Diarrhea in Dogs - Causes of Diarrhea, Symptoms, and Treatment Methods

Diarrhea in dogs is a relatively common problem in medical practice. Sometimes, its causes are simple - an overly fatty meal, for example; other times, it can indicate a series of more serious health problems. Below, we will explore the causes of diarrhea, its associated symptoms, and treatment options, so you can take care of your furry friend.

• Causes of Diarrhea
• Dog Diarrhea - Symptoms
• Diagnosis of Diarrhea in Dogs
• Treatment of Diarrhea in Dogs
• Preventing Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea - Causes

Many dog owners – especially beginners – wonder why their dog has diarrhea. When discussing diarrhea, the causes can be numerous and varied. These largely depend on the animal's age, how it is cared for and fed, where it spends its time, indoors or outdoors, previous vaccinations, and so on.

Dietary Causes

There is a direct interdependent relationship between food and diarrhea. Enterocolitis in dogs, also described as gastroenteritis in dogs, is most often triggered by inappropriate feeding, sudden dietary changes, or the consumption of poor-quality food.

A puppy's digestive system is more sensitive than an adult's; provide it with appropriate nutrition to help it grow big and healthy.

Loose stools in dogs can be caused, for example, by a sudden change in the brand of dry food administered. Also, a dog that normally only eats dry food can develop loose stools due to a copious portion of human food. A simple indigestion in dogs, caused by inappropriate feeding, usually does not affect the general condition of the pet and can resolve on its own within 24-48 hours once the cause is removed.

Persistent diarrhea accompanied by vomiting in dogs can signal the consumption of toxic foods: chocolate, grapes and raisins, or onions are frequently incriminated, often due to owners' lack of information being responsible for this situation.

Find out why you should never give your dog chocolate and what can happen if it has access to this food.

Finally, diarrhea and even vomiting in dogs can occur as a result of an allergy or food intolerance, developed to certain ingredients in the diet. This diagnosis is one of exclusion and requires a very specific treatment once all other causes have been ruled out.

Vomiting in dogs can have a wide range of causes; discover what causes it and how you should proceed if your dog starts to vomit.

Infectious Causes

Digestive infections are another common cause of diarrhea. Although the pH of gastric acid in a dog's stomach is very low, which provides a certain degree of natural protection, it can still fall victim to an infection:

• The most commonly diagnosed bacterial infections are those with Salmonella or E. coli. These can trigger enterocolitis in dogs, with varying intensity of symptoms depending on the patient's age and general health condition.
• Intestinal parasites can trigger a wide range of digestive symptoms. Massive infestations can even cause yellow vomit in dogs, or the owner complains that their dog is lethargic and has no appetite.
• Viral infections caused, for example, by parvovirus or Canine distemper are notorious for the violent symptoms they cause: bloody stools in dogs, the dog not eating and vomiting, etc. When discussing diarrhea in puppies, especially bloody diarrhea, every experienced veterinarian will want to investigate whether they are dealing with parvovirus, an infection with high mortality among puppies.

If you plan to get a puppy, learn more about parvovirus - one of the most widespread causes of mortality in this age category.

Medical Causes

There are also some systemic diseases that can progress accompanied by diarrhea.

• Pancreatic insufficiency can cause loose stools, with a greasy and light-colored appearance;
• Some stomach diseases in dogs can interfere with digestion and cause loose stools;
• Kidney failure and diabetes can have diarrhea as a side effect;
• Blood in the stool of dogs, especially older ones, may signal the presence of polyps or colon cancer.

In such situations, owners' questions about how long indigestion in dogs lasts necessitate detailed explanations about the importance of appropriate treatment - not necessarily directly focused on the poor stools, but rather on their underlying causes.

Discover more information about indigestion in dogs, how it manifests, and how it can be prevented.

