As our furry gets older, more attention needs to be paid to their health and care, as their body weakens over time and any illness can affect them more. Today we will talk about diarrhea in older dogs so that if your pet suffers it, you know how to act.
Why diarrhea occurs in older dogs
Over the years it is quite common for old-age diseases to appear in our dogs such as arthritis, as well as some gastrointestinal problems. Although vomiting and diarrhea can occur in cans of any age, more attention should be paid if they are elderly.
Diarrhea can be acute if they last a few days and are often caused by inadequate eating. Conversely, they can be chronic if they lengthen for weeks and are caused by more serious problems.
As we know, not all foods are good for our dogs and poor food can affect them. But it's not just foods that are toxic to them that can cause them to have diarrhea. There are more causes for diarrhea in older dogs:
Internal parasites.
A medication he's started taking. Have you noticed that diarrhea has occurred within a few hours of administration?
Liver, kidney disease.
A virus.
Any food allergy or intolerance.
Ingest an object. Have you been lost in the park or at home and taken to your mouth something you shouldn't?
High levels of anxiety or stress.
Cancer, leukemia.
What do I do if my elderly dog has diarrhea?
The first thing to do when diarrhea occurs in older dogs is to observe it. See if it's yellow diarrhea, if you have blood, worms or pus. The presence of these is not a good sign, so if so, collect a sample and go with it and your dog to the vet.
Once analyzed, the professional will recommend the best treatment for the can.
If you don't appreciate any of this, the reason for diarrhea may not be that bad, but it will need to be treated. It may have been caused by a feeding problem, such as a change in your food or intolerance to it.
In case of diarrhea in older dogs (and not older ones) it is very important that you always make available fresh water, so that they do not dehydrate.
It is usually recommended to have it fasting for 24 hours, but consult your veterinarian first if you plan to do so: each case is special.
Then, the best thing for these cases is to establish an astringent diet, in which boiled chicken will predominate (remember to remove the bones so that the chips do not harm your pet) and white rice.
Food should not be given to you at once. The daily amount you should take will have to be divided into several shots. Remember that your stomach is delicate and you have to make digestion as easy as possible.
Still, it is always recommended that, even if you do not see anything strange in your diarrhea, you go to the vet. He may also recommend some kind of soft food or probiotics to help your dog.
And remember: never, NEVER, self-medicate your pet and always, ALWAYS, give it all the love it deserves.