Puppy/Dog have an Upset Stomach?
Read this!!
|
An upset stomach, is a common dog health problem
that can cause nasty episodes of diarrhea and vomiting in dogs leaving
the canines and their owners quite distressed. This can be even more
problematic if you little puppy loves to wander around the neighborhood
and chews on just about anything that it can find. A sudden change in
the diet, eating large quantities of food, dietary indiscretion and
mental stress in dogs can all contribute to the upset stomach problems.
While there are a number of over the counter antacids that are
available, it is best to stick to simple upset stomach remedies for dogs
to prevent any side effects of the medications. Here is a look at the
causes, symptoms and remedies for upset stomach in dogs.
Upset Stomach Causes in Dogs
Eating
inadequate, toxic, chemical or decomposed food is one of the
major causes of upset stomach in dogs. A sudden change in diet can also
worsen the problem. In addition diseases caused by bacteria, viruses,
parasites, inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and poor digestion can
also contribute to the problem. Stress and other such problems can also
trigger off an upset stomach.
Upset Stomach Symptoms in Dogs
You can identify that your dog is suffering from an upset stomach when
it displays certain symptoms. Some of the common upset stomach symptoms
include constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal pain. Other symptoms
of upset stomach in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Loose watery, and in some cases bloody stool
- Lethargy in dogs
- Persistent high fever
- Increased thirst
- Dehydration
Upset Stomach Remedies for Dogs
Restrict Food: For dogs suffering from an upset stomach, the
first rule is to restrict the food for a minimum of twelve hours. An
overnight fast gives your dog's stomach time to recover.
Bland Diet: After the period of fasting, feed the dog a bland
diet consisting of boiled rice and chicken or boiled rice and hamburger.
Chicken should be fed only after taking off the skin and make sure the
hamburger is fat free before serving it to the dog. Make sure that you
serve the food in small quantities and continue with the diet till the
vomiting subsides.
Eating Grass: No I am not bonkers. Eating grass helps the dog vomit out the food and ease the symptoms of an upset stomach.
Avoid Dehydration: The constant vomiting and loose stool increase
the odds of your dog becoming dehydrated. Fill its bowl with half water
and half Gatorade or give it some Pedialyte to replace the
electrolytes. A dog suffering from upset stomach should not be fed water
continuously. This can only make the condition worse by increasing the
vomiting. Check if your dog is getting dehydrated by lifting the lifting
the skin on its shoulder and back. If it stays firm instead of flapping
back, then you might need to consult a veterinarian for introduction of
subcutaneous fluids.
Yogurt: Probiotic yogurt and cottage cheese contains bacteria
that is quite effective in soothing the upset stomach and the irritated
intestines.
Herbal Remedies: Herbal remedies are known to be effective in
soothing the disgestive system and restore its balance. Some well known
herbal remedies include plantain, Podophyllum and Alchemilla vulgaris.
While plantain is great for animals in hot weather, the others are
suitable for animals suffering from upset stomach in hot weather.
While most mild cases of diarrhea and upset stomach can be cured in a
few days with these simple upset stomach remedies for dogs, remember
that the vomiting and other symptoms can be the result of something
serious. These serious issues can result in persistent symptoms which
are extremely difficult to treat. So if the symptoms do not subside in a
few days, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian.
|
|