Introduction
At Arden Grange, we handle many enquiries from concerned owners of dogs suffering from diarrhoea. Whilst this is not a particularly nice subject, it certainly one that needs addressing as loose motions are not only unhygienic and unpleasant to clean up for us humans, they can be very uncomfortable for the dog.
Long-term diarrhoea can result in an imbalance of the body’s electrolytes, an imbalance of the gut bacteria, dehydration, weight loss and overall poor bodily condition because the nutrients taken into the body are not digested, absorbed and metabolised to their full potential.
The most common mistake that we see is people trying to treat the symptoms only rather than the root cause. Sometimes more than one causative factor may be at work. Treating the symptoms may help to alleviate any discomfort and diminish the signs of a problem, but in many cases, the problem will recur unless the actual cause is established and dealt with.
Definitions:
Diarrhoea – an increased frequency and volume of faeces usually associated with loss of consistency
Haemorrhagic diarrhoea – diarrhoea containing blood which may be bright red (fresh blood) or dark (from higher up the intestinal tract – see malaena)
Haematochezia – normally formed faeces with fresh blood present
Steratorrhoea – the presence of excessive fat in the faeces giving a greyish colour and greasy appearance
Malaena – dark coloured or black, tarry faeces containing blood – a serious indicator of disease – seek veterinary advice at once if observed
Colitis – inflammation of the colon (usually characterised by loose and / or voluminous faeces containing mucous and / or fresh blood)
Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach (usually characterised by vomiting, but diarrhoea may also be present)
Possible Causes of Diarrhoea
There are numerous possible causes of diarrhoea. These include those that are usually easily resolvable such as over-feeding, changing over to a new diet too quickly without giving the dog’s digestion opportunity to adapt to the new ingredients or nutrient balance, or the ingestion of something naughty. Stress is frequently a cause of loose stools, and even if it not the primary cause, it can certainly make matters very much worse.
Infectious causes may include:
- Bacterial infection – e.g. campylobacter, salmonella
- Viral infection – e.g. parvovirus
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Parasitic causes may include:
- Worm infestation – e.g. roundworm, tapeworm
- Protozoal parasites – e.g. giardia, salmonella
Clinical causes may include:
- Irritable bowel disease
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (typically stools are yellowish in colour)
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Intestinal foreign body
- Neoplasia (cancer)
- Intussuseption (the sliding or telescoping of the intestine within itself; any faecal material that is passed is jelly-like, may be bloody, and not well formed although vomiting is usually more symptomatic)
- Protein losing enteropathy
Adverse food reactions may include:
- True food allergy or hypersensitivity
- Dietary intolerance (e.g. garbage intoxication)
*You may wish to request our Arden Grange fact sheet covering the subject of adverse food reactions should this be suspected.
Other causes may include:
- Excessive food intake
- Stress
This is by no means a definitive list. Sometimes more than one causative factor may be at work.
Getting to the Bottom of the problem… diagnosing the condition
Many bouts of diarrhoea will clear up after a few days with careful dietary management. In prolonged cases however, or those where other symptoms are present (particularly vomiting), or if the dog is looking unwell or has abdominal discomfort (he will often adopt a “praying” position) – immediate veterinary attention must be sought.
At the initial examination, the vet will be able to palpate the dog’s abdomen (i.e. feel for any abnormalities) and take the dog’s temperature; a raised temperature is frequently indicative of an infection.
Faecal sampling is particularly helpful. This can rule out infectious bacterial causes of diarrhoea such as salmonella and campylobacter. These nasties do not respond to the routinely prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics used for less serious infections. Faecal analysis can also detect worm infestations and protozoal parasites such as giardia and isospora.
Blood tests may also be very beneficial in achieving a diagnosis. Tests may include the TLI test, cobalamin, folate and bile acids. Abnormalities against the normal parameters may aid with the diagnosis of conditions such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, disease of the small intestine and bacterial overgrowth.
Other very useful diagnostic techniques may include endoscopic examination, sonography and gut biopsies. Blood and faecal samples are relatively easy to obtain, so it is often the case that your vet will carry out these non-invasive procedures first, and if necessary, undertake more complex procedures afterwards in order to help to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Treating the problem
As an initial recommendation for firming up loose stools, vets would often suggest starving the dog for 24 hours (making sure that plenty of fresh water is always available). A more recent approach suggests that although this gives the digestive tract some resting time, dogs do actually benefit from continued nutrients in order to promote a speedier recovery and are better not being starved. Experienced dog owners will have their own tried and tested methods, and will choose what works best for their own particular pets. As we know, all dogs are different with their own unique genetic build, digestion and rate of metabolism. Following fasting (or not, as the case may be), it is often beneficial to commence small frequent feeds of either a bland prescription diet or home-cooked chicken (or fish) and rice. Smaller meals mean less work for the digestive tract to do at any one time. Frequent feeds help to keep the digestive enzymes ticking over and improve the gut efficiency. An inexperienced dog owner should always seek veterinary advice. Whilst a bland diet and time are often successful, this is usually only the case in mild infections where the body’s immunity is sufficiently effective to battle the causative bacteria successfully or in situations where the digestion has been only mildly compromised.
In addition to feeding small, frequent meals, there are a number of other helpful measures that may be taken at home. These include :-
- Sticking to a trusted hypoallergenic feed such as Arden Grange that you know usually agrees with your dog’s digestion (avoid the common food allergens – wheat gluten, beef, soya and dairy products)
- Ensuring that the dog is weighed and that the feed volume is not excessive
- Avoiding any treats or titbits until the problem is resolved, especially those containing artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives (or substitute with a hypoallergenic alternative)
Adding an electrolyte solution to the drinking water – to help replenish electrolyes lost through diarrhoea
Recipe for Home-Prepared Electrolyte Solution
1) Take 4 pints of boiled water (cooled)
2) Add 1 teaspoon salt
3) Add 4 teaspoons of sugar
4) Stir until dissolved
5) Serve at body temperature or cooler if preferred
Note: Do not add more than the recommended quantities of sugar and salt
Never withhold water – ensure fresh drinking water is always available
- Adding probiotics to help to restore the friendly bowel flora (preferably a non-dairy product)
- Using a safe nutritional supplement to help to form a protective lining on the gut mucosa (e.g. Diarsnyl or Canikur which are available from vets)
- Adding a good proprietary brand of digestive enzymes
Long-Term Digestive Health
The digestibility of your dog’s food is crucial in maximising his long-term health and vitality; particularly after a bout of diarrhoea. The Arden Grange range is over 90% digestible, contains only A grade ingredients that are easily metabolised and used within the body and is concentrated (to avoid overloading the gut’s capabilities).
The Arden Grange range also contains a number of safe and natural nutrients to optimise canine health. There are a number included that may be particularly useful in helping to improve your dog’s digestive health following a bout of diarrhoea. All of the products contain the prebiotics MOS and FOS, which are included to promote beneficial intestinal flora and help to limit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. These may also help to enhance immunity within the gastrointestinal tract and improve the utilisation of the nutrients. Also included are nucleotides, which are proteins derived from yeast (to promote both optimal digestion and efficient immunity).
Hypoallergenic & Naturally Preserved
All Arden Grange products are hypoallergenic, and free from wheat gluten, beef, soya and dairy products. They are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) and rosemary extract, and do not contain any added sugar or salt, artificial colourings and flavourings or genetically modified ingredients.
Arden Grange pet foods are not tested on animals – guaranteed.
