Holidays and intestinal disorders in dogs
We look forward to each holiday period with enthusiasm. Whether you're hyper-active on vacation or more of a royal gland, whether you're at the sea or more of the mountains, whether you're an international adventurer or rather a fan of all-inclusive clubs, we all have one thing in common: vacations are often synonymous with small digestive disorders. We change scenery, rhythm, we taste new things and we overindulge, we have less privacy than at home…. all this influences our digestion and our intestines which can quickly be in “disorder”. Unsurprisingly, our dogs can be prone to the same digestive issues during the holidays. There are a few things to look out for to be sure your dog is healthy.
Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation… clues to your dog's health
It is often said that our pets only lack speech. My dog doesn't speak but when it's time for the bowl or when she's about to do something stupid, I can tell you that I understand her very well. It is when they are sick that they clearly fail to speak. It is never easy to know if your animal is in good shape or not and if he is in pain. You have to be a keen observer to detect a problem. Looking at his poop is often very revealing. It is a very good indicator of the state of health of his dog. Unusual colored droppings, liquid, repeated stools or on the contrary an absence of stools are clues that should trigger alerts for you.
The dog is an animal that loves its habits. On vacation, I really advise you to try to keep some of his familiar cues: meal times, pee break times, morning cuddles... These changes in habits can indeed affect his stress. and cause some intestinal disorders. Vomiting, diarrhea and constipation in your dog should alert you.
When you're sick, you don't go to the doctor at the first symptom. You wait a day or two to see how it evolves by adapting your daily life a little: you stay warm, you go to bed earlier, you eat soup, swallow a few doses of paracetamol… hoping that it passes. On the dog side, I do not recommend self-medication. They do not support our medicines and especially our dosages. If in doubt, tell your veterinarian, who will judge, according to the symptoms, whether to wait a little to see how it evolves or whether to come and consult quickly. Going to the vet is often painful for the wallet... Your vacation can quickly change pace: finish the small restaurants, fly away the budget sarong and flip-flops, goodbye outings and activities... But not for everyone. And yes, there are smart guys! To be certain of always being able to meet the health expenses of their pets, some have opted for dog health insurance. You do not know what it is ? Have you ever dared to take the plunge? Sour offers insurance adapted to your dog's breed and your budget. Agria Sur-Mesure allows you, for example, to select your own insurance criteria to adapt your cover to the needs of your animal and adapt your price to your budget. Find out more on their site.
On vacation, watch what your dog eats
Vacation time is often a time of relaxation and freedom. We taste the specialties of the area, we overindulge and we eat at slightly off hours. Watch out for your dog! Keep a close eye on what he eats and how much to avoid gastric problems or worse, an emergency appointment with the veterinarian. Some foods are dangerous and even very dangerous for him. Let's take stock through several holiday experiences.
Bénédicte had organized a barbecue with her bungalow neighbors. The atmosphere was very nice. Everyone had brought something to eat. Lucky, sound beagle, made sweet eyes all evening long for each guest to have a little piece of this or that. He ended up stealing a pack of raw sausages left in a bag by a guest who didn't think his dog could be a petty thief… Lucky didn't stop there, he also lapped up the cocktail glasses abandoned on the edge of the terrace. As a result, he was sick for a few days. Bénédicte had to take him to a veterinarian near the campsite for gastric lavage and a few days of observation. She was very afraid for her dog who finally got away with it and who remains, despite that, a super greedy doggie.
Lucie, too, had to take her dog to the vet while on vacation. Last summer, they went to the seaside with their family. Everything was fine, but on returning from the beach, Bitsi began to have diarrhoea. By dint of playing in the waves, he had ingested too much salt water, which made him sick. My dog, good foodie that she is, eats everything and anything on the beach: seaweed, mussels, live and dead crabs, leftover sandwiches, apples... I can't take my eyes off her because she could quickly surrender sick. Once in the mountains, she had eaten too much snow… In the evening by the fireside, I heard her stomach make funny noises… The poor thing was sick all night. I put her on the diet for a day and a half and everything was back to normal.
Laure's dog also fell ill during their vacation. She went on vacation in the Jura with her dog. It's a great dog-friendly destination with plenty of waterfalls to discover. His dog, a water fan, took full advantage of it until he fell ill. It was already cool during the All Saints holidays and he simply caught cold for another swim. Result: diarrhea and vomiting. Poor Loulou…
Although these symptoms are often mild and disappear after several days, they should still be closely monitored. If in doubt, always seek the advice of your veterinarian. So that the holidays with your dog remain unforgettable moments, keep an eye on your little companion, especially if he is a big foodie. He will quickly be tempted to nibble on anything lying around: a piece of sandwich infested with ants, egg peelings, leftover spoiled yoghurt, a piece of apple full of sand…. Also beware of toxic foods such as potatoes (do not share your fries with your dog!!!), chocolate or even grapes (watch out for walks in the vineyards).