At the Dunnellon Animal Hospital, we treat a number of canines that have diarrhea that has been caused by a variety of different factors. Let’s discuss what you can do to cure and prevent sporadic and persistent occurrences as a pet owner.
Doggy Diarrhea
A small amount of something that doesn’t agree with your dog, like table scraps, can cause moderate intestinal discomfort, which can result in mild bouts of diarrhea in dogs. Switching to a new dog food brand or taste can also cause mild intestinal distress in dogs.
The fact remains, however, that there are a variety of more significant causes for your dog’s diarrhea.
But what causes diarrhea in dogs?
There are numerous causes of diarrhea in dogs, albeit not all of them are as follows:
- worry or tension
- dietary or treat adjustments
- consuming leftovers or rotten food
- consuming non-food items like toys, bones, and cloth
- consuming poisons or toxins
- viral illnesses such coronavirus, distemper, or parvovirus
- Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia are examples of parasites.
- infections caused by bacteria, such as salmonella
- Pancreatitis
- Colitis of the bowels
- Colitis
- a kidney or liver condition
- stomach cancer
- Medicines like antibiotics
when should I contact my vet?
Knowing whether to visit your veterinarian regarding your dog’s diarrhea might be challenging because there are so many different potential illnesses!
If your dog only experiences one episode of diarrhea and exhibits no other symptoms, it is probably nothing to worry about. Check your dog’s bowel motions frequently to check whether the diarrhea returns. It’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian if diarrhea has lasted for three or more episodes as more than two episodes could signify a problem.
Your dog may be suffering from a severe obstruction brought on by ingesting a toy or another foreign object if they are struggling to pass modest amounts of watery diarrhea. You should immediately get in touch with your veterinarian or the closest emergency animal hospital for care as this is a very serious concern that requires veterinary assistance right soon.
In especially if the patient is very elderly, very young, or has a weakened immune system, repeated episodes of diarrhea over a short period of time may indicate a very significant health problem. The parvovirus is a very dangerous, infectious, and potentially fatal infection. If your pet has diarrhea on a regular basis, call your vet straight away.
Dogs that also exhibit other symptoms in addition to diarrhea should visit a veterinarian as soon as feasible. Consider calling a veterinarian as soon as possible to schedule an appointment if your dog exhibits any of the symptoms below:
What causes dogs to get diarrhea repeatedly?
When your dog has diarrhea, it can be very worrying, and we understand how frantic you may be to find a rapid fix. In order to assist you stop canine diarrhea, our New Ulm veterinarians are providing the most frequent causes of the condition.
Diarrhea in Dogs
Our New Ulm veterinarian clinic sees a lot of dogs with diarrhea, and many puppies have it for a variety of reasons.
Extremely frequent episodes of mild diarrhea might result from modest intestinal distress, such as eating food that doesn’t agree with your dog’s body (such table scraps) or switching your dog to a new dog food recently.
There are a few additional, more dangerous potential causes for your dog’s diarrhea, though.
When To Visit Your Vet
Usually, it’s nothing to worry about if your dog has just experienced one episode of diarrhea and is otherwise doing normally. Keep a watch on your dog’s bowel motions to determine whether the situation has improved. It’s a good idea to call your vet if your dog has two or more episodes of diarrhea because there may be an issue if there are more than two.
Your dog may be suffering from a painful obstruction brought on by ingesting a toy if they are struggling to pass stools but are only passing little amounts of watery diarrhea. Call your veterinarian or take your pet to the closest emergency animal hospital for treatment as this is a highly serious ailment that needs immediate veterinary attention.
Particularly if your pet is very old, very young, or has a weakened immune system, persistent diarrhea over a short period of time may indicate a very significant health problem. The parvovirus is a very dangerous, infectious, and potentially fatal infection. If your dog has persistent diarrhea or frequent episodes of diarrhea, call your veterinarian straight once.
Your dog should be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible if they are exhibiting any symptoms in addition to diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian right once to schedule an appointment if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms:
Why does my dog periodically get diarrhea?
Let’s discuss your dog’s affairs. Has your dog’s recent bout of diarrhea caught your attention? There are a variety of causes for dogs to develop diarrhea, some of which may signify a significant medical condition.
Dogs and Diarrhea
If your dog has diarrhea, you are well aware of the symptoms, which include frequent excursions outside to relieve one’s bowels and loose, liquid-like excrement. Dogs’ diarrhea can start quickly and linger anywhere from a day or two to several weeks or months.
Dehydration can be a worry if your dog’s diarrhea lasts longer than a day. Longer-lasting diarrhea may be a sign that your dog’s health is compromised.
Change in Kibble
Your dog’s stomach and intestinal tract may become irritated by a sudden diet change, which can cause diarrhea. If you are changing your dog’s food, the general rule of thumb is to make the adjustment gradually. Over the course of a week, gradually increasing the new food while gradually reducing the old food is generally advised. Consider your dog’s bowl as having the same number of equal slices as a pie. Replace one piece of the old, used kibble with fresh kibble each day.
Ate Spoiled Food
Some veterinary professionals call this “trash gut.” It indicates that your dog ate something that upset his or her stomach, possibly some table scraps or food from the trash. Despite the fact that most occurrences of garbage gut are minor, depending on what was consumed, your dog may develop pancreatitis, a more serious condition that calls for medical attention.
