How to Naturally Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

It's important to know that diarrhea is not an illness but a symptom of any number of problems that are interrupting the function of the large intestine.It is also important to identify the cause as trying to just suppress this symptom will only bring about short lived, temporary relief which may cause long term health implications. Once identified, different causes will require different treatments.
Diarrhea can be mild and self limiting, or very debilitating and even fatal. It may or may not be accompanied by gas and abdominal discomfort. If your dog is still happy, with good energy level, and doesn't refuse water an acute episode of diarrhea may be the body's attempt at internal cleansing and purging. If however the diarrhea persists for more than a few days, contains blood, if there is associated vomiting, your dog is becoming increasingly lethargic, and refuses to drink, please seek the advice from your veterinarian as soon as possible. With each passing day of chronic diarrhea nutrients are lost in the stool, which lowers your dog's general vitality. Your dog may need to go on an IV for loss of fluids immediately if this is the case.
Causes and Contributing factors to diarrhea
A dog with chronic diarrhea and gas, and accompanying skin problems may be suffering from a food allergy. Frequent offenders are preservatives (ethoxyquin, propylene glycol), artificial flavouring and coloring, dyes, salt, sugar, fungi, bacteria, germs all found in commercial dog foods (read more about What's Really in Your Dogs Food article). Most common foods that may cause allergy include: beef, beef by-products, corn and corn oil, fish, turkey, pork, ham, cows milk (lactose intolerance), yeast, eggs, wheat or any food containing these. Please note that all commercial tinned food and biscuits, treats all contain sugar, salt, corn and wheat. Unless diet is strictly addressed, ongoing diarrhea may continue presenting.
Consider also the following contributing factors diarrhea may be due to: 
• stress and anxiety 
• over eating 
• high fat diet 
• vaccinations (due to meat extract that certain vaccines are grown in, thus long term leading to sensitivities and autoimmune disorders) 
• undiagnosed IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) 
• leaky gut syndrome (intestinal dysbiosis/ hyper permeability) 
• a foreign body ingestion 
• gastritis, colitis (intestinal inflammation) 
• the pancreas and/or liver failing to produce enzymes properly or sufficiently 
• food poisoning 
• excess vitamin C 
• bacteria, virus (i.e. parvovirus, distemper) 
• parasites i.e. worms 
• drug related complication (most drugs are residual and are never completely eliminated as in the waste from food but are stored up in the body) 
• side effect of certain drugs (i.e. antibiotics) 
• liver disease
• pancreatitis, 
• stomach ulcer 
• cancer 
• could also indicate that the liver and kidneys are overwhelmed with toxins that they are unable to process which leads to purging i.e. diarrhea.


Helpful suggestions to relieve diarrhea 
The most beneficial initial step is to put your dog on a liquid fast. Withhold all solid food and only allow a liquid diet consisting of juices (i.e. apple juice is very healing in diarrhea), broths, and filtered water. If you suspect your dog's diarrhea is due to an infection, you can add colloidal silver to his drinking water. The reason for not feeding further is that a dog's digestive system has a gastrocolic reflex. This means that the colon will empty as the stomach fills. Thus, to stop the colon from emptying and break this cycle of diarrhea, its best to stop ingesting food (or only as little as possible). In most cases, dogs instinctively will refuse food when they are unwell. By fasting, the irritated digestive system is given a chance to rest and heal. Slippery elm is highly nutritious, very soothing and healing to irritated mucous membranes.
Slippery Elm bark powder can heal and reduce the frequency of diarrhea in dogs quickly and naturally. It relieves internal inflammations, protects against infection, stimulates new cell growth, and causes swollen irritated tissue to contract-it has an affinity for the digestive tract where it acts as an astringent, therefore particularly indicated for treating diarrhea. It normalizes intestinal function, is rich in protein, trace minerals, and is easy for your dog to digest, 
Directions: Combine ¼ cup slippery elm powder with 2 tablespoons acidophilus powder (good bacteria for the gut that needs to be reestablished) and 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt (source of more minerals that have been lost due to the diarrhea). Add enough water to make a runny syrup which you can feed to your dog either by spoon, syringe or dropper. Give approximately 1 tablespoon per 5kg of your dog's body weight, every 2-3 hours in an acute situation. You can sweeten the mixture with some raw organic (unprocessed) honey for taste. In occasional diarrhea you can add the mixture with plenty of water to your dog's daily meals. Once his bowels have returned to normal, reduce the frequency and stop 
Fiber supplements such as (apple) pectin, psyllium husks can help bind and relieve diarrhea. With psyllium husks 1-2 teaspoons with very little water (or apple juice) is effective. Grated green apple (no skin) left to brown for a few minutes, (sweetened with honey if necessary) is also good at controlling diarrhea.
Chamomile tea is soothing, healing and relaxing to both the digestive and nervous system. Chamomile would particularly be indicated if your dog's diarrhea is due to stress and anxiety, and if there is accompanying abdominal discomfort and gas. Make a strong brew using two (organic) teabags, or a teaspoon loose leaf. Pour half cup of boiling water, cover and seep for 10 minutes. Once it has cooled and is just warm, you many add a little manuka honey to sweeten and taste. You may syringe (or use dropper) and slowly give to your dog this way. Yarrow is another herb which is excellent for controlling diarrhea.
For management of chronic or recurrent diarrhea, in addition to concurrently using supportive supplements that address the cause, the following recipe may be helpful: 
Gently boil together 50% white potato, 50% sweet potato, and a slice of turnip. For flavour, mix in with boiled chicken or lamb. This recipe can be given for longer periods to help ease diarrhea. 
Once your dog is showing signs of recovery, reintroduce solid food gradually and in smaller amounts. The Recovery Broth for Dogs recipe would be beneficial and gently healing at this stage. 
Always ensure your dog has access to sufficient water and monitor his recovery closely. In most cases, dogs recover quite well after a period of fasting and bounce back with even more vitality. If however, your dogs diarrhea continues and you are unable to identify a cause please check with your holistic veterinarian to rule out any more serious health implications.

