What do you give a dog when they have diarrhea

It can be very concerning when your dog has diarrhea and we know how desperate you can be to find a quick cure. That's why our New Ulm vets are sharing the most commons causes of dog diarrhea and how you can help stop it.

Diarrhea in Dogs

A lot of dogs come to our New Ulm veterinary office with diarrhea and many pups are experiencing it for various reasons.

Mild diarrhea cases are extremely common and can develop due to mild intestinal distress such as eating an item that doesn't agree with their body ( ex. table scraps) or you have recently switched your pup to a new dog food. 

However, there is also a handful of other possible causes for your dog's diarrhea that can be more serious.

What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

Below we have listed some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs:

• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or treats
• Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Medications such as antibiotics
• Parasites - roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
• Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper, or coronavirus
• Bacterial infections - such as salmonella
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer

But how do you know if you should be bringing your dog to the vet for diarrhea?

When To Visit Your Vet

If your dog has just had one episode of diarrhea and is otherwise behaving normally, it's usually not a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your canine companion's bowel movements and see if things clear up. If your dog has more than 2 episodes then there might be a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if your pup has two or more bouts of diarrhea.

If your pooch is straining to pass a stool but is only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention, call your vet or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital for treatment. 

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short time period can be a sign of a very serious health issue, especially if your furry friend is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea.

If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet immediately to book an appointment:

• Weakness
• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Unusual drooling
• Lack of Appetite
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

If your canine companion is displaying any symptoms that are concerning you, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms require an examination.

How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

Never give your dog human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you might want to give your dog some time to recover by simply fasting for 12 - 24 hours.

A bland diet for a day or two can also help your pooch's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) could also help your pup's tummy feel better. Once your dog is feeling better gradually reintroduce their regular food.

Other things that might help soothe your dog's upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods and medications prescribed by your vet.

When it comes to your best buddy's health it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking your pooch in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your pup's diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.

Diarrhea is unformed or loose stools, usually occurring in larger amounts and/or more often than usual. Diarrhea is not a disease but rather a clinical sign of many different diseases. Diarrhea associated with minor conditions can often be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Diarrhea may also be the result of serious or life-threatening illnesses such as organ system failure or cancer. Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become serious if treatment is not begun early enough.

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the result of faster movement of fecal material through the intestine, combined with decreased absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes. If the main sign of illness in your dog is diarrhea, a relatively simple problem such as an intestinal infection from bacteria, coccidia, or intestinal worms (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms) may be the cause. In dogs, dietary indiscretion (eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials) or a change in diet are common causes of acute (sudden) diarrhea. Stress, especially following travel, boarding, or other changes in the environment, can also cause acute diarrhea

Diarrhea can also be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder such as allergies, bacterial or viral infections (such as parvovirus), inflammatory bowel disease, organ dysfunction, or other systemic illnesses.

How serious is diarrhea in dogs?

The seriousness of diarrhea depends on how long it persists and how many other clinical signs accompany it. If your dog has severe bloody diarrhea or is showing more generalized signs of illness such as weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or dehydration, the cause may be more serious and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. For example, diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illness in susceptible dogs.

"...diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illness in susceptible dogs."

How is the cause of diarrhea determined?

The nature of the diarrhea, such as its color, consistency, smell, and frequency, is important in determining the cause. Your veterinarian will usually request a sample of fresh fecal material be brought to your appointment. You may also be asked to provide answers to a series of questions. To help you prepare this information for your veterinarian, see the handout "Diarrhea Questionnaire for Dogs".

In mild cases of diarrhea, further diagnostic testing may be deferred unless initial treatment fails, or the condition worsens. Additional tests may include blood work, stool and rectal swab samples for parasite examination, DNA testing, bacterial culture, radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound, and endoscopic exam.

What is the treatment for diarrhea?

For otherwise healthy adult dogs, your veterinarian may advise you to withhold food for up to 24 hours or to feed small quantities of a veterinary diet for gastrointestinal problems. These diets are specifically formulated with a balance of fibers that feed the good bacteria found in your dog’s intestine and with certain antioxidants that support your dog’s immune system while recovering.

"Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics may be prescribed."

Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics (bacteria that support intestinal health) may be prescribed. There are several probiotic products that may be helpful in dogs with diarrhea. As the quality and effectiveness of these products are not always known, consult your veterinarian before offering anything to your dog. Many cases of acute diarrhea respond quite readily to this conservative treatment, allowing the body's healing mechanisms to correct the problem, without the initial cause ever being established. As the stools return to normal, your dog’s regular diet can usually be transitioned from the prescribed veterinary diet over seven to ten days.

If your dog is not improving within two to four days, further tests or more aggressive treatment may be necessary. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can result in significant dehydration and metabolic disturbances due to fluid loss and your dog may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy or other, more intensive, treatments.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis depends upon the severity of the diarrhea, the specific diagnosis, and your dog's response to treatment. Most cases of simple diarrhea will make a full recovery, while dogs with chronic diarrhea may require dietary management or medication to keep the condition under control.

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