How do you treat a dog with digestive problems?

When a dog that used to be full of vitality and delighted at the sight of food suddenly loses interest in delicious food and even shows digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal distension, every owner's heart is filled with worry and tenderness. Dogs can't tell us about their discomfort with words, and their health requires us to safeguard it with professional knowledge and boundless love. In the face of a dog's digestive problems, understanding the cause, treating it scientifically, and providing careful care are the keys to helping them regain their health.

The reasons behind a dog's digestive problems are complex and diverse. Improper diet is one of the most common causes. Feeding dogs too much greasy and spicy human food, such as fried chicken, onions, etc., the components in these foods exceed the tolerance of a dog's stomach and intestines, which can easily irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and trigger indigestion. Suddenly changing the brand of dog food, the new dog food has different ingredients and tastes from the previous one, and the intestinal flora of the dog is difficult to adapt quickly, which will also lead to digestive disorders. In addition, if a dog accidentally ingests foreign objects, such as small toy fragments, hair balls, plastic bags, etc., these foreign objects cannot be normally digested and excreted in the intestines, which may block the intestines, causing serious digestive problems and even threatening the dog's life.

In addition to dietary factors, diseases are also an important cause of digestive problems in dogs. Gastroenteritis is relatively common in dogs, and infections by bacteria, viruses, and parasites can all lead to the occurrence of gastroenteritis. For example, after bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella infect the intestines, they will release toxins, disrupting the normal digestive function of the intestines and causing the dog to have symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Viral infections such as canine distemper and parvovirus not only attack the dog's immune system but also cause serious damage to the stomach and intestines, triggering severe vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, systemic diseases such as pancreatic diseases and liver diseases can also affect the secretion of digestive enzymes and the excretion of bile, resulting in a decrease in the dog's digestive ability and problems such as loss of appetite and weight loss.

When we find that a dog has digestive problems, we should first carefully observe the symptoms to initially judge the severity of the condition. If the dog only has occasional mild vomiting, the vomit is undigested food without blood streaks or mucus, the number of diarrhea episodes is not high, the feces are slightly soft, and its mental state is still okay, and it is willing to interact with the owner, the situation is relatively mild. However, if the dog vomits frequently, and even the vomit contains blood streaks or yellow bile, the diarrhea is watery and frequent, it is listless, lies on the ground and is reluctant to move, refuses to eat and drink, and shows symptoms of dehydration, such as poor skin elasticity and sunken eyes, it means that the situation is more serious and immediate measures need to be taken.

For mild digestive problems, we can first try to care for the dog at home. First, let the dog fast for 12 to 24 hours to allow the stomach and intestines to rest fully, just like letting tired workers stop working for renovation so as to recover their vitality. During the fasting period, ensure that the dog can always drink clean warm water to prevent dehydration. You can use a small spoon or syringe to feed the dog a small amount of water at regular intervals to avoid causing repeated vomiting due to drinking a large amount of water at one time. After 12 to 24 hours, gradually feed the dog some easily digestible food, such as rice porridge. Rice porridge is soft in texture, rich in carbohydrates, easy to be absorbed by the stomach and intestines, and can also form a protective film on the surface of the intestines to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. You can also choose pumpkin puree. Pumpkin is rich in dietary fiber, which helps to promote intestinal peristalsis and adsorb harmful substances in the intestines at the same time. When feeding, follow the principle of small meals and frequent feeding. Divide the daily food intake into 4 to 5 feedings, and the amount of each feeding should not be too much. In addition, supplementing probiotics for the dog is also very helpful. Probiotics can regulate the balance of the intestinal flora, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote the reproduction of beneficial bacteria, and help restore the normal digestive function of the stomach and intestines. There are specialized pet probiotics on the market, and you can give them to the dog according to the dosage in the instructions.

If the dog's symptoms do not improve or show signs of worsening, it must be taken to a pet hospital immediately. In the hospital, the veterinarian will understand information such as the dog's diet, the time and changes of the symptoms through detailed inquiries, and then conduct a comprehensive physical examination, including auscultation of the heart and lungs, palpation of the abdomen, etc. At the same time, combined with professional examination methods such as blood routine, fecal examination, and biochemical testing, accurately determine the cause and severity of the condition. For digestive problems caused by parasitic infections, the veterinarian will prescribe corresponding deworming drugs according to the type of parasite and strictly guide the dosage and treatment course. If it is gastroenteritis caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed for treatment; while for viral infections, antiviral treatment is required, and at the same time, water, electrolytes, and nutrients are replenished through intravenous infusion to correct the conditions of dehydration and acid-base balance disorders.

When the dog's condition gradually improves and enters the recovery period, the nursing work still cannot be relaxed. The diet should continue to be light and easily digestible, and gradually transition to normal dog food. You can choose prescription food specially designed for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This kind of dog food is easier to digest and absorb in terms of ingredients and can reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. At the same time, pay attention to controlling the food intake to prevent the dog from overeating due to hunger and aggravating the burden on the stomach and intestines again. Also, let the dog get enough rest and create a quiet, warm, and comfortable resting environment for it. Regularly take the dog for reexaminations to ensure that the gastrointestinal function has fully recovered to normal.

Dogs are our loyal companions in life, and they give us unconditional love and companionship. When they are troubled by digestive problems, we should use professional knowledge and full love to help them overcome the disease. Every careful care and every warm company are our responses to this precious friendship.