Some medications can cause diarrhea in dogs, as a secondary or adverse effect. Diarrhea in dogs after deworming is a frequent event, with the parasitic load acting as an irritant. In addition, many of the substances used in internal deworming include a mild laxative, which accelerates the evacuation of parasites, reducing the risk of secondary toxicity.

Other Causes: Anxiety and Stress

Before researching anti-diarrhea medication for dogs or looking for information on natural indigestion remedies for dogs, ask yourself if it's possible that your pet has been through a stressful period. Changing homes or owners, owners going on vacation, bringing a new animal into the house, or even the birth of a baby associated with a drastic change in the usual routine can all be extremely stressful events for a dog.

Don't overlook a very important element: what might seem like an insignificant incident to you, can be a major stress factor for your dog. Also, you might have two dogs: one might nonchalantly go to the vet, while the other might start trembling as soon as you put him in the car and have loose stools even before entering the clinic.

Dog Diarrhea - Symptoms

A dog with an upset stomach may experience diarrhea, but may also have other associated symptoms, which we will detail below.

Acute vs. Chronic Diarrhea
Diarrhea in dogs can be divided into two main categories: acute diarrhea and chronic diarrhea.

• Acute diarrhea appears suddenly and can be short-lived. Most often, it is associated with a sudden change in diet or the ingestion of toxic substances or foods. This type of diarrhea can resolve on its own, although a treatment for indigestion in dogs may sometimes be necessary;
• Chronic diarrhea is diagnosed when it persists for several weeks or recurs frequently. Chronic diarrhea always indicates underlying medical problems and can only be treated after proper identification of the cause.

Signs Associated with Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a symptom in itself, but most dogs also exhibit other associated signs:

• General malaise: the dog may be lethargic or show signs of discomfort, such as abdominal pain;
• Loss of appetite in dogs;
• Weight loss: chronic diarrhea is associated with a malabsorption syndrome that can lead to weight loss;
• Frequent stools: increased frequency of defecation or insufficient sphincter control.

Symptoms Consecutive to Diarrhea
Persistent or severe diarrhea can also cause other symptoms:

• Persistent vomiting: when we talk about indigestion in dogs, symptoms can also include vomiting; in other cases, watery diarrhea is associated with a severe hydro-electrolytic imbalance that perpetuates vomiting;
• Dehydration: dehydration can become life-threatening for the pet due to fluid and electrolyte loss; it can affect kidney and heart function;
• Loss of appetite: when the puppy has diarrhea, abdominal pain, malaise, or nausea that occurs after eating can discourage them from eating.

Diagnosis of Diarrhea in Dogs

It's easy to notice that your pet has diarrhea; the veterinarian's job is to identify its causes so that they can recommend an appropriate treatment.

Clinical Evaluation

The clinical examination is the first step in diagnosing diarrhea in dogs. The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination of the dog, which includes:

• Anamnesis: the doctor will ask for information about the dog's medical history, its age, when symptoms began, recent dietary changes, the presence of stress factors. They will want to know what other symptoms the owner has observed - if they have noticed yellow vomit in their dog, if they have noticed the dog vomiting green, if brown vomit appears in the dog, if any diarrhea treatment has been administered to the dog.
• Abdominal examination: performed by palpating the abdomen to assess any painful sensations, the presence of lumps, or other signs;
• Checking hydration status: performed by checking the mucous membranes and skin turgor; dehydration is a serious concern and requires immediate fluid rebalancing.

Laboratory Tests

In some situations, an accurate diagnosis of the causes of diarrhea requires additional tests:

• Blood tests: can provide information about the dog's general health and help identify underlying conditions;
• Parasite identification tests: can identify their presence;
• Fecal cultures: allow identification of bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal infections;
• X-ray, ultrasound, barium swallow: can reveal structural problems or an intestinal obstruction.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis involves ruling out other possible causes of similar symptoms. The veterinarian may recommend further, very specific investigations to exclude or confirm:

• Gastrointestinal diseases: inflammatory bowel disease or enteritis;
• Bacterial or viral infections: salmonellosis or parvovirus;
• Food allergies: identification of the allergen;
• Systemic problems: diabetes, kidney failure, etc.

