[ SHOWGSD-L ] Diarrhea
- From: MORGAN LEWIS <shadowland22000@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: rawfeeding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, gsd showlist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, PF-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 11:57:39 -0700 (PDT)
Hi MORGAN LEWIS,
.
thought this was worth reading; so many owners become really upset about
diarrhea, yet it is very common and USUALLY non life treatening. Morgan
Well?... It is diarrhea. I know that this is not a pleasant subject, but it is
so common that I believe all that all pet owners should know what to do if your
dog has an on-set of diarrhea. So please take a minute to read this e-mail so
you know what to look for and what to do.
Let's get started...
A quick medical definition for diarrhea is a sudden onset and short duration
(three weeks or less) of watery or watery-mucoid diarrhea. Occasionally the
fecal material is also overtly bloody.
Diarrhea results from excessive water content in the feces and is an important
sign of intestinal diseases in the dog. Diarrhea can affect your dog by causing
extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances,
and/or acid-base imbalances.
Diarrhea is a symptom that can be caused by many different diseases or
conditions, and specific treatment requires a diagnosis.
Common causes of diarrhea include:
1. Dietary indiscretion can include the eating of spoiled food, overeating, the
ingestion of foreign materials, and/or sudden changes in the diet.
2. Intestinal parasites (e.g. roundworms, hookworms, whipworms) are a common
cause of acute diarrhea, especially in young dogs.
3. Bacteria and bacterial toxins (Salmonella, Clostridium, Campylobacter,
Escherichia coli, Yersinia, etc.) may cause acute diarrhea and may be
contracted from contaminated food and water, or exposure to the fecal material
of other infected animals.
Although most cases of acute diarrhea are short-lived and self-limiting, there
are some cases that require diagnostic testing to confirm an underlying cause.
This will require that you take your dog into see you vet or to the Emergency
Room.
How much will going in to see the vet for a dog with diarrhea cost you?
Anywhere from $100 - $300+ depending whether they do fecal studies, complete
blood count, radiographs and other diagnostic tests.
.
The good news, is that in many cases the prognosis for cure of self-limiting
diarrhea is very good. When the diarrhea begins you should feed a bland diet,
made from a boiled lean meat (chicken, hamburger or turkey) mixed 50/50 with
boiled white rice. Do not use any additives such as butter, salt, garlic, or
seasoning. Over a couple days, you can slowly decrease the bland diet and
increase is regular food until he is back on his normal food.
If the dog that has diarrhea acts lethargic, weak, the diarrhea has blood or
vomiting begins, the recommendation is to have the dog evaluated by a
veterinarian
P.S. - Once the diarrhea has resolved, keep your dog on a consistent, balanced
diet and restrict access to garbage and other things that can cause diarrhea.
If your dog's diarrhea has failed to respond to the management outlined, it may
require more extensive diagnostics. You should have your dog reevaluated by
your veterinarian.
P.P.S. - Vomiting and diarrhea are very common and in the best of cases can
cost hundreds of dollars in office / ER visits or thousands if there is a more
serious underlying condition.
Morgan and His Angels
Precious, OFA
Princess, CGC, TDI, GSDCA Health Award
"RAW" fed, No Vaccinations
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