My sheperd mix dog

Question
My dog has the runs and is not eating.  What can I give her safely.  She is 12 yrs old and weighs about 80 pounds.  Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Pat

Answer
Hi Pat!As for the runs,diarrhea,here is what you can try:

Quit putting stuff in your pet,and stuff will stop coming out.Vets recommend not feeding your pet for 24 hours after the onset of diarrhea.if she's still not better after a day of no food,there could be something seriously wrong,and you should call you vet.

When your pet is ready to eat again,keep her digestive system calm by giving her cooked white rice mixed with boiled hamburger or skinless white meat chicken.Vets recommend mixing two parts rice to one part meat and feeding your pet small amounts every four hours for two days.

After two days you can begin switching your pet to her regular diet.Rather than changing food all at once,which could thrust her insides back into overdrive,try substituting the bland diet for about a fourth of her regular food once a day for four days.

If your pet's stools are still a little sift-either after or during the bland diet phase-try adding a little Metamucil to her food.Fiber helps draw water out of the stool,and its fermenting action in the colon will help bring things back to normal.Depending on you pet's size,vets recommend giving between 1 1/4 teaspoons and 1 tablespoon of Metamucil a day for one or two days.Just mix it with water and pour it on her food.I know it sounds strange to fight diarrhea with fiber,but sometimes it works very well.

Since diarrhea can rapidly deplete the body of essential fluids,be sure to keep her wtare bowl full.It's also a good idea to fill a separate bowl with Gatorade.Like other sprots drinks,Gateorade will help replenish minerals the body needs,like potassium and sodium.The original flavor was good,but dogs and cats seem to like the fruit punch flavor better.

Most adult dogs and cats have difficulty digesting milk because they lack the enzyme (lactase) needed to digest sugar (lactose) in milk.If your giving your pet milk and she has diarrhea,cut the milk and you should see some real improvement in a few days.

Taking a 15-minute walk twice a day will help stimulate a part of the mervous system that is responsible for keeping the gut calm.It can have a very good affect on diarrhea.It's important,however,to walk your pet only if she seems to ahve the energy for it.If she lags or is shaky or doesn't even want to get up,let her be.

Visiting the vet,moving or having a new pet at home are just a few of the things that can upset your pet.To prevent emotional upheavals from getting the upper hand,talking to her gently,reassure her and spend extra time wiht her.

While there are a number of over-the-counter medications that can help ease the runs,many vets feel it's best to let the illness run its course.There's a reason your ept has diarrhea.Forget about rushing for anything that will keep the stool in unless your vet thinks it's a good idea.

As for her not eating, I would HIGHLY recommend another veterinarian's opinion. Something is definately effecting her health and she can not go on just not eating. Is she up to date on her shots? Parvo is a canine virus that is contracted throughout dogs. If this dog is a carrier of the virus and she is not up to date on her vaccines, this would make her the perfect candidate to contract this virus, as she is showing all the symptoms. With this virus, or any viral infection it is extremely important to get medical attention. She will end up getting extremely dehydrated. You need to take her to a different vet ASAP, and get her some fluids and antibiotics.See if he will eat some wet food right now to perk up his appetite or try another dry food. There are so many reasons for the lack of appetite. You should have the vet examine your dog to see if there is some kind of underlying medical problem. From your description, if she is having bowel movements and not losing weight. She may be getting enough food to sustain her. Offer people food like boiled chicken or burger and rice or meat baby food. If they show no interest, then you should take them to the veterinarian for blood work and fluid and vitamin treatments and medication accordingly to the problem diagnosed.


Be sure to ask your vet if this is OK.You can print this or send it to his office.I hope this is helpful!Please keep me posted and good luck!Give her kisses for me!Nicole.D.