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If dog diarrhea persists for more than two weeks, it is classified as chronic dog diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea in dogs is less common, but more severe than acute dog diarrhea.
A case of chronic dog diarrhea requires a to the vet. You should put on hold all the home treatments and consult with a veterinarian as to how to carry on with the medication.
Chronic Diarrhea Causes
Chronic diarrhea in dogs is caused by certain food allergies. It is possible that your dog had developed intolerance to a certain food type, leading to stomach upsets and eventually, a prolonged case of diarrhea.
Other than food intake, dogs may also develop chronic diarrhea due to certain health conditions such as pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Parasites in the intestines may cause chronic diarrhea as well. Examples of such parasites are whipworms, coccidia, and roundworms. Bacterial infections coming from giardia and clostridium bacteria may also be the culprits. Furthermore, there are cases wherein fungi and protozoans had caused the disease.
Chronic Diarrhea Symptoms
The symptoms of chronic diarrhea are almost the same as acute diarrhea. Dogs would have watery stools that are often times coated with blood and mucus. It may also happen that the dog's bowels will seem normal for a time, only to become watery again.
Chronic diarrhea may come and go. Your dog may feel better today but be lethargic on the next. If your pet's diarrhea had never ceased or keeps coming back for a period of several weeks, it is best that you take your pet to the veterinarian for proper assessment and medication.
Other symptoms of chronic dog diarrhea include weight loss, rough hair and coat, lack of energy, and dehydration.
Some breeds of dogs can withstand the effects of diarrhea. This means that they can still perform their everyday routines without showing any signs of sickness. If your dog seems okay but has watery stools for quite a long time now, you still have to take it to the vet for consultation.
Chronic Diarrhea Treatment
Pet owners are advised against treating chronic dog diarrhea on their own. This is because of the fact that when it comes to chronic diarrhea in dogs, most conventional medicines are rarely effective.
Furthermore, wrong medications may lead to further damage of the intestines, leading to many other health concerns. The first step to treating chronic dog diarrhea is proper diet. Dogs with chronic diarrhea should be fed with a bland diet or foods that are very easy to digest. Certain nutrients, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and immune boosters may be added into the dog's meal for further protection.
The role of antibiotics is going to be very important here. Oftentimes, vets combine antibiotics with corticosteroids and other immune suppressive medicines to speed up the recovery process. Holistic approach may also help, but only if recommended by qualified dog health expert or veterinarian.
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