Treatment of Diarrhea in Dogs

Many dog owners simply ask how to treat diarrhea, without considering that diverse etiologies may require different treatments. For diarrhea in dogs, treatment depends on the causes, as well as the clinical condition of the non-speaking patient.

Home Treatment

In mild cases of diarrhea, home treatment may be sufficient to correct the problem. Administering peppermint tea for dogs, adhering to a list of foods for dogs with diarrhea, and some dog diarrhea pills may be enough, but home treatment is limited. If you have offered your dog small quantities of boiled rice with carrots and lean chicken, but he refuses or vomits, proper hydration becomes impossible and you need to move to the next stage: a visit to the veterinarian.

Medications Prescribed by the Veterinarian - Antidiarrheals for Dogs

In severe or persistent cases, peppermint tea for dog diarrhea is no longer sufficient. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics if they suspect an infection or bacterial superinfection. Anti-inflammatories can be administered to reduce discomfort or intestinal inflammation. In cases of watery yellow and persistent diarrhea, treatment requires intravenous administration of rehydration solutions. Treating vomiting in dogs is important to reduce intestinal irritation and the risk of dehydration.

Complementary Therapies

Some complementary therapies can be combined with medication to support faster recovery of the intestinal lining. For example, administering probiotics helps restore the balance of the intestinal flora; prebiotics support this process. Aloe vera or chamomile extract can act as an intestinal bandage.

Treating diarrhea in dogs may also involve changes in the type of food used. The veterinarian may recommend using a veterinary diet until the symptoms disappear. See our range of diet food for dogs!

Surgery

In very rare cases, diarrhea can be caused by an intestinal occlusion or another anatomical or structural problem that requires surgical intervention.

Preventing Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea cannot always be prevented, but there are measures you can take to protect your furry friend's health.

Balanced Diet

Always choose a balanced diet and high-quality food to maintain your dog's digestive health. Opt for high-quality commercial food or consult your veterinarian to establish an appropriate feeding plan. Given that sudden changes in diet can trigger diarrhea, try to make all these transitions gradually, combining old and new food for several days.

Avoiding Toxic Substances

Chocolate and grapes are two of the most toxic foods for dogs, and their sweet taste is extremely appealing to them. Products with a high fat content are not necessarily toxic, but they come with a significant health risk. Houseplants or garden plants can prove toxic to dogs. Detergents and cleaning solutions must be kept tightly closed in places inaccessible to the dog. Antifreeze, in particular, is implicated in numerous intoxications due to its sweet taste.

Hygiene and Regular Deworming

Although the dog seems not to be picky about food and to have a resistant stomach, respecting food hygiene is important for its health. Make sure that the food is prepared and stored in good conditions, that it does not deteriorate or spoil and is not contaminated with bacteria. Buy food from safe sources and prepare it appropriately.

Follow the regular deworming schedule recommended by your veterinarian to prevent infestations. The veterinarian will know how to recommend the right products and alternate them appropriately, depending on the dog's age and breed and your lifestyle.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Dogs can be sensitive to changes in their living environment or routine modifications - the more predictable the schedule, the calmer they will be. Mental stimulation of the dog through activities that keep its mind active can help reduce anxiety.

Diarrhea is a relatively common problem in dogs; its causes can be very varied, and treatment depends on the correct identification of the etiology. Take care of your pet's health by working closely with your veterinarian.

Photo source: Shutterstock, Shutterstock

Sources:

1. https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/what-causes-dog-diarrhea
2. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/doggie-diarrhea/
3. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/diarrhea-in-dogs
4. https://www.nurvc.com/site/blog/2021/08/15/diarrhea-in-dogs
5. https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/your-dog-has-diarrhea-what-to-do
6. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/diarrhea