Diarrhea in Dogs
Diarrhea, the frequent passage of watery motions, Isa symptom and not a disease in itself, and, if possible, the cause should be tackled first. In certain illnesses (such as hard-pad) diarrhea is simply part of the pattern of disease and, as such, is treated specifically but it is often due to other causes - food, worms, indifferent hygiene, for example. Although dogs caveat putrid meat with apparent quantity, and suffer no obvious harm, its ingestion wills often cause diarrhea. This applies equally to cheap and inferior biscuit meals, some brands of dried meat, stale biscuit, bad fish and poor and tainted food generally.
Diarrhea in puppies is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in many kennels, but any owner who regards it as normal and of no significance is wrong. A properly reared puppy may have occasional looseness but it should not have Diarrhea. When it exists, in spite of first-class conditions and care, the cause may be bacterial and can be remedied by giving certain drugs acting in the intestines. Food for puppies should always be fresh and of excellent quality - no contaminated meat, for instance. The youngsters should not be fed on or near sawdust or straw as if these substances get into food they are frequent causes of Diarrhea. Do not give large, sloppy meals.
Diet for puppies is a big subject and is fully dealt with in The Popular Guide to Puppy-Rearing.’ Sudden change to a different kind of food can cause diarrhea and this often happens at weaning time, when the change from the mother’s milk to other foods is made too quickly. Worms are another cause, particularly when the puppy looks emaciated in spite of plenty of food. The Diarrhea is usually frothy when these internal parasites are responsible.
Puppy kennels should be kept scrupulously clean and excreta removed at once if possible. Overcrowding, stuffy conditions, lack of exercise and fresh air can predispose to diarrhea. Leaving on one side disease and harmful bacteria as possible reasons, the owner should ask himself just why his dogs or puppies have Diarrhea, and not regard it as a perfectly normal happening. Although referring mainly to puppies, these remarks are equally applicable to adults.
Diarrhea occasionally results from mental upsets—for instance, when a dog has been on a long journey for the first time - but these cases are very transitory. Sometimes Diarrhea assumes an epidemic character and all or most of a kennel may be affected. This may be due to outside causes for example, bad meat eaten by all the dogs - but in other cases it is a matter for the veterinary surgeon, who should always be consulted when the Diarrhea is not due to any ascertainable cause. It is advisable to take the temperature of an affected dog or puppy, particularly when there is also depression or other signs of malaise. There is usually a slight rise when an infection is the cause.
Prevention of this troublesome condition is of prime importance and 75 per cent of the cases seen in kennels would be unnecessary with proper care and feeding and good management and hygiene.
Treatment will, of course, depend on the cause. When it is tainted food, a dose of castor oil is a safe preliminary and this may be sufficient to cure a mild case. Otherwise, a careful diet should be started, consisting mainly of milk thickened with arrowroot or corn flour and rice with milk. Do not give meat, fish, eggs, biscuits or glucose. Donor experiment with invalid foods which might aggravate the trouble, and remember that brown bread and whole meal generally, is relaxing, so better avoided. When the animal is definitely ill, and there is weakness and prostration, Brand’s Essence is excellent.
Drugs are not usually necessary in mild, uncomplicated cases, although kaolin and charcoal is useful standby, and Chlordane is often successful in obstinate cases, but as this drug can be very dangerous in amateur hands it should be given only with veterinary approval. As and milk are given, a mild case will make a speedy and complete recovery. Previously mentioned, when the diarrhea is bacterial in origin there are specific drugs obtainable from the veterinary surgeon, or on prescription, which act directly in the intestines. Do not be persuaded by a chemist into giving patent medicines or proprietary Diarrhea powders of any kind.
Continue with the diet advised for two or three days at least, longer if necessary. Never be in a hurry to return to solid fare; the intestines must have a chance to recover and resume their normal tone by a bland, soothing diet. Make the return to a normal diet in gradual way via baked custards, white fish boiled in milk, etc., and if there is any Diarrhea go back to the strict diet immediately. Even when ordinary fare is resumed be very careful; the sudden inclusion of rich and unsuitable items, such as herrings, can renew the whole trouble.
Many cases of Diarrhea do not need such an elaborate and strict diet, and if fish is given instead of meat, and two or three additional meals of arrow root.