Canine Meals Diarrhea Reasons & Answers

Pet food giving canine diarrhea is a commonplace drawback, ceaselessly stemming from irrelevant elements or nutritional adjustments. Working out the prospective reasons, from nutritional indiscretions to underlying well being problems, is the most important for efficient control. This information explores more than a few sides of figuring out, managing, and fighting canine diarrhea related to meals possible choices.

This complete information will delve into the intricacies of dog nutritional wishes and the way to navigate the complexities of canine food-related diarrhea. We’re going to read about the position of particular elements, discover other control methods, and speak about when veterinary intervention is vital. In the long run, we goal to equip you with the information to assist your bushy buddy regain digestive well being.

Table of Contents

Figuring out the Reasons of Diarrhea in Canine

Diarrhea in canines could be a distressing symptom, ceaselessly indicating an underlying factor requiring veterinary consideration. Working out the prospective reasons, from nutritional indiscretions to severe infections, is the most important for instructed analysis and remedy. Early intervention can save you dehydration and different headaches.An intensive figuring out of the reasons, signs, and severity of canine diarrhea lets in puppy house owners to make knowledgeable selections, operating collaboratively with veterinarians to verify the well-being in their dog partners.

Attainable Reasons of Canine Diarrhea

Quite a lot of elements can give a contribution to diarrhea in canines. Those elements span a variety of chances, from easy nutritional indiscretions to severe bacterial or parasitic infections. Figuring out the particular purpose is very important for efficient remedy.

  • Nutritional Elements: Adjustments in nutrition, corresponding to introducing new meals, over the top treats, or eating spoiled meals, can cause digestive disenchanted. Unexpected shifts in nutrition can disrupt the sophisticated steadiness of the canine’s intestine microbiome, resulting in diarrhea. Sluggish introductions of latest meals are very important to steer clear of such problems. Moreover, sure meals elements may also be problematic for some canines.

  • Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections, like the ones brought about by means of
    -Salmonella* or
    -E. coli*, can lead to acute diarrhea. Those infections ceaselessly manifest with different signs corresponding to vomiting, fever, and lethargy. Inflamed canines can unfold micro organism to others, so isolation is the most important.
  • Parasitic Infections: Parasitic infections, corresponding to the ones brought about by means of roundworms, hookworms, or giardia, are commonplace reasons of power diarrhea. Those parasites disrupt the intestinal lining, inflicting irritation and discomfort. Common deworming schedules can assist save you those infections.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Illness (IBD): Continual irritation of the intestines can result in power diarrhea, ceaselessly accompanied by means of vomiting, weight reduction, and lethargy. IBD is ceaselessly recognized via stool research, blood checks, and imaging. Nutritional control and medicine are commonplace remedy approaches.
  • Pancreatitis: Irritation of the pancreas can manifest with serious diarrhea, ceaselessly accompanied by means of vomiting, lethargy, and stomach ache. This situation necessitates instant veterinary consideration.
  • Pancreatic Enzyme Deficiency: A deficiency in pancreatic enzymes can impede the canine’s talent to digest meals correctly, leading to power diarrhea. Supplemental enzymes are ceaselessly prescribed.
  • Meals Allergic reactions: Sure meals elements, like wheat, red meat, or dairy merchandise, can cause allergies, resulting in digestive issues, together with diarrhea. Figuring out the allergen and adjusting the nutrition are the most important for managing those allergic reactions.

Function of Meals Elements in Inducing Diarrhea

Sure meals elements can worsen the canine’s digestive machine, resulting in diarrhea. This inflammation stems from an incapability to correctly digest particular parts.

  • Prime-Fats Diets: Prime-fat diets may also be tricky for some canines to digest, probably inflicting diarrhea and/or vomiting. A balanced nutrition is the most important for optimum digestive well being.
  • Sure Proteins: Some proteins, specifically those who aren’t readily digested, can give a contribution to digestive disenchanted. Those come with proteins present in some meats, beans, or different plant-based resources. Other canines have various tolerances for more than a few proteins.
  • Synthetic Components: Some synthetic colours, flavors, and preservatives might worsen the intestinal lining, resulting in diarrhea. Those are ceaselessly present in processed meals.
  • Deficient High quality Elements: Meals containing spoiled or low-quality elements could cause digestive misery.