French Bulldogs Descriptions

Description :
This is a sturdy little Bulldog with large, erect, rounded, bat ears, a flat, powerful muzzle and a pug nose. The square flat head is not as massive as the English Bulldog's. The forehead is rounded. Height doesn't matter as long as the dog is well balanced. The height at the withers should be approximately the same as the length from withers to tail set. The dog should be pear-shaped, with the shoulders wider than the tail area. The short, soft, easy-care coat comes in brindle, fawn, white and combinations of brindle or fawn with white. The skin is soft and fairly loose, making the dog very pleasant to pet. The prominent round eyes are dark colored and the bite is undershot. The tail is either straight or cork-screw.

Temperament :
The French Bulldog is a pleasant, easy care companion. A very playful and affectionate dog. Sweet and absolutely hilarious; they have a very comical personality and love to clown around. It is bright and easygoing. Curious and alert. The Frenchie gets along fairly well with strangers and other animals, but he is often bonds strongly to one person. They play well with other dogs; some males may be dog aggressive, while others get along with other dogs just fine. This breed needs companionship and will not thrive without it. The Frenchie cannot be owned and ignored. They are fairly willful, but can be trained if the owner is patient. They respond to patient, consistent training that DOES NOT include hitting or harsh jerking. They are clean, and companionable, enthusiastic and sometimes do not know when to quite, but they are not yappy and loud. This breed does best with older considerate children. Frenchies are easy going to show. This breed may drool and slobber; however a good percentage of them do not. This little dog is also a ruthless hunter of mice!

Health problems :
French Bulldogs are prone to eye and respiratory problems. If too overweight, the French Bulldog may have trouble breathing, because of a swollen abdomen. They may wheeze, snore and be gassy. It is said breed can not swim because of his physique, so be very careful around swimming pools, however some French Bulldog owners have reported that their dogs can indeed swim. Sometimes bitches must deliver by Cesarean section because of the puppies' large heads. Potential purchasers should be aware that these are high maintenance dogs and you can expect your vet bills can be big.

Living condition :
Frenchies are sensitive to temperature extremes. Overheating this dog may cause heat stroke. They prefer cooler climates. This breed is good for apartment life. They can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

American Bulldogs Descriptions

Descriptions :
The American Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and swifter than its English counterpart. Some individuals are reportedly able to leap six or more feet into the air. The American Bulldog is a very muscular, sturdy dog with a large, powerful head and jaws. He is very strong, but agile and light on his feet. The chest is wide and the muscular neck tapers from shoulders to head. The neck may have a slight dewlap. The head is square and broad with muscular cheeks and a furrow between the rounded eyes. The strong muzzle is shaped like a box. The stop is sharply defined and deep. The teeth should meet in a tight undershot, even or scissors bite. A variety of ear types are acceptable including rose, half-pricked and pendant. Though some people crop the ears, uncropped ears are preferred in the American Bulldog Breeders Association Standard. Any eye color is permitted, but black eye rims are preferred on white dogs. The nose is black or grizzle. In black-nosed dogs, the lips should also be black, though some pink is permitted. The lips should be loose. The heavy-boned front legs should be strong and very straight. The hindquarters should be very broad and muscular. The low-set tail begins thick at the base and then tapers to a point. The short, harsh coat comes in combinations of solid or varying degrees of white, all shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan. The sturdy and powerful, yet compact frame, is characteristically stockier and heavier boned in the males and more refined in the females.

