What a Pet Parent's nightmares are made of...explosive diarrhea. I've had many experiences with various dogs over the years that have had sudden bouts of diarrhea. Oftentimes it is sudden and I never really know what it was caused by.
The real question is what do we do when these dreaded times arrive?
I will share what my go-to protocol is and which products have saved my carpeting and made my pup feel better within 24-48 hours.
First I want to share that when your pet gets diarrhea suddenly we often jump to calling the vet or grabbing something out of the medicine cabinet to stop the diarrhea. And I totally understand that response. HOWEVER, diarrhea, vomiting, running nose, watery eyes...all are the ways in which our body naturally gets rid of the "bad stuff" whether that be a bad bacteria, virus, toxin, etc.
So I like to share that although these things are "gross" and "messy" they are also NATURAL. And with that being said we don't want to suppress the process and hinder the body's natural way of healing and re-balancing, but instead we want to SUPPORT it (which in turn makes the episode go quicker, less painfully, and successfully re-balance the body back to health).
This blog is about ACUTE cases of diarrhea. Which means it is not a chronic issue. It is an isolated event that came about. If your pet has diarrhea consistently that is an entirely different topic and life-changes (diet, supplementation, etc.) needs to be assessed. If you would like a consult on this please reach out; I'm happy to assist.
What led me to sharing this is just yesterday my dog, Archie, woke up and had some severe gurgling in his belly and refused to eat his breakfast. He then proceeded to go outside and have some very very loose stool. Poor guy!
Oftentimes our pets are more intuitive than us and Archie knew that eating breakfast was not in his best interest. I honored his intuition and put the food away for a bit to try again later.
Later on in the afternoon after the gurgling seemed to subside a bit and Archie seemed to be feeling a little more up to eating. I used some of my staple products that I always keep in my cabinet for cases like these.
Here is my protocol for acute diarrhea cases:
#1: FAST:
It is often beneficial to fast your pet for 12 hours or so before giving a meal if they have diarrhea (or at least until it begins to subside). It gives the intestines a chance to empty and if you give more food there is a chance that the diarrhea will just be more abundant with that new added food.
Archie had diarrhea in the morning only so he already had gone all night without food as well as all morning so he fasted for roughly 15-16 hours.
#2 Fresh Water & Bone Broth:
Make sure to still provide fresh water to your pet since having diarrhea will definitely dehydrate them. You can give a little bone broth (homemade or pet-friendly - no onion and low sodium like Open Farm)
#3 Ready for a Meal - Food:
I usually feed Archie a raw food diet, but with his stomach upset I decided to re-hydrate some freeze-dried food with a little warm water. Another really great option (especially if you feed a dry kibble) is to lightly cook some ground turkey and feed small portions instead of their regular food for a day or two, depending on how severe the diarrhea is.
Here are some freeze-dried options to keep on hand. They are also great nutrition boosters that can be crumbled on top of their regular food when your pet is feeling better.
#4 Ready for a Meal - Supplements:
Again the goal is to support the body in getting out whatever is causing the diarrhea. Rather than suppress it and potentially prolong the diarrhea and/or cause more severe symptoms, we want to use products that work WITH the body to heal.
Amber Naturalz Kochi Free (or Vibactra Plus; they are the same product & formula just different name for marketing reasons).
I love this product because it has immune supporting herbs that act as a 'natural antibiotic' to rid the bad while still keeping the good. Unlike traditional antibiotics from the vet that rid both the bad AND the good bacteria in the gut. By using this you are setting your pet up for success because it won't lead to a weakened immune system that can be leaving them more susceptible to other health problems and sicknesses.
A high-quality probiotic & digestive enzyme. I like Aunt Jeni's Digestive Aid because it also has soothing herbs to help settle the upset tummy. Herbsmith Microflora is another one that I like as well.
Lastly, 100% Pumpkin is something I always have on hand. It is a beneficial fiber to use for both diarrhea to firm up the stools as well as helping with constipation.
You can't go overboard with it, so I just do a small spoonful for Archie (he's 11lbs) or a heaping tablespoon for larger dogs (50+lbs) right into the food.
You can purchase pumpkin that is specific for dogs and cats - these pouches are super helpful to have on hand. Or just pick up a can of 100% canned pumpkin from your local grocery store or check your pantry, just make sure it isn't the pumpkin pie filling with added sugar and spices. We only want 100% pure pumpkin!
So overall, feeding lightly cooked ground turkey with some 100% pumpkin and these two added supplements is my quick and easy protocol to knock out the diarrhea and boost the immune system! And a little extra cuddling couldn't hurt for some moral support.
If the diarrhea persists for longer than a day or two or you notice your pet has other symptoms of feeling sick - you may want to reach out to your vet for assistances. And again this is for acute cases not if your pet has consistent diarrhea on a regular bases. Email me if you have questions at alyssamauzerkola@gmail.com or schedule a consultation - I would be more than happy to see if I can help!
DISCLAIMER:
The information offered by The Balanced Companion is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace regular veterinary care. I strongly encourage you to seek the professional advice of a holistic veterinarian that supports your efforts to incorporate species appropriate nutrition and holistic lifestyle choices into your pet’s life. To locate a holistic integrative vet, please visit www.ahvma.org or ask me for a referral. This blog post contains affiliate links for purchases of products on Amazon that I may receive commission for. Thank you for your support.
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