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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
SEPT/OCT/NOV 2017
20 Years Emergency Veterinary Medicine Behind Us. ANIMAL PAWS BONDED & INSURED Nominated by National Animal Pet Sitting Association for 2015 for one of the Best Pet Sitting Services in the Nation. PETS ENJOY BEING HOME! Pet Sitting, LLC 17 Years of Loving Professional Pet Sitting Experience emai l: michele@animalpaws.net animalpaws.net Cell 908-963-0311 Vacations, daily dog walking, overnight stays, client education on animal care. We do transportation, give insulin injections, SQ fluids, dog hikes. Visit our Connection On-Line ad to view our video The CONNECTIONS Please call for FREE consultation. Last minute bookings for existing clients. (no late fee) O+ce: 908-234-0264 • 888-234-0394 • Fax: 908-234-2710 Web: countryplazalimo.com Email: cplimo@yahoo.com 24/7 by Appointment • Major Credit Cards Accepted Member of Limousine Association of New Jersey % % % % % % % % 2017 Lincoln Continental Country Plaza Limo Inc. Country Plaz 48 Main Street, PO Box 625, Peapack NJ 07977 Over 35 years of Car Transportation Service 2016 BMW 750 Series Airports, NYC, Local & Long Distance Transportation 2017 Lincoln Continental Car & Driver by the Hour for Local & Long Distance Transportation % % % % % % % % Diarrhea is characterized by frequent loose or liquid bowel movements. It can be caused by something as simple as a change in diet or a more serious illness or infection. Diarrhea may be sudden in onset and short in duration. It can also last for weeks to months or occur off and on. A single bout of diarrhea is generally not a cause for con- cern in dogs -- but if it persists for more than a day, it can lead to dehydration, or it may indicate an underlying health issue and should be checked out by a veterinarian. What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs? • Change in diet • Food intolerance • Ingestion of garbage or spoiled food • Ingestion of poisonous substances or toxic plant material • Ingestion of foreign body (for example, toy, rubber band, plastic bag, etc.) • Allergic reaction • Bacterial or viral infection • Internal parasites, such as round- worms, coccidia and giardia • Inflammatory bowel disease • Kidney or liver disease • Cancer or other tumors of the digestive tract • Certain medications • Colitis • Stress • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis What Are the General Symptoms of Diarrhea? Loose or liquid, frequent stools are the most common symptoms of diarrhea in dogs. Other signs include gas, blood or mucus in stool, changes in volume of stool and strain- ing to defecate. Lethargy, dehydration, fever, vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss and an increased urgency to defecate may also accompany diarrhea. If your dog’s diarrhea is black, he could be experiencing internal bleeding of the stom- ach or small intestine and should be exam- ined by a vet immediately. How Do I Treat Diarrhea? It is often recommended that you avoid giv- ing your dog any food for 12-24 hours while he’s experiencing diarrhea, but do provide plenty of fresh, clean water to stave off dehydration. Check with your veterinar- ian about the proper course of treatment for your dog’s specific case. Give boiled chicken or boiled chopped meat and long grain rice. If after a few days your dog seems better, go back to regular food a lit- tle amount at a time. When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet? Bring your dog to the vet if his diarrhea continues for more than a day, or if you observe lethargy, vomiting, fever, dark-col- ored or bloody stools, straining to defecate, decreased appetite or unexplained weight loss. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice your puppy has diarrhea, as it can be an important indicator of serious diseases in young dogs. What Can I Expect at the Vet’s Office? Your veterinarian will examine your dog for underlying illnesses and assess for dehydra- tion. He or she may take a stool sample to check for the presence of internal parasites, as well as conduct blood tests to identify a possible cause of the diarrhea. Other diagnostic tests might include radi- ographs, ultrasound, cultures, endoscopy and biopsy. The diagnostic tests performed and treatment recommended will depend on how long the diarrhea has been going on and the severity of your dog’s condition. Please always check with your regular veterinarian. Hope all had a wonderful summer. Enjoy the fall. My favorite time of the year! DIARRHEA IN DOGS By: Michele Patanio, Animal Paws Pet Sitting LLC 908-963-0311 animalpaws.net www.theconnectionsnj.com