Diarrhea

Diarrhea

The Dreaded D Word

by Nancy Korman

We've all been through it with our furry friends. And it's no fun, but there are many ways we can treat it and clear it up faster with less discomfort to our animal friends. It can be allowed to go for a day or two in adults with home treatment. Young animals should be taken to the vet within a few hours if it doesn't clear up. Dehydration can occur very quickly in the young ones and should be carefully cared for.

If blood is seen in the stool \endash it will look black or if violent diarrhea, abdominal distention, dehydration, vomiting, fever, or respiratory symptoms are observed, don't hesitate and get to a vet immediately. Diarrhea is a symptom not a disease. There are many reasons a pet could have diarrhea. He could have eaten something spoiled - garbage, dead animals, or have stolen food, drank milk, or eaten too many bones if not used to them. Rapid changes to an animal's diet can cause diarrhea as well.

More serious causes include toxins in flea preparations, plants, or intestinal parasites. Most veterinarians will recommend a "fast" to clear up diarrhea. Keep water available and you may wish to add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or give broth with soy sauce. Slowly introducing cooked rice and boiled chicken after a fast will help get her back on track. Chronic diarrhea may be caused by the animal's diet. A change to a natural, raw diet may be what's needed. Dyes, preservatives, and other synthetic chemicals can cause the animal to react by having loose bowels. Beginning by fasting for a day or two will help ease the transition to a natural diet. Keep fresh water available at all times. Add the new foods gradually as a rapid change in diet will only exacerbate the situation. Once on a natural diet it will help to add digestive enzymes to meals to help properly digest and utilize all the food. Lack of B-complex vitamins can cause diarrhea. Also too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea. As a pet becomes stronger and needs less vitamin C her tolerance level decreases causing the diarrhea. Infectious causes of diarrhea call for vitamin C to be ad ded with a liquid. Acidophilous can be added to increase the good intestinal flora. This is easily done by adding a bit of live culture yogurt to a meal. Homeopathy provides many choices for helping alleviate diarrhea.

In choosing a remedy, it is very important to consider all the symptoms and particularly when straining, pain or flatulence occurs. If you are in doubt as to which remedy to use, consult with a homeopath. These remedies are generally given 3 times daily for a few days.

Arsenicum Alb. -- diarrhea from eating spoiled meat, when diarrhea is seen with frequent vomiting

Belis Per. -- yellow, painless, smelly diarrhea \par Carbo Veg. -- moist flatulence or painful diarrhea in old dogs

Chamomilla -- for young dogs, watery and greenish China (cinchona officinalis) -- when dog is debilitated from vomiting and diarrhea and has lost a lot of vital fluids

Colchicum -- ineffectual urging, jelly like stools

Colocynthis -- diarrhea with colic and pain, irritable or angry, arched back

Croton tig -- for frequent watery diarrhea, gurgling and stool is watery and forceful

Ipecac -- bloody diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever with vomiting

Merc cor. -- frequent diarrhea with straining and blood, forceful spurts

Natrum Sulph. -- diarrhea with gas, large quantities, yellow and liquid or soft and loose

Phosphorus -- copious ongoing, debilitating diarrhea, difficulty in producing a small quantity of foul smelling hard or partly formed with liquid feces and followed by weakness

Veratrum Alb. -- dysentery, helps control dehydration

Herbs can also be very effective in relieving diarrhea symptoms.

Slippery elm syrup or powder mixed with honey or water is very soothing and quite effective. Carob powder can also be mixed with honey and water and half a teaspoon given three times per day for t hree days. Other herbs that can be given include: blackberry tea, catnip for dogs, not for cats, sage with honey, raspberry or strawberry leaf, chamomile, ginger or black elder.

Activated charcoal can be used to absorb toxins but should be used sparingly. Use one-half to one teaspoon of powder or 1-3 tablets or capsules every 2-3 hours for 24 hours only.

Flower essences can be given for support: Crab Apple for cleansing, Vine to help relax, Cedar which detoxifies contaminants and pollutants and poi sons, Loquat or Paw Paw to aid dietary changes, and Sweet Bell Pepper, Clover, Chamomile, or Vervain to help diarrhea caused by stress or emotional causes. Keep in mind that you should try to find the cause of the diarrhea and eliminate that. This isn't always possible, but for the times it is, you and your friends will be spared a lot of discomfort.