Clostridia in dogs: symptoms and tips for treatment
Clostridia are very often the cause of unpleasant digestive problems in dogs. According to estimates, Clostridia are responsible for diarrheal diseases in dogs in about 20 percent of all cases.
In this article, we will explain how infection with Clostridium occurs in dogs and how it is manifested. In addition, you will learn about the natural options that have proven to be effective as a support in the veterinary treatment of dogs with Clostridia.
Clostridia in dogs: what is it?
Clostridia are extremely resistant bacteria. In total, more than 100 different species belong to the genus. As environmental germs, they are spread almost everywhere. Some Clostridia, for example, are a normal part of the intestinal flora of higher organisms such as dogs or humans.
It is therefore initially quite normal and completely unproblematic that Clostridia live in the small intestine of the dog. However, if the intestinal flora of the animal is out of balance, there will be a proliferation of Clostridia in the dog's intestine.
To multiply, clostridia form spores in the dog's digestive tract. This produces toxins which, in combination with the increased number of clostridia, cause various problems and in the worst case can even be life-threatening.
How does a dog get infected with Clostridia?
In addition to an increase due to an imbalance in the intestinal flora, dogs can also become infected with Clostridia orally. The bacteria can enter the dog's body through contact with the infected faeces of a conspecific, the consumption of contaminated soil or even through dog food contaminated with Clostridium.
With regard to nutrition, feeding raw meat is a particularly high risk. As studies have shown, this often has a very high contamination level with germs, which makes barking for dogs a source of pathogens such as Clostridia that should not be underestimated.
However, whether the bacteria actually spread and cause digestive problems in affected dogs is influenced by a number of factors.
Clostridia can multiply very easily in dogs, especially in the following cases:
- After prolonged treatment with antibiotics
- For dogs with a weak immune system
- After a feed change
- For dogs exposed to excessive stress
- If other bacterial infections are already present
How to recognize Clostridia in dogs?
Clostridia can cause numerous complaints in a dog and some of them can even have very serious consequences. Particularly often affected dogs suffer from slimy and sometimes bloody diarrhoea. Apart from this, flatulence, stomach pain and frequent vomiting are typical symptoms of Clostridia in dogs.
However, it is not possible to say in general terms what consequences the intestinal bacteria have for affected dogs and over what period of time they become noticeable as a result of the complaints mentioned. If the course of the disease is mild, it is possible that the symptoms will disappear after just one week.
Apart from this, however, Clostridia can also cause chronic problems in dogs, which can regularly lead to severe diarrhoea. If this is the case, the affected quadrupeds will experience progressive weight loss and a significant deterioration in their general condition.
How is Clostridia diagnosed in dogs?
If your dog has diarrhoea and you fear that it may be caused by Clostridia, it is advisable to visit your vet as soon as possible. The vet can examine a sample of your dog's faeces and get to the bottom of your suspicion.
Besides Clostridium, diarrhoea in dogs can, of course, have many other causes. In order to determine the correct treatment measures, it is therefore important to first determine the disease responsible for the symptoms.
How are Clostridia treated in dogs?
Which treatment measures need to be taken depends mainly on the severity of the symptoms that Clostridia cause in the dog. If there has already been a severe loss of fluid due to diarrhoea, the weakened quadruped may well need an infusion.
Apart from this, the vet will probably prescribe antibiotics to your dog to get the bacteria under control.
In addition, experience shows that a high-fibre diet has a positive effect on the course of the disease in the majority of dogs suffering from clostridia. This is probably primarily because the dietary fibre in the diet promotes intestinal health.
If you want to counteract the symptoms caused by Clostridium in your dog, it is therefore important that you choose the right dog food. Belfor Landgut-Schmaus (Farm Menu) is just the right food for this purpose. The easily digestible dog food with insect protein from the larvae of Hermetia illucens (black soldier flies) is easily digestible and therefore ideally suited for dogs with Clostridia.
Shiimun Gastro as support against Clostridia in dogs
In addition to veterinary treatment, a dietary supplement with Shiimun Gastro can be useful for dogs with Clostridia. Shiimun Gastro is a natural preparation with shiitake mushrooms and other high-quality ingredients such as turmeric, aniseed and sage.
Thanks to its special composition, Shiimun Gastro can help reduce the digestive problems associated with infection with Clostridium, such as diarrhoea, vomiting and flatulence in dogs.
As Shiimun Gastro does not contain any artificial additives and instead consists exclusively of natural ingredients, the dietary supplement for dogs with Clostridia is well tolerated and is not associated with any unnecessary strain on the already weakened organism.
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