Finding The Problem

Things are not always as they seem. Parasites can cause gastrointestinal problems. Some parasites shed in cycles so that one fecal check may be perfectly clear while another, just 1-2 weeks later may show something quite different. To make this a little more challenging, other diseases can manifest as gastrointestinal problems and bacterial overgrowths are not as uncommon as you may have heard. As always, your first stop, and perhaps second and third, should be to your vet's clinic. Once everything else has been ruled out, there are steps you can take to make life better for your dog.

What You Can Do

The first step is to make a diet change. Use one novel protein and one novel carbohydrate (grain or vegetable) for 8 weeks. These must be foods that your dog has never eaten before - not even one bite. The booklet, The Allergy Problem, discusses diet, supplements and much more.

Acidophilus helps to strengthen the digestive tract by adding "good-guy" bacteria to the existing, healthy bacteria population in the dog's gut. B-Complex vitamins play important roles for most body functions, including cells in the digestive tract and are helpful in improving appetite. Be sure that the diet provides enough Zinc because zinc responsive diarrhea can be associated with a poor diet.

Tannins (found in Antioxidant Booster) can be helpful in many ways, and helps some cases of diarrhea. Digestive Enzymes, Plant Digestive Enzymes, and Green Foods can benefit some dogs and may be a good adjunct to the correct diet. Remember that "correct" needs to be based on what a dog tolerates rather than on a certain belief system of what the dog "should" tolerate.

For Further Reading

Optimal Nutrition by Monica Segal

This book provides extended discussion, explanations and walks the reader through diet plans.

The Allergy Problem by Monica Segal
Solutions for dogs that suffer from food-related allergies.

Acidophilus Treatments for Persistent Diarrhea by Dr. D Gaon
Acidophilus can help control problem diarrhea

The Probiotic E. faecium Causes Problems by Dr. W Vahjen et al
Not all probiotics help. In fact, E. faecium (found in several probiotics) increases salmonella and campylobacter in healthy dogs

Bacteria in the Gut by Dr. RA Rastall
Acidophilus probiotics improve immune function

Get a 'Leg-ume' Up on a Healthy Diet by Fran Berger
Adding resistant starch, found in legumes, helps to clean the system

Diagnosis of Infectious Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats by Stanley Marks
A review of three bacteria that cause infectious diarrhea