There will always be a need for vets. That idea, plus my huge love of animals, has led me down the path of becoming a veterinarian. I have not graduated from my course yet, but the reason behind this blog is to share my learning journey. I intend to write blog posts on subjects like the veterinarian education path, my thoughts on whether to be a general or specialist vet and how I wish to use alternative treatments like acupuncture in my practice. If you too have a love of animals and want to make this your job, then my blog will be interesting to you.
Understanding Dog Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is one of the most common reasons why pet owners take their dogs to the veterinary clinic. Most of the time, dog diarrhoea is caused by simple issues such as a slight change in diet or something they ate that they shouldn't have. However, there are times when the loose stool could have a serious underlying cause, and when you are not quick to get them to a vet, they could suffer a lot. Here is what you need to know about dog diarrhoea, and when to see a veterinarian about the problem.
How Diarrhoea Happens
Diarrhoea happens when there is a disruption in the movement of water and nutrients across the small intestines. When the movement is interrupted, less absorption takes place, and everything is excreted. For example, if your dog eats something that is not fresh, the regular bacteria in the intestines could die, disrupting the normal digestion and nutrient absorption process. Sometimes, the loose stool can also be a signal for serious problems such as pancreatitis, liver disease or parvovirus. If there is a serious underlying cause, seeing a vet will help you get timely treatment.
When to Anticipate Diarrhoea
There are certain circumstances in which you are allowed to anticipate dog diarrhoea. Some of the common scenarios include when you change the dog's diet or treats when the dog ingests garbage, when the dog ingests toxins and when they have parasites such as hookworms and roundworms. The more serious but common causes of diarrhoea include intestinal cancer, stress from re-homing and overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines. Overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines can also lead to dog diarrhoea.
When to See a Vet
Your veterinarian, like those at Wakeley Veterinary Hospital, can tell a lot about the cause of your dog's diarrhoea from a simple assessment. Some of the questions they will expect you to answer include how long the diarrhoea has been going on, how the stool looks like in terms of colour, texture, and presence of mucus or stool, and what the dog has been ingesting. They may also need to know if your dog has come into contact with garbage and if you have changed their diet. These questions will form the basis for diagnosis and treatment.
Dog diarrhoea is classified as being caused by either the small or large intestine. The only way to correctly diagnose and treat it is by talking to the vet. It is essential to note that diarrhoea causes dehydration and needs to be managed as soon as it starts. With the help of a competent animal clinic, treating dog diarrhoea will be very simple.