Puppy diarrhea is a messy, scary prospect. Most dog owners will experience this dreaded ailment at one time or another. Often, cases of puppy diarrhea are mild and resolve themselves. But they can be life-threatening. Make sure to always consult with your vet if your puppy experiences diarrhea, and read on to learn more about how to effectively treat it.
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See Your Vet
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Get a diagnosis. This will often be the key element in curing your puppy's diarrhea. Some causes of puppy diarrhea only respond to specific treatments. Also, since puppies can dehydrate into critical condition very quickly, visiting your vet may well save your puppy's life. Parvo is one just one serious cause of diarrhea in puppies, along with a whole slew of parasitic infections, like giardia or coccidia. Sometimes, the cause of the upset tummy may be mild, like stress or a change in diet. But it's always better to be safe than sorry. Your vet can do a stool culture, prescribe antibiotics, and even give an IV, if needed.
Antibiotics
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Some types of puppy diarrhea will respond only to the proper antibiotic. Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl) effectively treats anaerobic bacterial causes of diarrhea, such as giardia, as well as inflammatory causes like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Ask your vet about keeping a supply of this antibiotic on hand, as it can prove to be a lifesaver on trips when your puppy gets an upset tummy. Albon, on the other hand, is the treatment of choice for coccidia.
Diet
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Choose your puppy's diet wisely. Some foods just don't agree with certain puppies, with the end result being diarrhea. If your puppy has issues off and on, consider switching to another food until you find one that agrees with him. Just remember: Abrupt food switches can lead to diarrhea in and of itself, so always change gradually. During an episode of diarrhea, try feeding your puppy cooked hamburger and rice. If your puppy can't absorb this, you'll need to cut off food for the day. Always remember to give your puppy plenty of water though, and even Pedialyte, chicken broth, or other electrolyte-replacement liquid, since the biggest threat from diarrhea is deyhdration.
Supplements
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Tackle the diarrhea with supplements. Adding 1/4 cup of canned pumpkin is a favorite cure among dog breeders for mild diarrhea in their dogs. Also, try adding a little slippery elm to help soothe your puppy's digestive tract. Finally, adding daily fish oil capsules or other sources of omega 3 fatty acids to help resolve GI tract inflammation.
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