7 Common Causes And Cures For Doggy Diarrhea

There are a variety of causes for diarrhea in dogs. While some can be quite serious – like certain cancers and diseases of the liver, pancreas or heart – most are relatively harmless if treated promptly. The following 7 factors could account for your dog’s loose stools. Luckily, there are tried and true methods for treating each issue and restoring your pup to full health. Note: Holistic veterinarian, Dr. Ihor Basko recommends that all dogs with diarrhea undergo fecal testing prior to being given an antibiotic or dewormer to ensure these drugs are truly necessary. A fecal flotation can reveal if your dog has been exposed to parasites and a culture can reveal if abnormal bacteria is present so antibiotic treatment can be targeted to the specific pathogen. Dr. Basko feels that any dog experiencing diarrhea, regardless of the cause, should be given a probiotic to replenish the “good” bacteria in the gut and kill off the “bad”. He also encourages a prebiotic-rich diet to battle dehydration and help re-balance the GI tract. His recipe and instructions can be found here. 1. Dietary Indiscretion Image Credit: Flickr/OtterBox The Cause: Dogs will put almost anything in their mouths, snatch...