The veterinarian would run a fecal sample test to see if underlying parasites were a cause. Decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, or blood in stool are some of the other symptoms to watch for and would require a veterinarian visit. Serious conditions would require blood tests, a full physical exam and x-rays.
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