My senior dog has diarrhea, gas, and is subdued. Can I give milk?

These signs could be compatible with a colitis, which is an inflammation of the last part of the colon, usually related to dietary indiscretion. As a first approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Based on the history and his age, I would recommend having boo examined by a veterinarian and having his blood tested to see if there are any systemic changes that would explain his symptoms. I would also recommend starting a bland diet as outlined below. The sooner Boo is seen the better. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular diet.

I am very sorry to hear that Sadie was given some milk by your 3 year old. I also have a 3 year old and a dog, it's a very interesting combination to be sure. The milk will most likely not cause anything more then some diarrhoea. Since you have only noticed a few episodes I would continue to monitor Sadie at home. Provide a bland diet of boiled boneless chicken breast and white rice and plenty of fresh water. Cooked skinless sweet potato can also be helpful for diarrhoea. If the episodes continue, if Sadie becomes depressed, passes large amounts of blood, vomits, or seems very uncomfortable take Sadie to see his vet. Because milk can have a high fat content, one potential complication of Sadie ingesting it, would be pancreatitis. If you notice the above signs it's possible Sadie has pancreatitis. I hope this answer was helpful and more importantly that Sadie feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Many cases of diarrhea can be directly linked back to the diet or an imbalance of GI bacteria. If Mason has been on the same food for a while now, I would initiate a bland diet as outlined below and then transition back to the regular dog food 3 days after the diarrhea resolves. If he is still having diarrhea, I would consider switching to a low fat / GI / sensitive stomach formula such as Science Diet or Royal Canin. As for the gums, just because he does not have much tartar does not mean he doesn't have bacteria in his mouth. He may have a larger than normal bacteria population in his mouth causing the bad breath. If he has not had a dental cleaning ever or its been a while, I would recommend having a veterinarian professionally clean his teeth to help with the bad breath. Products such as Plaque Off, Oravet and CET toothpaste can help with the bad breath as well as help prevent tartar formation. If the diet change does not help, I would consider adding in a probiotic such as Purina Fortiflora. If he continues to have diarrhea after switching the diets and the probiotic does not work, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Mason so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further! GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm then transition to dog food

Milk curd and other dairy products can worsen diarrhea. If you wish to give a bland meal for the diarrhea, boiled rice and chicken is easiest on the stomach and easy to digest. You will also want to return to Myra's old food until the diarrhea resolves, and then gradually change her to the new food over a period of 7-9 days to avoid GI upset.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Bruno is very cute! I think you are saying that Bruno doesn't eat his dog food well but likes milk? Dogs and cats are actually lactose intolerant and ingesting milk isn't an appropriate diet for an almost adult lab. Bruno needs to eat a commercial adult dog food. If he doesn't like what you are feeding him: add water or a little canned food with or without water or change brands of food. I am not sure based on your post if his appetite change is a new thing. If it is a sudden change then I would consider having your Vet exam in him to see if he is sick. https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/milk/ Have a great day!

Unfortunately it's illegal for us to recommend using any OTC drugs in dogs without see them in person. I can give you a home remedy to see if that helps Brutus. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.