Keeping a dog without diarrhea? This only happens in the rarest of cases, as every dog owner has probably had to deal with this issue at some point - many probably even more than "once".
Diarrhea is one of the most common signs that dog owners notice that something is wrong with their dog. Unlike many other possible symptoms, diarrhea is also difficult to miss.
The intact digestive process
Explaining the entire digestive tract and process in detail would actually go beyond the scope of this article. We will therefore summarize:
The normal digestive process takes about 8 - 10 hours. The food passes through the small intestine, where 80% of the water is removed from the food and absorbed into the body. Water is also removed in the large intestine and rectum, which makes the stool firmer and gives it the consistency it should have.
But what consistency should feces actually have?
An ideal dog poop should be neither too soft nor too hard. Dog poop should at least be hard enough to be removed without residue using a poop bags can be removed.
intestinal villi, intestinal flora and intestinal brain
Since the digestive tract plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of your four-legged friend, diarrhea should not be taken lightly. To understand this better, let's briefly look at the terms intestinal villi, intestinal flora and intestinal brain:
On the surface of the small intestine are intestinal villi These tiny, finger-like protrusions of the intestinal mucosa significantly increase the surface area of the small intestine, making nutrient absorption more effective. They play an important role in digestion and nutrient absorption in dogs and are part of the immune system by fighting off harmful bacteria and pathogens.
The intestinal flora (microbiome) consists of many different bacteria. A healthy ratio between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria should be around 7:1. An intact intestinal flora can maintain its own balance and helps with digestion and protection against pathogens. It is essential for the immune system.
The gut brain , also called the enteric nervous system (ENS), is a network of nerve cells in the gastrointestinal tract. It is often called the "second brain" because it controls many digestive functions independently of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The ENS also communicates with the brain regarding appetite, mood, and well-being. It helps fight off pathogens and plays a role in immune surveillance of the gut.
Intestinal villi, intestinal flora and intestinal brain are an important part of the digestive system and general health. Diarrhea is a symptom that this important system is disturbed.
The disturbed digestive process
When the digestive process is disturbed, intestinal movement (intestinal peristalsis) is faster and digestion time is shortened. Less water can be absorbed.
In addition, the intestinal villi may be damaged or less effective, leading to reduced nutrient absorption and increased fluid excretion.
Since problems in the digestive system and a disturbed intestinal flora have a major impact on the immune system and general health, great importance should be placed on a healthy digestive process.Diseases of the skin and respiratory tract as well as fungal infections can be caused or promoted by a disturbed intestinal flora.
Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs
Especially in cases of chronic diarrhea, it is very important to find out the exact cause. Diarrhea is ultimately just a symptom that indicates a problem. The causes of diarrhea are very diverse:
- stress/anxiety
- intestinal mucosal inflammation
- nutritional deficiencies (e.g. too much fat, spoiled food)
- dietary change
- food allergies and intolerances
- Parasites (e.g. worms, Giardia )
- viruses (e.g. parvovirus, distemper)
- bacteria (e.g. salmonella)
- Dysbacteriosis (disturbed intestinal flora)
- Organ diseases (e.g. renal insufficiency, liver and pancreas diseases
- side effects of medications
- poisoning
- foreign body
- tumors
What to do in case of acute diarrhea?
Fasting for 24 hours: Your dog should not be given anything to eat for 24 hours. The intestinal villi need time to calm down again.
Many dog owners find it difficult not to feed their dog for 24 hours. However, this is particularly important in the case of food allergies in order to prevent them from developing. An intact gastrointestinal tract breaks down nutrients and fends off pathogens.
When the intestine is inflamed, the gaps in the wall become loose. The intestinal wall is therefore no longer completely sealed. The breakdown of food no longer takes place properly, so that in addition to pathogens, food molecules that have not yet been fully broken down can also pass through the intestinal wall. These larger food molecules are foreign to the immune system.
This sensitizes the immune system to this feed. This can lead to the development of an allergy if this feed is given again.
Sufficient water: Water should be available at all times. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
There is a simple test you can use to check whether your dog is dehydrated: Take a fold of skin in the shoulder/neck area and slowly pull it up. If the fold of skin disappears immediately when you let go, everything is fine. If the fold of skin remains, this is an indication of dehydration.
Small meals: After 24 hours, you can give your dog 5 – 6 small, easily digestible meals throughout the day, ideally grain-free and hypoallergenic . The amount of food can then be gradually increased again.
Diarrhea can also be treated psyllium husks They have a positive effect on the intestines. elm bark supports the gastrointestinal tract by laying a protective layer on the mucous membranes and thus soothing them.
Veterinarian visit: If there is still no improvement after 2 days, you should consult a veterinarian.
If there is fever and blood in the stool, you should go to the vet immediately. With old and sick dogs, as well as puppies, it is better to act sooner rather than later.
Moro's carrot soup
Moro's carrot soup is named after the German pediatrician Professor Ernst Moro, who developed it at the beginning of the 20th century.Century. This soup was originally used as a home remedy for diarrhea in children.
The special effectiveness of the soup lies in the oligosaccharides it contains, which are released during the long cooking time of the carrots and have an antibacterial effect on the intestines.
Recipe for Moro's Carrot Soup
Ingredients:
- 500 g carrots
- 1 liter of water
- a pinch of salt
Preparation:
- Peel the carrots and cut them into small pieces.
- In a large pot, bring the carrots and water to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer carrots for at least 90 minutes, until very tender.
- Drain the carrots and collect the cooking water.
- Puree the carrots finely with a hand blender or in a mixer.
- Mix the carrot puree with the cooking water again to create a creamy soup.
- Add a pinch of salt (optional, as dogs only need salt in very small amounts).
The soup can be given several times a day in small portions and at room temperature. With a little cooked, low-fat meat, the soup can be made palatable even for picky dogs.
Small tip: Pre-cook and freeze in smaller portions. That way you'll have it ready just in case.
We at alphazoo want to support you and your pet with diarrhea and digestive problems, whether with nutritional supplements or hypoallergenic grain-free dog food . Accept the help!