Temperament :
The American Bulldog is a brave and determined, but not hostile dog. Alert and self-confident, this breed genuinely loves children. It is known for its acts of heroism towards its master. These dogs have fought wild dogs, bulls and even fire. It is said "fighting off one of these dogs is like fighting an animal that possesses an alligator's head and a python's body." Yet when called off by their handler, they immediately obey. No wonder they are said to have "true grit, true devotion and true love." They have strong protective instincts, and need a firm, confident, consistent pack leader. Well-socialize and obedience train them at an early age, to prevent them from becoming reserved with strangers. Without that strong minded pack leader who can tell the dog what is expected of them, they may be aggressive with other dogs. They need to be around people and know their place in their pack to be truly happy. This breed tends to drool and slobber. Without enough daily mental and physical exercise they will become high strung and may become hard to handle.

Living conditions :
The American Bulldog will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.

Types of Bulldogs

There are actually several different types of bulldogs. Many people assume there is just one type of bulldog but there are actual there different breeds that go by that name. These breeds are the American, the French, and the English bulldog. As you will learn these breeds are very different from each other despite similar sounding names.

English Bulldog

This is the classic bulldog that most people are referring to when they talk about bulldogs. This bulldog originated in England and has a large broad head and a wide stance with short legs. It comes in a variety of coat colors and the adult weighs about 50 pounds. Their ears droop over slightly at the tips.

French Bulldog

The French bulldog is believed to have been derived from the English bulldogs. It is believed that over two hundred years ago, lace workers from England went to France looking for work. When they went to France they took bulldog runts with them.

Eventually the French fell in love with this smaller version of the bulldog and it took off in popularity. The most unique feature of the French bulldog is the "bat like" ears. The ears are wide at the base and come to a point quickly. The ears are short so they stand up, as opposed to those of the English bulldog which droop over. The French bulldog weighs at most 28 pounds, which is half the size of the English bulldog.

The French bulldog used to be a very fashionable dog to be seen with. Everyone from French prostitutes to the Russian royal family owned this type of bulldog.

American Bulldog

The American bulldog is the largest of the three types and there are acutely two different American bulldogs, the Johnson type and the Scott type. They are named after the breeders who developed them.

This bulldog is the most athletic one. It has much longer legs, a narrower head, a more athletic body than the English.

American bulldogs weigh anywhere between 70 to 125 pounds, and stand 20 to 28 inches tall at the shoulders.

In summary the American is larger than the English, which is larger than the French bulldog.

As you can see there are three different types of bulldogs, the English, the French, and the American. Each one has unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. So the next time anyone talks about bulldogs, ask them to be more specific about which one they are referring to.

The Bulldog - Ferocious Or Gentle?

Here is a dog that fools most people. Just because Bulldogs look ferocious, people think they are ferocious. Usually just the opposite is true. Bulldogs today are among the gentlest dogs you could own.

This was not true hundreds of years ago. In those days, these sturdy dogs were tough and vicious. They had to be. Those who were weak or without courage did not survive.

You might be wondering how the name Bulldog came to he used and why the dog is built the way he is. Both came as a result of a cruel "sport" called bull-baiting, which was popular in the middle ages. It was something like the bull-fighting of today in Spain and Mexico - only instead of a man fighting the bull, a dog did.

In bull-baiting a dog was put in a ring with a ferocious bull for a fight of survival. The dog needed a strong jaw for a good bite. And once he got a good bite, he needed a short nose and a huge chest so that he could breathe while holding tight to the bull with his mouth. Usually if a dog got a good solid bite he would defeat the bull. But, the bull had weapons, too. Many a dog was crushed with a hoof or gored with a horn.

By 1835, when bull-baiting was outlawed in England, this bull-fighting dog had been developed to look like the Bulldog of today. The humane law that stopped bull-baiting almost caused the extinction of the breed. In those days, dogs were rarely kept as pets - if a dog was fed, he had to work. And, since these dogs could no longer be used for bull-baiting, many owners no longer bred their dogs. Fortunately, some noblemen kept their hounds as watchdogs, and the breed was able to survive.