Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal problems are infrequent in dogs, but can be very difficult to manage. Constipation lasting more than 24 hours and excessive diarrhoea (or faeces containing blood) require veterinary opinion in the first instance. Laxatives should only be used under veterinary advice when more sinister reasons for constipation have been ruled-out. If your dog has persistently soft faeces, irritable bowel, or diarrhoea following a course of antibiotics, an animal probiotic (such as Protexin or Paw Digesticare) can help restore the normal balance of bacteria in the bowel and hopefully return the faeces to normal.