Diarrhea in Dogs & Cats

Diarrhea squirts from the butts of thousands of pets over the holidays. You can try to treat it yourself if your pet:
· has no fever,
· is eating,
· is drinking, and
· is acting with usual enthusiasm.

Treating diarrhea
Here are the steps to control diarrhea if your pet falls victim to the squirts:
1. Give easy-to-digest food (broth and mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes, or broth and rice run through the blender).
2. Feed small amounts often (every few hours) rather than large amounts twice a day.
3. Give probiotics, such as Immediacare GI.
4. Keep the bottom clean by spraying gently with a hose in the bathtub. Don’t scrub inflamed skin around the anus, but use the hose to clean the area. Then, apply a small amount of soap, massage and clean the skin, rinse three times longer than you think is necessary, and blot dry. If the anus or bottom is red, apply zinc oxide (baby diaper ointment) or Burt’s Cuticle Cream, or an herbal cream with calendula as a barrier to further harm. Never put cream on a dirty bottom.

If the diarrhea doesn't stop
If the diarrhea doesn’t clear up within 24 hours, or your pet develops a fever, stops eating or drinking, or becomes listless, see your vet. Take a stool sample with you. The vet will check the stool for bacteria and parasites. An antibiotic may be prescribed. IV fluids may be started. Your pet may be prescribed Carafate, which coats the stomach, and you may need to stop pain medication given for arthritis.

Overeating causes most diarrhea cases
Usually holiday diarrhea is caused by overeating that can be entirely prevented by feeding properly. If you don’t like diarrhea, don’t cause it. Your pet is counting on your discretion to keep it healthy. No extra fat. No extra gravy. No bones unless it routinely eats bones. Have fun in ways other than eating.

Hallelujah, the holidays are coming, we’re going to have dogs in the White House, and you’re going to have a healthy pet!