Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats. Effective Natural Treatments

Diarrhea is the passing of loose stool as compared with the normal condition. Diarrhea can occur because of any diseases related to small intestine, large intestine or due to anomalies of gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea caused by small intestinal and large intestinal anomalies has different reasons, require different tests to diagnose and are treated altogether differently.

Abnormalities in small intestine causes larger amount of stool that is passed with a comparative increase in occurrence. To an estimate about three to five bowel movements per day happens due to disturbed small intestinal actions. The dog do not strain for defecation or face any difficulty in passing out the stool. Dogs with small intestinal disease may vomit and lose weight. Over gas production from time to time is seen and you may hear sometimes the rumbling of gas in the belly of the dog.

If there is blood strained stool it is digested and shows black in color.
Disorder of the large intestine including both colon and rectum causes the dog to pass smaller amount of loose stool frequently. This normally happens five times a day. The dog strains to pass stool in this. If there is blood in the stool, the stool is generally red in appearance. The stool may be slimy and may also contain mucus. The dog does not usually vomit or lose weight with large bowel diarrhea.

Causes of diarrhea

Dietary indiscretion
Sudden food change
Over eating
Parasites
Toxic/Poison Ingestion
Pancreatitis
Liver disease
Drugs
Food allergies
Infections
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Intestinal Cancer
Addison’s disease or hypo-adreno-corticism

Treatment of Diarrhea

Below are some of the many ayurvedic herbs that are extremely helpful in treating the diarrhea and are also helpful in recovering the deficiency of minerals, vitamins and electrolytes that are lost during diarrhea.

Bilva – this is an ayurvedic herb that is known as Aegle marmelos. This herb has been used in treating diarrhea and loose stool problems. Due to its kahsaya i.e. astringent taste, it helps in binding up of the stool and also promotes absorption of the water in the intestines. This helps in removal of the extra amount of water from the intestines and there by making stools firmer.

Jatiphala – Jatiphla has been widely used in preparing ayurvedic anti diarrheal medicines. It is known as Myristica fragrans in biological terms. This herb due to its ushna i.e. hot potency is being used to treat the problem of loose stools. It helps in binding the loose fecal matter and also helps in regularizing the peristaltic movements. This is also helpful in promoting the digestive activities andhence is effective in ingestion and other digestive anomalies.

Kutaj – One of the most commonly used herb in ayurveda that is very frequently being used in treating the diarrhea cases. Botanically it is known as Holarrhena antidysentrica. The main activity of the herb is to absorb the extra amount of water from the intestines. This helps in making the stool more firm and solid.