Examples of Commonplace Canine Meals Elements Related to Diarrhea

Sure elements are ceaselessly implicated in instances of canine diarrhea.

  • Sure Grains: Some grains, corresponding to wheat, corn, or soy, may also be problematic for some canines, inflicting digestive problems.
  • Dairy Merchandise: Dairy merchandise, together with milk and cheese, could cause diarrhea in canines which can be lactose illiberal.
  • Meat By way of-Merchandise: Meat by-products, specifically if of deficient high quality, might comprise contaminants or ingredients which can be exhausting for canines to digest.
  • Prime Sugar Content material: Meals excessive in sugar can disenchanted the steadiness of the intestine micro organism, resulting in diarrhea.

Severity and Period of Diarrhea Signs

The severity and period of diarrhea signs can range relying at the underlying purpose.

Reason Severity Period Signs
Nutritional indiscretion Delicate Brief (1-2 days) Unfastened stools, occasional vomiting
Bacterial an infection Average to serious Acute (2-5 days) Unfastened, watery stools, fever, vomiting, lethargy
Parasitic an infection Delicate to reasonable Continual (can final weeks or months) Unfastened stools, weight reduction, stomach discomfort
Inflammatory bowel illness (IBD) Average to serious Continual (lasting weeks or months) Common unfastened stools, weight reduction, vomiting
Pancreatitis Serious Acute (1-3 days) Serious vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, stomach ache

Nutritional Concerns for Canine with Diarrhea

Nutritional adjustments are the most important for managing and resolving diarrhea in canines. A canine’s digestive machine is delicate, and changing their nutrition can considerably affect the severity and period of the situation. Correctly enhancing their meals consumption, together with opting for suitable meals varieties and adjusting feeding schedules, can a great deal help in restoration.Working out the rules of a low-fiber, simply digestible nutrition is very important for managing diarrhea in canines.

Pet food can infrequently purpose diarrhea in canines. Discovering the correct meals on your bushy buddy is the most important, however infrequently it is the setting that may additionally affect your canine’s digestive machine. In case you are on the lookout for a holiday spot the place your canine can come alongside, believe testing puppy pleasant lodging choices in Warrnambool, VIC, like the ones discovered at pet friendly accommodation warrnambool vic.

Then again, make sure you analysis the particular pet food your canine eats to verify their digestive well being stays top-notch, even when you are at the transfer.

This manner targets to scale back the tension at the digestive machine, permitting it to heal and repair customary serve as. A nutrition formulated with simply absorbed vitamins and minimum fiber promotes sooner restoration. The transition to a brand new nutrition will have to be slow to steer clear of additional digestive disenchanted.

Enhancing a Canine’s Nutrition

Enhancing a canine’s nutrition all through diarrhea comes to moving to a nutrition in particular designed for delicate stomachs. This in most cases includes decreasing fiber content material and lengthening the digestibility of the meals. The objective is to minimize the stimulation of the digestive tract, enabling it to heal.

Transitioning to a New Nutrition

A steady transition to a brand new nutrition is important to stop additional digestive problems. Abrupt adjustments can cause vomiting or worsening diarrhea. Combine a small quantity of the brand new meals with the canine’s current meals, regularly expanding the percentage of the brand new meals over a number of days. This permits the canine’s digestive machine to conform to the altered vitamins.

A just right rule of thumb is to interchange 25% of the previous meals with the brand new meals on a daily basis for 3-4 days, till the canine is simply consuming the brand new meals.

Examples of Low-Fiber/Simply Digestible Canine Meals

A number of pet food manufacturers be offering formulation in particular designed for canines with delicate stomachs or digestive problems. Examples come with Hill’s Prescription Nutrition i/d, Royal Canin Delicate Digestion, Purina Professional Plan Veterinary Diets EN. Those manufacturers are ceaselessly formulated with simply digestible proteins and minimum fiber to reduce digestive misery.

Pattern Feeding Agenda

A constant feeding agenda is necessary for canines with diarrhea. A pattern agenda for a canine with diarrhea contains two or 3 small foods an afternoon, somewhat than one huge meal. This manner can assist to reduce the tension at the digestive machine. Smaller, extra widespread foods are ceaselessly higher tolerated by means of canines with diarrhea. An appropriate pattern feeding agenda may well be:

  • Morning: 1/4 cup of meals
  • Afternoon: 1/4 cup of meals
  • Night time: 1/4 cup of meals

Alter the portion sizes according to your canine’s measurement and job degree, and observe their urge for food and stool consistency. At all times seek advice from your veterinarian for customized suggestions.

