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.
What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?
Some of the most typical causes of diarrhea in dogs are given below:
- consuming leftovers or rotten food
- worry or tension
- dietary or treat adjustments
- consuming non-food items like toys, bones, and cloth
- consuming poisons or toxins
- Medicines like antibiotics
- Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia are examples of parasites.
- viral illnesses such coronavirus, distemper, or parvovirus
- infections caused by bacteria, such as salmonella
- Colitis of the bowels
- Pancreatitis
- Colitis
- a kidney or liver condition
- stomach cancer
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:
What causes diarrhea in dogs most frequently?
For pet owners, dealing with chronic diarrhea in dogs can be a very stressful illness. You should look for a remedy as soon as possible if your dog has diarrhea. Today, our Smyrna vets go through a few typical causes of canine diarrhea as well as remedies for it.
Dogs with diarrhea are frequently treated by our Smyrna veterinarians for a variety of conditions.
Dogs frequently experience mild diarrhea, which can be brought on by eating a small quantity of anything that doesn’t sit well with them, like table scraps, or by just trying a different brand or taste of food.
However, there are a number of other, more dangerous causes for your dog’s diarrhea.
When To Contact Your Vet
There is no cause for alarm if your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and otherwise behaves properly. Watch your dog’s bowel movements to see if anything changes. If your dog has experienced two or more episodes of diarrhea, you should consult your veterinarian because this could be a sign of a larger issue.
Your dog may be experiencing a severe blockage brought on by ingesting a foreign object, such as a toy, if he or she is struggling to produce a stool but only producing little amounts of watery diarrhea. There is a significant problem here that needs quick veterinarian care. For assistance, speak to your veterinarian or visit the closest animal emergency facility.
When your dog experiences multiple episodes of diarrhea in a short period of time, it may be a sign of a significant health issue, particularly if your dog is extremely old, very young, or has a weakened immune system. Parvovirus infections, for example, are exceedingly harmful, infectious, and possibly lethal. Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog experiences regular episodes of diarrhea.
Dogs should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible if they also display other symptoms. Contact your vet right away to make an appointment if your dog displays any of the following signs:
How can you stop a dog’s diarrhea?
Contact your veterinarian if your dog exhibits any symptoms that worry you. If your pet’s symptoms call for an examination, your vet will inform you of this.
How can you stop diarrhea in dogs?
It’s crucial to never give your dog human medication intended for treating diarrhea before seeing your veterinarian. Numerous human drugs are harmful to dogs and could worsen your dog’s health.
You might want to give your dog some time to recover by just fasting for 12 to 24 hours if he or she has had one or two runny or mushy stools.
A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours can help your pup’s problem get better. Your dog’s stomach may feel better after eating some simple, cooked white rice mixed with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). Reintroduce their regular food gradually after your dog is feeling well.
Natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, eggs without extra oil, specially developed dog diets, and drugs prescribed by your veterinarian are additional items that may help to calm your dog’s upset stomach.
Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your dog’s health. By bringing your dog in for a checkup, you give your veterinarian the chance to identify the underlying reason of your pup’s diarrhea and suggest the most suitable course of action.
Please take note that the information in this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice for animals. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s illness.
What is the duration of dog 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.
What foods make dogs ill?
Never give your dog these poisonous foods; keep them out of their reach.
- raisins and grapes.
- onions.
- garlic.
- nut macadamias.
- chocolate.
- alcohol.
- coffee.
- meals with Xylitol, an artificial sweetener (such as some peanut butters)
When is my dog’s diarrhea a cause for concern?
Dog diarrhea is not an illness in and of itself; it is a symptom of a health issue. Unabsorbed nutrients that either hold or attract water into the intestines are the primary cause of canine diarrhea. In these situations, the amount of fluid exceeds the intestinal lining’s capacity to absorb water and nutrients. Large amounts of fluid or soft feces will be passed by canines with this form of diarrhea.
The increased permeability of the intestinal lining is a typical cause of diarrhea in dogs. Increased flow of fluid and electrolytes into the intestines due to disease-related inflammation or irritants might lead to decreased absorption.
Diarrhea can be sudden (acute), chronic (lasting for weeks to months), or intermittent (intermittent). According to the underlying reason.
The many and varied causes of diarrhea
Diarrhea can occur in dogs for a variety of causes. Anytime the flow of nutrients or water over the lining of the intestines is changed or interfered with, abnormal stools may result. For instance, when your dog consumes a food item that is not often a part of his or her diet, the regular bacteria in the intestines may shift, which might result in acute diarrhea.
Additionally, diarrhea may be an indication of liver illness, parvovirus infection, or pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation). In these situations, the mechanisms causing the diarrhea are intestinal lining injury or inflammation.
Here are some of the scenarios when diarrhea might be expected most frequently:
- eating rotten food, rubbish, or foreign things like toys, bones, or cloth
- Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, and Giardia are among the parasites.
- Bacterial overgrowth in the intestines
- illnesses affecting the liver and kidneys, as well as other organs
- Toxins/poisons
- Stress/anxiety brought on by moving, boarding, traveling, or welcoming a new animal or human family member
Your veterinarian can tell a lot from the character of your dog’s diarrhea
Be ready to respond to the following questions when discussing your dog’s diarrhea with your veterinarian:
- How long has the indigestion been present?
- How does the stool appear? What shade is that? Any blood or mucous present?
- Has your dog recently gotten into the compost or garbage?
- Has the food or treats you give your dog changed in any way?
Your dog’s diarrhea may be brought on by the small intestine, big intestine, or both, as determined by your veterinarian. Diagnosis procedures and treatments may differ for small intestine and large intestinal diarrhea due to their distinct causes.
You can notice a lot of big, watery to semi-formed stools if you have minor intestinal diarrhea. While frequently normal, defecation frequency may occasionally be slightly increased. Extremely dark or black stool is a sign that the stomach or first section of the small intestine may be bleeding. Vomiting, stomach or intestinal noises, and flatulence (gas) can all happen together.
Smaller-than-normal volumes of semi-formed feces that may be covered with or contain mucus are frequently passed by dogs with significant intestinal diarrhea. In addition to passing feces significantly more frequently than usual, dogs typically strain to urinate. If blood is present, it usually appears fresh and brilliant red.
Not all cases of diarrhea require a trip to the veterinary clinic
Typically, a single episode of diarrhea is not cause for alarm. In reality, most cases of acute diarrhea will go away on their own or with simple home remedies in one to two days. If your dog had one slightly soft stool but is generally playful and eating regularly, you can hold off on taking any more action until you see how the next bowel movement looks.
If your dog is very young, a very little or toy breed dog, is well into his or her senior years, has a previous health condition like diabetes, kidney illness, or Addison’s disease, you don’t want to let diarrhea go past two bouts. These dogs can succumb to dehydration very fast, so you should call your vet straight soon.
If your dog’s diarrhea persists for more than two days or if he or she exhibits other symptoms in addition to diarrhea, you should also take them to the vet to be examined. Diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and a variety of other problems.
Be careful that intestinal obstruction brought on by consuming toys or bones can cause severe pain, vomiting, and straining to urinate while passing only little volumes of watery stool, frequently containing blood. A true emergency requiring prompt attention and care is a blockage.
Call your veterinarian right away if you’re unsure or worried about your pet friend’s diarrhea. Using the background information and description you give, your veterinarian can decide whether the issue requires immediate attention. The best guidance on how to take care of your dog’s health can also be obtained from him or her.
This blog’s content was created in collaboration with our veterinarian with the intention of educating pet parents. Please consult your veterinarian if you have any queries or concerns regarding the nutrition or health of your pet.
