Diarrhea. You are awakened in the middle of the night with Fido asking to go outside. You rise abruptly and let him out only to find that he has diarrhea. Most, if not all dogs, will suffer from this condition at some point or another. What are some tips you can do at home to help? To begin, you want to assess the WHOLE dog. I use a technique called BEAM. It stands for Behavior, Energy, Appetite, and Mood. If you notice Fido's BEAM score is off it makes sense to consider a vet visit. However, if Fido has diarrhea and is otherwise eating
fine, has normal behavior, typical energy, and no major mood change, this could be gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, or something minor that could be treated at home. Here are some tips:
Low fat boiled turkey and baked sweet potato. Give small amounts throughout the day. Non-Holistic vets will tell you to feed chicken and rice. Much of rice is GMO and contaminated with Arsenic and chicken is a hot protein - not want you want Fido eating at this time.
Probiotics - make sure it contains a pre-prebiotic rather than just a single strain. Think broad spectrum. Also ensure the brand has been tested and is open about the testing performed. Longevity of the company/probiotic is preferred.
Fasting - dogs can tolerate not eating for several days and fasting helps to reset the gut. Fast for 24 hours then reintroduce food slowly and begin with bone broth preferably.
Bone broth - Bone broth contains many healing agents to the gut.
Psyllium husk - give 1/4 teaspoon for small dogs mixed with water and 1/2 teaspoon for larger dogs. It is best to seek the support of a natural health practitioner as too much can actually cause more diarrhea.
Slipper Elm - very soothing to an inflamed GI lining (1/4 teas for every 10lbs. Under 10lbs can give ¼ teas as well). Feed 2 hours before any other medicine. Mix with ½ cup of warm water. Do not microwave the water. Allow to cool and give 1 teaspoon for every 20lbs. For severe diarrhea, this can be given every 2-3 hours. Note: slippery elm is great for kennel cough as well.
Arsencium Homeopathic remedy - normally indicated for cold natured dogs who are restless with poor appetite. Many other homeopathic remedies could be helpful depending upon symptoms such as Aloe, Podophylum, or Nux Vomica for example. Relief with homeopathy for acute ailments is normally pretty quick and many are choosing this method of care. It is best to consult a natural health practitioner for specific remedies, dosage, and frequency.
Fermented foods like Kefir or sauerkraut.
Raw Goats milk - feeds gut lining and is anti-inflammatory.
Look at diet - if feeding kibble which is highly processed, consider switching to raw, gently cooked diet, or freeze dried. If that is not an option, consider offering a few meals a week of fresh food/biologically appropriate content. Eggs, sardines (in water - think Omega 3's), blueberries (high in anti-oxidants/low in sugar), Shiitake and Reshi mushrooms (great pre-biotics) for example. Every little bit counts.
Ginger - I like an infusion. Place a a tablespoon of fresh ginger in really hot water (not boiling). Allow to steep covering for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool. Give 1 teaspoon for a small dog 2 teaspoons for medium dogs and 3 teaspoons for larger dogs. I like to mix in with food. Note: only use one herb at a time.
Digestive Enzymes - Standard Process is highly rated but you must be working with a natural health practitioner to obtain.
Pumpkin - not the pumpkin pie mix but real pumpkin. Giving about a teaspoon to a tablespoon once a day depending upon size of dog.
Bear in mind that the typical conventional approach is to give Metronidazole. This medicine works however typically in a few weeks there is a repeat issue of GI distress. And so the cycle continues because the root cause has not been addressed and the microbiome is damaged. Do you go the doctor every time you have diarrhea? Consider natural, alternative methods as a first line of defense unless there is an emergent need for a veterinarian.
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