Dog Constipation Following Diarrhea

Hi Hilary,
It sounds like Herbi may need to be on a ‘bland diet’ (such as cooked chicken and rice) for 2-3 weeks to give his GI tract a rest. Since he has had soft and/or loose stool for most of the two months that you have had him, it is too soon to start adding in his regular food.

I suspect that he has lost most of the normal flora (not fluoride) in his intestine. I am not familiar with the product Bactisel-HK, but I suspect it must be a type of probiotic containing Acidophilus.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is the beneficial bacteria that is found in a healthy GI tract. There are many different products available… PB 8 is a good brand with which I am familiar. It is for humans, and comes in a capsule form. I suggest giving him 2 capsules 2 times daily. (Open and sprinkle in 2 capsules to Herbi’s food 2 times daily) for a month.

Dog diarrhea and/or frequent loose stool will cause a loss of the good bacteria. And unless it is replaced, the stool will have a difficult time returning to normal.

Feeding a DRY DOG FOOD is too difficult for the GI tract to digest. The intestine must secrete MORE fluid in order to digest dry dog food. Therefore, avoiding dry food, perhaps forever, may be the best treatment plan for Herbi. He will be healthier on a canned dog food, or even a raw dog food diet, in the long run. Giving him tartar control dog treats will help his teeth, NOT DRY DOG FOOD.

Also, instead of giving Pepto Bismol, which is not approved for use in dogs, use Kao-Pectate for animals. NOT the over the counter Kaopectate for people (which contains aspirin), use the veterinary version, which is a combination of only Kaolin and Pectin. He will need 2 tsp by mouth 3 times daily, for days that he has frequent diarrhea.

To Be Continued in Part Two.

Hi Hilary,
Here is the continuation of my response.

When he is treated with a medicine to stop the diarrhea, especially when his stool is ‘liquid squirts’, he will NOT have a bowel movement for 3 days or so. This does NOT mean he is constipated. It is because the medicine will stop the increase in motility, allow the GI tract to absorb the excess liquid, and on a bland, low fiber diet, there will be no stimulus to produce any stool. This is OK.

Once the GI tract starts healing, and the normal gut flora is re-established, and you are gradually transitioning from bland food to a more balanced diet (perhaps a canned version of the lamb and rice diet he was on initially) then he should start to produce more formed stool.

Another problem that I see is giving Rabies or other vaccines to a puppy that is not entirely healthy. This will affect his immune system and slow down his ability to heal. Using dog homeopathic remedies is one way to treat this condition, sometimes referred to as ‘vaccinosis’.

Seeking the help of a holistic veterinarian, using homeopathic remedies to strengthen Herbi’s vital force will help him grow to be strong and healthy, and less susceptible to having a weak or sensitive GI tract.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Diarrhea Medicine,
– Dog Constipation Symptoms & Treatment,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Diarrhea, Constipation and/or Digestive Problems Section

You can try a half piece of bred in there. Try to make him drink water. Ice cubes with chicken broth help.

Should get better, but if he vomits or has dark blood – thats cause for concern.

Cheers –
bull dog life saver