I had this gut feeling that it would happen, especially after I started experimenting with homemade raw-diet meals for my dog. But no, it didn’t occur at home where I would have been prepared. Instead, it happened when we were miles away, right outside the hotel where we were staying.
The Unexpected Incident at the Park
Imagine my surprise when my dog, Bobo, suddenly got diarrhea while we were strolling in a park. There he was, chasing birds one minute and the next, he seemed confused and uncomfortable as he dealt with his sudden illness. It was fortunate that it happened in a tall grass area, making it somewhat easier to manage the situation. I quickly looked up emergency vet clinics nearby, just to be on the safe side, and luckily, found some doggy diapers that fit him.
Bobo’s New Look
You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen a German Shepherd in diapers. Bobo was quite a sight with his new accessory. Due to his condition, we had to cut our trip short and head back home. Thankfully, my business trip had just wrapped up, and our home was only a ninety-minute drive away.
Handling the Situation at Home
Even though the runs continued, Bobo was surprisingly upbeat. He wasn’t showing any signs of lethargy; in fact, he was lively enough to try and snatch a burger right off my plate! This led me to believe he might just be fine, and a wait-and-see approach could be enough.
What Was Causing Bobo’s Diarrhea?
The cause of Bobo’s diarrhea was a bit of a mystery initially. Once we got home and I removed his diaper, he immediately had an accident on my favorite house slippers. After cleaning up and mourning the loss of my comfy Birkenstocks, I called our vet, a good friend, to discuss Bobo’s condition. Despite being on a stable diet of premium kibble and raw ingredients, and showing no prior issues, we ruled out dietary changes as the cause of his diarrhea.
Bobo hadn’t ingested anything unusual either, as he wore a muzzle throughout our trip and is extremely well-trained. We also ruled out parasitic infections as he recovered quickly and showed no common symptoms like fever or lethargy.
The Likely Culprit: Stress and Environment Change
Our vet and I suspected that the change in environment and the stress of being in a busy city for the first time might have triggered temporary IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) in Bobo. Although he’s not typically an anxious dog, the overload of new sights, sounds, and smells was probably too much for him all at once.
Bobo’s Recovery
Thankfully, Bobo’s diarrhea lasted only a couple of days. I followed our vet’s advice and put him on a strict, bland diet while keeping a close eye on him. We also incorporated some doggy probiotics to help with his gut health.
The First 24 Hours Are Crucial
For the first 24 hours of his illness, Bobo was put on a fast to help his digestive system reset. After that, I began feeding him small portions of plain food like unseasoned chicken and rice, and turkey with potatoes. It turns out, he preferred chicken over everything else!
Although he isn’t a fan of Pedialyte, he managed to drink some along with plenty of fresh water. This simple regimen of fasting, a bland diet, and probiotics was our recipe for getting Bobo back to his happy, playful self.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
While Bobo’s case wasn’t severe, and he recovered within a few days, it’s essential to know when to seek urgent veterinary care. If your dog experiences more than three watery stools in 24 hours, it’s a sign that something more serious may be happening.
Don’t wait to see if your dog’s condition worsens if you notice symptoms like fresh blood in their stool or signs of lethargy, depression, or extreme anxiety. In such cases, immediate veterinary intervention is crucial to ensure their health and safety.
