Diarrhea in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

1. Diarrhea in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Do you know a stool of a pet can tell a lot about his health? Yes! Any changes in the consistency, color and frequency can actually reveal if the animal is dealing with any kind of internal trouble. The body gives several signs that some part of it isn’t working properly or the animal has ingested something which he shouldn’t. And one of the most common ways it does is by changing the normal stools to loose or coloured ones which in medical terms is called Diarrhea. Symptoms of Diarrhea in Dogs Diarrhea is a common canine problem and the dog suffering from this ailment may experience loose stools, frequent bowel movements, several urges to poop and increased quantity of stools. A dog experiencing frequent stool movements may also get dehydrated which in turn makes him lethargic.

2. Diarrhea is a cause for concern when you see- •Blood in the stools •If he has eaten some toxic substance or thing •Vomiting •Excruciating pain that makes him whine •Pale gums •If he is a puppy •Fever •Seems depressed One of the most serious issues which must be addressed quickly is when he poops black stools. It indicates that he is suffering from heavy internal infection or injury that has caused bleeding in his stomach or the intestines. In such a case, you shouldn’t delay further and must take him to the vet immediately. What Does Change In Colour and Consistency of the Dog’s Stool Indicate? A healthy dog has a log kind of droppings which are chocolate brown in colour. It is normally moist and compact. And the quantity of the poop is usually in proportion to the amount of food he consumes regularly. Whereas droppings in round shapes signal that he is dehydrated. Furthermore, any mucus in the stools indicates that his intestines are inflamed or has gastric upset. The way consistency of the stool speaks about the dog’s health, any change in the stool colour also speaks volumes about some issues in his body. Here is what each colour tells – Chocolate brown – normal Green – Gall bladder issue or the dog has eaten or has been eating lot of grass Orange to yellow – bile or liver problem Red streaks in stools – anus injury or cuts Grey and greasy – pancreatic or biliary problem Black – Bleeding in the Gastrointestinal Tract

3. So what exactly causes diarrhea in dogs? There can be umpteen reasons that could be troubling with the dog’s normal stool. Some of the major causes include – •Ingestion of spoiled food or unwanted item •Ingestion of a toxic material •Bacterial Infection •Viral Infection •Liver or Kidney Disease •Food Intolerance •Allergy •Intestinal Worms •Colitis •Gastroenteritis •Diet Change •Stress •Medications •Tumour How to treat diarrhea in dogs? Treatment starts once the cause of diarrhea is known. For this, a vet may recommend a fecal test for the presence of worms. Fecal culture will also reveal if the dog is infected with bacterial or viral infection or not. Some blood tests may also be conducted for the suspects. Biopsy is also conducted in some cases which tell the causes of diarrhea in the dog. Once the cause is diagnosed, a vet may prescribe antibiotics or treatments accordingly. For instance, if the dog has intestinal worm infection then he may prescribe some worming tablets. If he has bacterial or infection then antibiotics would be prescribed. In dehydration cases, intravenous or subcutaneous fluids would be injected in his body. Likewise, according to the cause of diarrhoea, the treatments vary too. Whenever a dog experiences diarrhea, the first call for action for pet parents is to stop providing any food and keep the dog well hydrated. If it persists for more than a day, you must get him checked by the vet. Any change in the color of the stool and consistency must be properly described to the vet so he gets a clear idea of the pet’s situation. In case of puppies, any delay in the vet visit or wait is not recommended as puppies have low immunity and can be affected more seriously than adult dogs.

4. Diarrhea can be problematic so it is always suggested to feed a well-balanced diet to your dog and do not incorporate any dietary changes pretty fast. A body takes time to adjust to the new food, so the transition should be gradual and limited. Ask your vet how you can do that. Diarrhea is not a good sign of a healthy body which is why it is important for pet owners to always keep a watch on their dog’s poop so they can cure any ailment before it advances and causes serious troubles in the pet’s body. So, be watchful henceforth!