Canine Meals Suitability Desk

Meals Kind Suitability Reasoning
Prime-Fiber Canine Meals Low Prime fiber content material can exacerbate diarrhea by means of stimulating the digestive tract.
Grain-Unfastened Canine Meals Doubtlessly Appropriate Is also more uncomplicated to digest than grain-based meals for some canines, however no longer inherently low in fiber.
Prescription Diets (e.g., i/d, delicate abdomen) Prime Formulated with simply digestible elements and occasional fiber content material, in particular designed for digestive problems.
Uncooked Canine Meals Variable Is also tricky to digest and regulate the standard of elements, resulting in inconsistent effects. Imagine the danger elements and doable for contamination.
Business Canine Meals (Generic) Low to Average Would possibly comprise elements which can be tricky to digest, resulting in doable digestive problems.

Managing Diarrhea in Canine

Canine Meals Diarrhea Reasons & Answers

Managing diarrhea in canines calls for a multifaceted manner specializing in supportive care, figuring out the underlying purpose, and imposing suitable nutritional adjustments. Advised motion is the most important, as extended diarrhea can result in dehydration and different severe well being headaches. Early intervention and a proactive control technique can a great deal make stronger the canine’s convenience and restoration.Efficient control comes to a mix of supportive care, nutritional changes, and cautious tracking.

Hydration is paramount, as diarrhea considerably will increase fluid loss. Electrolyte steadiness will have to even be maintained to stop severe headaches. This contains offering suitable fluids and tracking for indicators of worsening situation.

Methods for House Control

Early intervention and supportive care are important for managing gentle instances of diarrhea at house. This contains offering a relaxed and at ease setting for the canine, and intently tracking for adjustments of their situation. Proscribing bodily job is ceaselessly beneficial to scale back tension at the digestive machine. Offering widespread small foods of simply digestible meals too can help restoration.

Significance of Hydration and Electrolyte Steadiness

Dehydration is a major fear in canines with diarrhea. The fast lack of fluids and electrolytes can result in serious well being issues. Keeping up hydration and electrolyte steadiness is the most important for restoring the canine’s general well being and supporting the restoration procedure. Electrolytes, corresponding to sodium, potassium, and chloride, are very important for right kind physically purposes. Lack of those electrolytes via diarrhea can result in weak spot, lethargy, and probably life-threatening headaches.

Suitable Fluids to Administer

Administering suitable fluids is very important for keeping up hydration and electrolyte steadiness in canines with diarrhea. Simple water is an acceptable choice, however in some instances, a specialised electrolyte resolution could be vital. Seek advice from a veterinarian to decide the most efficient plan of action, as they may be able to suggest particular electrolyte answers adapted to the canine’s wishes. Steer clear of sugary beverages or human electrolyte answers, as those can irritate the situation.

Small, widespread sips are simpler than huge quantities immediately.

Coping with pet food inflicting diarrhea may also be irritating. Thankfully, scrumptious possible choices like crab meat au gratin recipes crab meat au gratin recipes could be a tasty distraction from the digestive woes. Then again, discovering the correct pet food stays the most important for keeping up a wholesome intestine.

House Treatments for Delicate Canine Diarrhea

The next desk Artikels some house treatments for managing gentle canine diarrhea. Take note, those treatments aren’t an alternative choice to veterinary care, and it is the most important to seek the advice of a veterinarian if the diarrhea persists or worsens. Those house treatments are appropriate for gentle instances and will have to be used together with veterinary recommendation.

House Treatment Effectiveness Concerns
Simple, boiled, cooled water Prime At all times to be had and simply digestible
Small, widespread foods of simply digestible meals (e.g., boiled rooster, undeniable rice, or bland canine biscuits) Average Steer clear of fatty or highly spiced meals.
Pedialyte (for canines) or electrolyte resolution (seek the advice of your vet) Prime Apply veterinarian’s directions referring to dosage.
Bone broth (low-sodium, no spices) Average Can assist soothe the digestive tract
Steer clear of dairy merchandise, chocolate, grapes, and onions Prime Those meals can exacerbate the diarrhea.

