Cat Health Questions

What is Diarrhea?

Pets, like humans, can occasionally encounter a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea usually occurs when something that your pet has eaten does not agree with his stomach or irritates it. It is characterized by loose, watery stools that are passed frequently. Sometimes there may even be blood present in the stools. It affects dogs and cats of all ages and breeds.

Warning signs that you should be aware of include loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, fever, a sense of urgency to defecate several times during the day as well as continue to strain after defecating. Diarrhea may be mild or severe. This condition affects loss of fluids within the body, which can lead to dehydration, acid-base imbalance or electrolyte interference.

If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, fever and your pet refuses to drink water, this is cause for concern and you need to consult your vet as soon as possible.

What Causes Diarrhea?

There are various causes of diarrhea that range from eating spoilt or rotten food, garbage or roadkill, overeating, ingesting chemicals and toxins, sudden changes in diet, food allergies or a reaction to certain medications. More severe episodes of diarrhea may develop because of parasitic infestation, bacterial, viral and fungal infection, colitis, ulcer, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney and liver disease, or stomach cancer.

Diagnosing Diarrhea

The diagnosis of diarrhea is based on the symptoms presented, a thorough physical examination and review of your pet’s medical history. Your vet will take a fresh stool sample to check for internal parasites, blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound of the abdomen or endoscopy to determine the cause of diarrhea.

Help for Diarrhea

Mild episodes of diarrhea can be managed at home. This can be done by withholding food for 24 to 48 hours, but always make sure that water is available to avoid dehydration. When diarrhea stops, feed your pet a bland diet of cooked rice with chicken in small amounts 3 to 6 times per day.

Afterwards, you can slowly return him to his normal diet. However, do not withhold food from puppies or kittens or administer any over-the-counter medications – consult your vet first! In cases of severe diarrhea, a specially formulated diet will be prescribed together with anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medications and intravenous fluids.

Natural remedies

Natural and holistic remedies can also provide relief for both dogs and cats suffering from diarrhea. Herbal and homeopathic remedies are not only safe and effective to use but help to maintain overall digestive health and functioning.

Carefully selected herbal ingredients such as Plantagomjor (Plantain) and Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) support the digestive system and production of healthy, firm stools. Homeopathic ingredients such as Podophyllum, Sulphur and Arsen alb. help to maintain bowel functioning and are excellent natural remedies for both the digestive and nervous systems.

Recommended Product

RuniPoo Relief is the best treatment for diarrhea. It is a 100% natural remedy, containing herbal and homeopathic ingredients that have been carefully selected to support digestive balance, support the production of firm stools, and maintain healthy bowel functioning. Presented in easy to administer drops, RuniPoo may simply be mixed with a favorite treat. You will be surprised at how fast it works. Using it will definitely save you a lot of money in vet bills and medication. If you would like to find out more about this product, then please click here.