Bacterial Infection and Viral Diseases
Bacteria that can be found in raw or poorly cooked meat, meat that has been left out for a time, or in rotting vegetables may be the cause of your dog’s diarrhea. According to studies, dogs who are kenneled with infected canines may contract the infection themselves. Every two to four weeks, diarrhea might happen, and it can last for years. Look for new blood and glossy mucus on the surface in your dog’s stool.
Additionally, foul-smelling diarrhea can be a symptom of viral illnesses such Parvovirus (particularly in pups), distemper, coronavirus, and various rotaviruses. The symptoms of these viral illnesses, which can be fatal, include lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and, in the case of distemper, coughing. It is advised to seek veterinarian attention right away.
Intestinal Parasites
Animal feces and outdoor water sources (puddles, ponds, stagnant water) are where intestinal parasites are most frequently discovered. There is a chance that your dog drank tainted water or ate feces, which could have exposed him to parasitic cysts that allow parasites to dwell in his bowel. This can result in diarrhea that is frothy, oily, mucus-filled, and has an extremely potent stench. Your dog will receive treatment from your vet to get rid of the parasite.
Ate Toxic Substance
Frequent diarrhea is one of the first indications that your dog may have consumed something harmful or dangerous.
Plants including daffodils, ivy, bluebells, mistletoe, holly, and honeysuckle are examples of toxic offenders. Your dog may be harmed by wild mushrooms, sunscreen, human drugs, vitamins (particularly vitamin D), ice packs, silica gel sachets found in products that are sensitive to moisture, chalk, and charcoal.
Allergic Reaction
Your dog’s body will attempt to flush out the allergens if it detects an allergic reaction. For instance, diarrhea. Runny eyes, sneezing, constant licking of the paws, chewing on the paws, increased scratching, particularly at the base of the tail, and red, itchy skin that is moist or scabbed are additional symptoms to watch for in the event that diarrhea is brought on by an allergic reaction.
You’ll need to work with your veterinarian to identify the substance that is the root of the allergy since many different things might cause an allergic reaction. Learn more about skin allergies in pets.
Ate a Foreign Object
A dog’s curiosity may cause it to ingest some fascinating objects. Unfortunately, a lot of these foreign things have a high risk of impaling themselves in your dog’s stomach or lower intestines and endangering his life. The presence of a foreign body might cause diarrhea. Other symptoms to look out for include vomiting, soreness or tenderness in the abdomen, a lack of appetite, constipation, fatigue, and aggressive behavior when touched.
Even though this is a significant issue, your veterinarian can swiftly identify it if it is. Learn more about the dangers of pets ingesting strange bodies. Check out the canines who ate alarming stuff and lived to tell the story in our Hambone Award nominees, which are true accounts.
Irritable Bowel Disease
When inflammatory cells persistently invade your dog’s colon, irritable bowel syndrome results. There is no known cause. When the colon is affected, diarrhea is the most typical IBD symptom. Loss of weight is another indicator of IBD. Your dog’s ailment can be identified by your veterinarian, who can also go over a treatment plan to get your dog well again.
Side Effect of Medication
As a side effect of your dog’s medicine, diarrhea might occur. NMDA receptor blockers and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories used for pain management), including Rimadyl, Metacam, and Meloxicam, are medications that cause diarrhea. Frequently, the binding or sticky component that has been added to the drug is what is producing the diarrhea. Study up on harmful drugs for animals.
Talk to your veterinarian about any side effects as a change in medication may be beneficial.
Kidney or Liver Disease
Diarrhea is a typical sign of renal or liver dysfunction in canines. Age, trauma, toxic intake, cancer, parasites, amyloidosis (abnormal protein deposits in the kidney), congenital diseases, and bacterial infections are some of the causes of kidney illness. Hunched posture, inability to move, weight loss, vomiting, blood in the urine, lack of appetite, and an increase or reduction in urination are further indicators of a major health problem.
The precise cause of your dog’s diarrhea can be identified through a visit to your veterinarian. If the issue continues for more than a few days, don’t delay to arrange a checkup.
people. Fortunately, standard stool parasite testing can detect the majority of these parasites, so the next time you take Fido to the doctor, don’t forget the fecal sample!
Many dogs experience food allergies and, to a lesser extent, nutritional intolerance. The protein source in the food is typically the culprit behind the issues. Despite having the best ingredients, a premium meal may not be the best choice for your pet if it contains beef, which your pet may have trouble digesting. Do not be afraid to discuss diet with your veterinarian if your pet has a chronic gastrointestinal condition, vomiting, diarrhea, or both. Just keep in mind to transition foods gradually over a period of 1-2 weeks.
Pets’ diarrhea can have a variety of causes. Simple cases may be treated symptomatically or conservatively. Some of the causes might be prevented if your pets are routinely dewormed. Usually, a veterinarian needs to be seen and treated for cases that are more severe or chronic. These straightforward advice should assist in preventing and treating recurrences. Don’t wait too long to call your veterinarian if they don’t. He or she will assist you in determining the root of the issue and bring your pet some relief. You can assist your friend through his subsequent bout of diarrhea by being aware of the cause, the symptoms, and starting treatment right away.