Veterinary Intervention for Diarrhea

Dog food giving dog diarrhea

When a canine stories power or serious diarrhea, veterinary intervention turns into the most important to spot the underlying purpose and put in force suitable remedy. Ignoring the problem can result in dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and probably life-threatening headaches. Advised veterinary care is very important for a fast restoration and guarantees the most efficient conceivable result.

An important Scenarios Requiring Veterinary Session

Continual diarrhea lasting greater than 24-48 hours, particularly if accompanied by means of different signs like lethargy, vomiting, lack of urge for food, or blood within the stool, necessitates instant veterinary consideration. Dehydration, characterised by means of sunken eyes, dry gums, and diminished power, is a important signal that calls for instant veterinary intervention. Unexpected adjustments in stool consistency, frequency, or quantity, specifically if accompanied by means of fever, will have to additionally cause a consult with to the veterinarian.

Any canine displaying those relating to signs calls for instructed analysis by means of a veterinary skilled.

Diagnostic Checks Carried out by means of Veterinarians

Veterinarians make use of a variety of diagnostic checks to pinpoint the reason for diarrhea. A whole blood rely (CBC) assesses the total well being standing, together with an infection signs. A biochemical profile supplies insights into organ serve as and electrolyte ranges. Fecal research examines the stool for parasites, micro organism, or different pathogens. Radiographs (X-rays) can disclose abnormalities within the gastrointestinal tract.

Pet food can infrequently purpose diarrhea in canines, a commonplace factor that ceaselessly calls for cautious investigation. A top quality pet food like iams proactive health dog food might assist save you such digestive disenchanted. Then again, in case your canine continues to have diarrhea after switching to another meals, seek the advice of your vet to rule out different doable reasons.

In some instances, an endoscopy or ultrasound is also vital to visualise the digestive machine and determine doable problems. Those checks jointly supply a complete analysis of the canine’s situation and assist decide the correct remedy.

Commonplace Therapies Prescribed by means of Veterinarians

Veterinarians ceaselessly prescribe supportive care to regulate diarrhea. This contains fluid treatment to fight dehydration, electrolyte substitute to revive steadiness, and drugs to deal with particular reasons like parasites or infections. Anti-diarrheal drugs can assist regulate the frequency and severity of bowel actions. Nutritional adjustments, together with a bland nutrition, is also beneficial to scale back the digestive tension at the canine.

Particular drugs for bacterial infections or parasitic infestations are administered when wanted. Those remedy approaches are adapted to the person canine and the recognized explanation for diarrhea.

Significance of Following Veterinary Suggestions

Adherence to the veterinarian’s remedy plan is paramount for a hit control of canine diarrhea. Skipping medicine or changing the prescribed nutrition can impede restoration and probably irritate the situation. Common follow-up appointments permit the veterinarian to observe the canine’s development and regulate the remedy as wanted. Communique with the veterinarian about any adjustments within the canine’s situation is important for instructed intervention and optimum results.

Following veterinary suggestions intently guarantees the most efficient conceivable result.

Comparability of Veterinary Remedy Choices

Other veterinary remedy choices cope with more than a few reasons of diarrhea. Fluid treatment, as an example, is the most important for fighting dehydration, whilst anti-diarrheal drugs regulate bowel actions. Antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs goal particular infections or infestations. Nutritional adjustments can alleviate digestive tension. A complete manner, combining a number of of those choices, is ceaselessly vital to regulate the canine’s situation successfully.

The selected manner relies totally at the underlying explanation for diarrhea recognized via diagnostic checking out.

Fighting Long run Diarrhea: Canine Meals Giving Canine Diarrhea

Fighting long run episodes of diarrhea in canines hinges on figuring out and addressing the foundation reasons. A proactive manner, specializing in nutritional consistency, slow adjustments, and figuring out doable irritants, considerably reduces the possibility of habitual problems. By way of figuring out the triggers and imposing suitable preventive measures, puppy house owners can take care of their dog partners’ digestive well being and well-being.

