Bowel management for paralyzed dogs
Paralyzed dogs have varying degrees of bowel control following an injury. Completely paralyzed dogs with no deep pain perception in their hind legs typically have a functioning digestive system but no awareness or control over when a bowel movement might occur. This is referred to as fecal incontinence.
In theory this means that a paralyzed dog's digestive system can continue to function in a healthy manner without the need for manual intervention. However, in practice, incontinent dogs require careful management in order to maintain a healthy and clean dog and home.
In theory this means that a paralyzed dog's digestive system can continue to function in a healthy manner without the need for manual intervention. However, in practice, incontinent dogs require careful management in order to maintain a healthy and clean dog and home.
Diet and timing
Diet and consistent feeding times are two of the best ways to minimise and manage your dog's bowel movements.
High quality dog food with mostly raw meats and little to no 'fillers' will help reduce the amount of waste produced by your dog. Cutting down the volume is the first step to a more manageable situation.
Secondly, timing is a great way to control when a bowel movement will occur. It's not an exact science, but generally speaking, you can normally expect some action within an hour or so of feeding. This is the danger zone when you might want to keep an eye on your pooch! Sometimes a walk around in their wheels or other movement around the back yard will prompt a natural bowel movement. This also means that you can adjust your feeding times to manage when the bowel movement is more likely to happen (ie. avoiding feeding before car trips, bed time, unsupervised time at home).
High quality dog food with mostly raw meats and little to no 'fillers' will help reduce the amount of waste produced by your dog. Cutting down the volume is the first step to a more manageable situation.
Secondly, timing is a great way to control when a bowel movement will occur. It's not an exact science, but generally speaking, you can normally expect some action within an hour or so of feeding. This is the danger zone when you might want to keep an eye on your pooch! Sometimes a walk around in their wheels or other movement around the back yard will prompt a natural bowel movement. This also means that you can adjust your feeding times to manage when the bowel movement is more likely to happen (ie. avoiding feeding before car trips, bed time, unsupervised time at home).
Active vs passive management
Beyond diet and timing, there are two broad ways to proactively manage your dog's bowels and minimise accidents:
Passive - Passive bowel management refers to the use of diapers/nappies and towels to contain unexpected bowel movements. This is fairly self explanatory and is the same approach we use for our human children. The advantages are greatly reduced chances of an accident escaping onto your new rug or couch.
Active - You can 'express' a dog's bowel so that he poop's based on your schedule. It's a little more 'hands on' than the diaper option, but it has the distinct advantage that your dog can scoot around the house with a very low chance of any accidents within the following hours. There are a few methods, but basically you use something (ice, wet wipe, gloved finger) to stimulate the anus until a movement occurs. The stimulation is on par with a slightly more vigorous, and continued cleaning with a wet wipe. Most fecal incontinent dogs can be expressed morning and night and enjoy a full day without a diaper or any accidents.
Passive - Passive bowel management refers to the use of diapers/nappies and towels to contain unexpected bowel movements. This is fairly self explanatory and is the same approach we use for our human children. The advantages are greatly reduced chances of an accident escaping onto your new rug or couch.
Active - You can 'express' a dog's bowel so that he poop's based on your schedule. It's a little more 'hands on' than the diaper option, but it has the distinct advantage that your dog can scoot around the house with a very low chance of any accidents within the following hours. There are a few methods, but basically you use something (ice, wet wipe, gloved finger) to stimulate the anus until a movement occurs. The stimulation is on par with a slightly more vigorous, and continued cleaning with a wet wipe. Most fecal incontinent dogs can be expressed morning and night and enjoy a full day without a diaper or any accidents.
Managing diarrhea
When diarrhea strikes life becomes very, very difficult for everyone. Paralyzed dogs generally find themselves on antibiotics and other medications more frequently than able bodied dogs. This often leads to an upset stomach and the runs.
Reoccurring diarrhea can also be be a common problems for dogs with pancreatitis, hyperlipidaemia, food intolerances, diabetes and IBS.
The following advice relate to dogs where the cause of the diarrhea is known and it is more an issue of management while your dog is treated for other health problems.
In most cases, if diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours you should contact your vet for professional advice. Similarly, if diarrhea is also combined with vomiting, signs of abdominal pain, or it contains blood, give you vet a call.
Here are a few tips for managing diarrhea in dogs:
Reoccurring diarrhea can also be be a common problems for dogs with pancreatitis, hyperlipidaemia, food intolerances, diabetes and IBS.
The following advice relate to dogs where the cause of the diarrhea is known and it is more an issue of management while your dog is treated for other health problems.
In most cases, if diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours you should contact your vet for professional advice. Similarly, if diarrhea is also combined with vomiting, signs of abdominal pain, or it contains blood, give you vet a call.
Here are a few tips for managing diarrhea in dogs:
- Boiled chicken and rice: Feed boiled white meat chicken and white rice (no skin or bones). This is the standard advice provided by most vets for the initial treatment for all dogs.
- Probiotic dog treats: Probiotics are a great long term aid to boost the good bacteria in the gut, and avoid reoccurring stomach issues. Probiotics are one of those products where price is generally a good indication of quality. Look for products like this one with a high CFU count.
- Single protein diet: Many people have reported that SK-D200 Crocodile and Tapioca dog meat does wonders for dogs with diarrhea. Currently this particular brand is only available in Australia. The theory is that dogs’ stomachs are able to more easily digest a single protein type rather than the complex mixtures found in most dog foods. This novel, single protein dry food is a great alternative for those in the USA.
- Water: Ensure your dog to drink lots of water to maintain hydration. If your dog needs some encouragement we suggest adding some pedialyte to add some flavour and bonus electrolytes.