Diarrhoea or diarrhea and vomiting are common occurrences among pooches. However, a single episode of diarrhoea or vomiting isn’t something to be overly concerned about. You usually discover that your hungry hound has just wolfed down something that he shouldn’t have eaten and now he’s paying the price by regurgitating. Diarrhea occurs when your dog’s body attempts to process the food quickly just to be rid of it.
However, you do need to be concerned when these symptoms persist for more than a day. Diarrhoea and vomiting could be signs or symptoms of an underlying illness or worms. Your dog could have ingested toxic food such as rodent bait, resulting in food poisoning.
You will need to check your dog for any signs that his physical condition has changed. A good place to start would be checking to see if his eyes are still bright and alert. Verify that your dog isn’t listless or running a temperature, as veterinary attention should be given in these cases. Do take some time to observe what your dog has vomited or defecated to check for unusual materials and odd colour. If your dog shows signs of discomfort and strains himself as he defecates, check to see if the stools contain traces of blood or appears to be full of mucus, as these would need a vet’s advice.
Your dog might still appear perky, but it is unusual for symptoms to persist beyond a day, so do get your vet to check him over to see what’s ailing the dog. This would also help prevent the symptoms from worsening. If it is simply something he shouldn’t have eaten then the vet can prescribe some medication to help stop the diarrhoea and vomiting. You will also be advised on your dog’s water and food intake to compensate for the loss of mineral salts and possible loss of hydration in your dog. Dietary restrictions on your dog are usually implemented for the next two or three days. Food that is low in fat and easily digestible is usually advised to avoid undue pressure put on a already weakened digestive system.
On the other hand, if your dog is plagued by worms or other internal parasites, your vet will prescribe treatment to expel them and set up a treatment routine to help to prevent their recurrence. Dogs tend to love to explore and can pick up these parasites from other dogs’ or from other dogs’ faecal matter. Another possible reason for diarrhoea or vomiting could be due to an allergic reaction. The vet would also be able to determine if your dog developed an allergy to something he’s eaten or come into contact with, resulting in an adverse violent reaction.
Should your dog be suffering from a serious ailment; investigation, treatment and good nursing care will be necessary. If your dog is very weak due to repeated purging, he will be placed in overnight care at the surgery for intravenous therapy to maintain hydration. Tests will be conducted to establish whether your dog is harbouring viruses or bacteria that may affect his liver or his digestive system.
The longer your dog suffers, the greater the possibility there will be for the situation to worsen. When in doubt, always get veterinary advice as soon as possible.
