At Tomlyn Veterinary Science, we have solution-driven products that solve real problems for pet parents. Anyone who has ever come home to a disaster zone in their spare room, or has been woken up in the middle of the night by a dog desperately asking to go out, knows that loose stools are a problem. To help address this, we recently launched Loose Stool Remedy – Firm Fast.

Before taking a closer look at how Loose Stool Remedy works, let’s understand a bit more about loose stools. They occur when there is a disruption in the water balance in the gut. Either absorption of water across the gut wall has been altered, or the cells of the gut excrete more water than normal. Either way, the result is too much water present in the lumen of the intestine, and therefore in the stool.

Occasional loose stools can be caused by a variety of factors. Situational and environmental stressors such as boarding, travel, visits to the veterinarian or groomer, new additions to the household and loud noises that can accompany parties, thunderstorms, and fireworks, very commonly cause loose stools. Dietary factors such as feeding a raw diet, dietary indiscretion, consumption of human food, changes in brand or life-stage of food, or switching from a dry to a canned diet can also cause intermittent loose stools. Changes in stool consistency can also occur as a side effect of medications.

Loose Stool Remedy – Firm Fast contains two ingredients that help firm up loose stools. Kaolin is a clay-like substance that works locally in the gut to help soothe the intestinal lining, decrease excessive gut motility, and absorb water. Pectin is a large molecular weight compound that also absorbs water. With two ingredients that absorb water, stools are firmed quickly. Enterococcus faecium is a specific strain of probiotic bacteria that has been widely investigated for its beneficial effects in a variety of species. This probiotic helps normalize stool quality by reintroducing normal flora into the gut.

How quickly does Loose Stool Remedy – Firm Fast work? If given every 8 hours as according to package instructions, most pet parents will see results within a few days, if not sooner. Should loose stools persist longer than a few days, pet parents should seek medical care for their pet from a licensed veterinarian.

With pumpkin spice popping up everywhere, the holidays will be here before we know it! With all that cheer comes loud noises, unfamiliar people, and lots of snacks – all of which can make loose stools likely to appear. Whether your preference is the chicken-flavored gel or the beef-flavored chewable tablet, having some Firm Fast on hand can help solve the pesky problem of occasional loose stools before they put a damper on your holiday fun!