Even the most well-trained of dogs may not make it outside when suffering from a bad case of diarrhea, which can leave owners with quite a mess to clean up. Is it any wonder that diarrhea is one of the most common reasons for visits to the veterinarian’s office? 

But before you rush to the clinic, ask yourself a few questions to determine whether or not this is something you might be able to treat at home.

Duration

Has diarrhea just started or has it been going on for a while? If your dog has had diarrhea for two or more days, particularly if you have tried some home remedies and they have not worked, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.

On the other hand, if your dog has only had diarrhea for a day or so, there is still a good chance that his condition will improve with home treatment.

Severity

How bad is the diarrhea? How does your dog seem to feel otherwise? A dog that has only had a couple of instances of diarrhea and is still active, happy and interested in food and water is not in immediate danger. 

However, if you are seeing profuse, frequent, watery diarrhea; if it contains significant amounts of blood; or if it is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, depression, and abdominal pain, call your veterinarian immediately.

Age

Is your dog a puppy? Very young dogs can become dehydrated and hypoglycemic very quickly if they are not eating and drinking well or if they are suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. Always err on the side of caution with puppies and get them to the veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Overall Health

Is your dog otherwise healthy or does he have health problems that might make his condition a bit more precarious? If you are concerned that your dog may not be able to handle the stress of even a short bout of diarrhea, seeking rapid treatment is probably in his best interest.

Treatment Recommendations

Otherwise healthy, adult dogs that have had mild to moderate diarrhea for less than 48 hours are ideal candidates for symptomatic treatment. Here are a few recommendations as to what you can try at home before calling your veterinarian.

1. Feed your dog a bland diet like boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin) and white rice for a day or two. If diarrhea resolves, gradually reintroduce your dog’s regular food.
2. Administer an anti-diarrhea pet medication containing kaolin and pectin to absorb excess fluid within the intestinal tract and reduce intestinal movement.
3. Administer a probiotic supplement for dogs like Endurosyn to help normalize the bacterial populations in their intestinal tract.

If your dog fails to improve in 24 to 48 hours or gets worse at any time, you will need to make an appointment with a veterinarian so a proper diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment can be administered.