Diarrhea in older dogs

Older dogs are animals to which you must pay special attention, since from the age of 8 they can have various diseases typical of old age, such as arthritis or osteoarthritis for example. In addition, if they begin to have gastrointestinal problems, it is very important that we provide them with the necessary care so that they can improve. It is always good to have the vet's phone number written down, since you never know when we will have to call.

In this article we are going to talk at length about the diarrhea in older dogs, since this is a symptom that, if not treated, could endanger the lives of the furry ones.

What is diarrhea?

We all know more or less what diarrhea is: liquid or semi-liquid anal discharge. But this can be acute, that is, they last a few days; or chronic, which last a few weeks and also usually appear from time to time.

What are your causes?

Although we usually think that dogs can eat anything because it will not make them feel bad, the reality is very different. As can happen to us, they can also fall ill if they eat something inappropriate, if they have a disease that affects the gastrointestinal system, or if they are going through a time of great stress and / or anxiety.

The causes of diarrhea are, as we see, very varied:

• Eating things you shouldn't (sugar, chocolate, sausages, garbage, spoiled food, toxic substances, toxic plants)
• Kidney, liver, viral, or bacterial diseases
• Internal parasites
• Alimentary intolerance
• Cancer
• Anxiety and / or stress
• Medication
• Sudden changes in your diet
• Swallow something you shouldn't (objects)

How to act if my older dogs have diarrhea?

The first and most important thing to do if we see that furry dogs have diarrhea is observe the color they have, since if there are traces of blood, pus or mucus, or worms, they must be taken to the vet ASAP with a sample for testing.

In the event that there is none of that, then a food intolerance or a sudden change in their diet could be suspected, so we can choose to do a 24-hour food fast, but no more. During all this time we will continue to keep the drinker always full of water, since otherwise they could dehydrate quickly. If they do not want to drink, if they are listless and / or if they vomit, we will take them to the specialist.

Under no circumstances should animals be self-medicated. This is a too common practice that puts them in danger, since giving them a pill or a syrup that went well for us in their day does not mean that they will do well. The body of dogs does not tolerate all the same substances as that of humans, hence a simple aspirin can put them in danger. Only a qualified veterinarian will tell us what medicine to give them, in what quantity and for how many days.

How to help them recover?

Apart from what we have already said, at home we can also do several things:

• Give them a soft diet: consisting of white rice and boiled chicken (boneless). Another option is to give them cans of high-quality wet food, without grains or by-products.
• Ration food: you have to give them the daily amount they need, but divided into many doses throughout the day to facilitate digestion.
• Using specific probiotics for dogs: they are beneficial bacteria for the digestive system. More information on this topic here.

And if they do not improve in a few days (3-4 maximum), you have to take them back to the vet for re-examination and, if necessary, change the treatment.

I hope it has been useful to you.