In daily life, it's quite common for pets to experience digestive disorders leading to frequent occurrences of diarrhea. Let's refer to the article below from Hi Raw! to gain a comprehensive understanding and proper treatment approach to prevent dangerous complications for your household dogs and cats.

Causes of Digestive Disorders and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats

Digestive disorders in dogs and cats can affect their stomach and intestines, impacting their overall health. If these disorders are left untreated for an extended period, they can lead to complications such as intestinal problems, constipation, and even death.

Common Diarrhea Causes

Some common causes of diarrhea include:
- Stress: For example, if your dog or cat is not used to riding in cars, going to the vet, or visiting unfamiliar places, it might experience temporary diarrhea due to stress. This usually subsides quickly.
- Sudden changes in diet: Some breeds of dogs and cats are sensitive to abrupt changes in their diet, which can lead to diarrhea. Therefore, any dietary changes should be gradual over 1-2 weeks.
- Consuming spoiled, fatty, or foreign substances (e.g., hard objects like chicken bones) or overeating: Adult dogs can often manage mild diarrhea by fasting for 12-24 hours, allowing their stomach and intestines to rest and recover. In rare cases, dogs might experience low blood sugar levels when fasting, which can be addressed with glucose supplementation under the guidance of a veterinarian.

Dangerous Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a symptom of serious diseases in dogs and cats, such as:
- Diseases caused by viruses: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, feline leukopenia, etc.
- Diseases caused by bacteria: Leptospira, E. coli, Salmonella, etc.
- Diseases caused by parasites or protozoa, alone or in combination: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, flukes, Giardia, etc.

Signs of Digestive Disorders and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats

Severe Stage

Dogs and cats experience abdominal pain, cold body, and severe weakness. At this stage, they often do not recover and are difficult to successfully treat.

Acute Stage

Pets show high fever on the first day, loss of appetite, lethargy, and pale mucous membranes.

Mild Stage

Symptoms include vomiting foamy bile, foul-smelling diarrhea, and occasional presence of blood.

When pets have digestive disorders, they may exhibit symptoms such as a bloated abdomen, vomiting, undigested food in the stool, and frequent diarrhea. Loose stools can lead to dehydration and gradual weakening of the pet's health. In some cases, pets might pass bloody stools due to environmental parasite contamination, which can be fatal.

Treating Dogs and Cats with Digestive Disorders and Diarrhea

If you observe the above symptoms in your pets, immediate treatment is necessary. Typically, treatment lasts around 10 days, depending on the severity of the condition and the owner's diligent care.

Firstly, take your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic for examination and treatment. If there's no nearby veterinary clinic, stop feeding your pet solid food, only provide water, and investigate potential causes (food, water, weather, etc.).

Absolutely avoid giving milk; milk consumption can worsen the condition. Keep the living area clean, prevent cross-contamination to other pets, and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

When you notice signs of recovery, provide supplementary foods and vitamins. Offer small, well-cooked portions to avoid worsening the condition. If financially possible, you can feed cooked, finely cut beef to help restore red blood cells and promote faster recovery.

Preventing Digestive Disorders and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats

The time between the onset of digestive disorders and the appearance of symptoms is usually a few days, making early detection challenging. Hence, pet owners should pay more attention to their pets' digestive systems and regular behaviors. Here are some preventive measures:

Vaccination

Ensure that your pets are up-to-date with vaccinations. Dogs typically receive a 7-in-1 vaccine, administered in three doses, with a 21-day interval between doses. Cats usually receive a 4-in-1 vaccine, given in three doses with a 30-day interval between doses.

Feeding and Diet

To maintain healthy digestion, feed your pets on time with proper nutrition. Choose clean and safe food, adhering to food safety standards. When outside, monitor your pets to prevent them from consuming random items and playing with potentially harmful substances.

Deworming

Regularly deworm your pets every 2-4 months to prevent gastrointestinal issues and inflammation.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Thoroughly clean and disinfect your pets' living areas, kennels, and cages to eliminate disease-causing viruses and bacteria, ensuring the environment is disease-free."

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