BJ asked “I’d like to know when diarrhea becomes a serious concern.”
Cases of diarrhea mostly fall into two groups. In the first group, the problem is in the small intestine and in the second group in the large intestine, cecum or rectum. High diarrheas are the most dangerous. When the problem is high in the small intestine the pet voids large amounts of stool, but the frequency of bowel movements is not increased. If there is blood in this stool it is chocolate-colored, not bright red and there is no straining when these pets eliminate. The stool is never mucoid. These pets may also have a tummy ach. When diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and/or your pet is under 6 mos. old, your pet should see your vet asap. The second group have a problem in their large intestine. These pets have frequent, uncomfortable eliminations. When they go, the amount of stool is small and often covered with mucus. Frequently the stool is coated with flecks of bright red or rust-colored blood. These pets often sit straining to defecate without success. Vomiting may accompany high small intestinal problems but never low colonic ones. Low colonic diarrhea is often chronic and causes can include:
1. Leaky Gut Syndrome
2. Intestinal parasites, especially whipworms and more rarely roundworms and coccidia.
3. Giardia, Clostridium, bacteria
4. Food Allergies (this is usually secondary to the Leaky Gut Syndrome)
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
7. Chronic digestion of foods and indigestible objects such as rocks and sticks
8. Organic diseases such as liver disease, thyroid disease and kidney disease
9. Dysbiosis (a relatively permanent alteration from a normal intestinal microbial flora to an abnormal bacterial, fungal or protozoal population)
Many of the causes of colonic diarrhea have responded favorably to the addition of natural, organic supplements to the diet. For more information, please call me at 352-572-7276 or fill out and send the free consultation form at www.dogsdiarrhea.com/free_consultation