Constant Nutrition and Feeding Agenda

A constant nutrition and feeding agenda are the most important for keeping up a wholesome digestive machine in canines. Regularity minimizes digestive disenchanted. This consistency supplies predictable meals consumption for the canine’s digestive enzymes and intestine micro organism, that are very important for optimum digestion. A solid regimen is helping control bowel actions, decreasing the danger of diarrhea. Steer clear of drastic shifts in feeding quantities or sorts of meals, as this can result in digestive misery.

Low-Irritant Canine Meals

Figuring out and fending off meals which can be excessive in irritants is a key safety measure. Sure elements, corresponding to fillers, synthetic colours, preservatives, and high-fat content material, can cause irritation and disenchanted the digestive steadiness. Opting for canine meals formulated with simply digestible elements and decrease in irritants can considerably scale back the danger of diarrhea. Search for pet food manufacturers that prioritize herbal elements and minimum processing.

Pet food can infrequently purpose diarrhea in domestic dogs. This is a difficult factor, particularly if you are having a look at new houses on your bushy buddy, like the ones to be had within the Linden Woods house of Winnipeg, linden woods houses for sale winnipeg. In the long run, a balanced nutrition and vet session are key to resolving digestive disenchanted in canines.

Examples of low-irritant elements come with simply digestible proteins like rooster or fish, and complicated carbohydrates like candy potatoes or brown rice. Steer clear of meals containing synthetic flavors, colours, and preservatives.

Sluggish Nutritional Adjustments

Introducing new meals regularly is very important to steer clear of digestive disenchanted. Unexpected adjustments in nutrition can disrupt the sophisticated steadiness of the intestine microbiome and result in diarrhea. As an alternative, regularly introduce a brand new meals over a length of seven to ten days. Get started by means of blending a small quantity of the brand new meals with the present nutrition, regularly expanding the percentage of the brand new meals whilst decreasing the previous.

This gradual transition lets in the canine’s digestive machine to conform to the brand new elements, minimizing the danger of diarrhea.

Preventive Measures Abstract, Pet food giving canine diarrhea

Preventive Measure Effectiveness Main points
Constant Nutrition and Feeding Agenda Prime Common feeding occasions and sorts of meals decrease digestive disenchanted.
Low-Irritant Canine Meals Average to Prime Opting for meals with simply digestible elements and occasional in irritants reduces the danger of irritation.
Sluggish Nutritional Adjustments Prime Introducing new meals slowly lets in the digestive machine to conform, fighting diarrhea.

Illustrative Instances of Diarrhea in Canine

Working out the various displays of dog diarrhea is the most important for efficient analysis and remedy. Each and every case items distinctive demanding situations, requiring a nuanced manner adapted to the person canine’s signs, historical past, and general well being. Spotting patterns and diversifications in signs lets in veterinary execs to pinpoint doable reasons and put in force suitable interventions.

Case Find out about: Barnaby the Beagle

Barnaby, a 3-year-old Beagle, introduced with a surprising onset of watery diarrhea. His house owners spotted the alternate in his bowel actions roughly 24 hours previous to his consult with to the veterinary hospital. The indications, at the side of a historical past of new adjustments in his nutrition, precipitated a complete analysis.

Date Signs Remedy End result
October 26, 2023 Watery diarrhea, lack of urge for food, lethargy. No vomiting. Preliminary supportive care: withholding meals and water for 12 hours, administering electrolyte resolution orally. Slight growth in hydration standing.
October 27, 2023 Persisted watery diarrhea, diminished power, slight dehydration. Persisted supportive care; creation of a bland nutrition (boiled rooster and rice). Fecal pattern amassed for research. Persisted gentle dehydration, diarrhea persists. Initial fecal research steered no proof of parasites.
October 28, 2023 Diarrhea moderately much less widespread, nonetheless watery; advanced urge for food. Persisted bland nutrition, oral electrolyte resolution. Urge for food advanced, no additional dehydration. Persisted tracking.
October 29, 2023 Diarrhea ceased, urge for food returned to customary, and effort ranges greater. Persisted bland nutrition for two days; transition again to customary nutrition began. Whole solution of signs.

Detailed Research of Barnaby’s Case

Barnaby’s case highlights the significance of a gentle technique to managing diarrhea. The preliminary withholding of meals and water was once the most important to permit the intestine to relaxation and get better. The implementation of a bland nutrition supplied simply digestible vitamins, selling right kind intestine serve as. The gathering and research of fecal samples allowed for the exclusion of infectious reasons.

The timeline demonstrates how signs can differ and reply to remedy over a length of days. Your complete solution of signs, after adjusting the nutrition and offering suitable hydration, issues to a most likely nutritional indiscretion because the purpose. Vital word: This can be a hypothetical case find out about, and particular person instances might range considerably. At all times seek the advice of a veterinarian for analysis and remedy of any well being issues on your puppy.

Working out Canine Meals Labels for Diarrhea Prevention

Interpreting pet food labels is the most important for fighting diarrhea. An intensive figuring out of elements, their order, and the presence of sure components can considerably affect your canine’s digestive well being. Cautious attention of those elements can assist determine meals that can be problematic on your canine’s delicate abdomen.Label research is greater than only a fast look. It is a key software in figuring out doable triggers for diarrhea.

By way of spotting the elements more likely to purpose digestive disenchanted, you’ll make knowledgeable possible choices about your canine’s nutrition, selling a more healthy intestine and fending off long run episodes of diarrhea.

Factor Listing Interpretation

The element record, ceaselessly discovered at the aspect or again of the bag, supplies treasured insights into the meals’s composition. The order of elements issues considerably. Elements indexed first are found in upper concentrations than the ones indexed later. Which means the primary few elements are essentially the most distinguished parts of the meals. A pet food formulated with excessive quantities of meat protein, as an example, will record meat as one of the vital peak elements.

Figuring out Low-Fiber or Simply Digestible Choices

Canine meals with low fiber content material are ceaselessly beneficial for canines experiencing diarrhea. It’s because high-fiber meals may also be tricky to digest, probably exacerbating the problem. Search for canine meals in particular advertised as “simply digestible” or “low fiber.” Elements like extremely processed grains or unfamiliar elements can be more difficult to digest.

Problematic Elements and Their Have an effect on

Sure elements can cause digestive disenchanted in some canines. Corn, wheat, and soy, commonplace fillers in some canine meals, may also be tricky for some canines to digest, resulting in digestive problems, together with diarrhea. Different elements like synthetic colours, flavors, and preservatives too can worsen delicate stomachs. Even reputedly risk free elements like sure sorts of beans could cause fuel and diarrhea in inclined canines.

Desk of Canine Meals Label Elements and Relevance

Label Element Relevance Clarification
Factor Listing Order Crucial The primary elements are found in upper concentrations. Determine doable triggers like problematic grains or fillers early within the record.
Factor Varieties Important Determine commonplace fillers like corn, wheat, soy, or unfamiliar elements. Imagine the presence of synthetic colours, flavors, and preservatives.
Fiber Content material Vital Low-fiber choices are in most cases higher for canines experiencing diarrhea. Search for canine meals in particular advertised as “simply digestible” or “low fiber.”
Protein Supply Related Top quality protein resources are the most important for digestive well being. Search for elements like meat or poultry.
Components Attention Over the top use of synthetic colours, flavors, and preservatives is also problematic for delicate canines.

Epilogue

In conclusion, managing canine food-induced diarrhea calls for a multi-faceted manner, combining cautious nutritional possible choices, suitable house treatments, and when vital, veterinary session. By way of figuring out the prospective reasons, imposing efficient control methods, and specializing in preventive measures, you’ll considerably scale back the danger of habitual diarrhea on your canine. Take note, a balanced nutrition and constant feeding agenda are paramount in keeping up long-term digestive well being.

Detailed FAQs

What are some commonplace pet food elements that purpose diarrhea?

Sure elements like high-fiber greens, synthetic components, or unfamiliar proteins can disenchanted a canine’s abdomen. At all times take a look at the element record for doable triggers.

How lengthy will have to I proceed a distinct nutrition for my canine with diarrhea?

The period of a distinct nutrition is dependent upon the severity and explanation for the diarrhea. Seek the advice of your veterinarian for customized steerage.

When will have to I search veterinary consideration for my canine’s diarrhea?

If the diarrhea is serious, bloody, accompanied by means of vomiting, lethargy, or lasts for greater than 48 hours, search instant veterinary care.

What are some house treatments for gentle canine diarrhea?

In gentle instances, a bland nutrition like boiled rooster and rice, at the side of considerable water, can assist soothe the digestive machine.

Leave a Comment