Diarrhea in dogs: causes, treatment, prevention at home

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Just like in humans, diarrhea in dogs can be a manifestation of a variety of diseases.
Of course, the most common and obvious cause of indigestion is food poisoning or another malfunction of the digestive system. Due to the powerful bactericidal properties of saliva, dogs are less sensitive than other pets (particularly cats) to low-quality or stale food. Moreover, in the wild, the closest relatives of dogs, foxes and jackals (1), are generally able to feed on carrion, but it is worth understanding that most domestic dogs have gone so far from their wild ancestors that they have long ago lost all these talents. Their body has become as sensitive to food as ours. And the first reaction to any problem in the body is diarrhea or, more simply, diarrhea. There are also many breeds that are particularly demanding on the quality and type of food (for example, Chihuahuas), the same applies to white dogs, most of which are allergic.

But it should be understood that malnutrition is far from the only cause of diarrhea, and sometimes we can talk about really serious diseases, such as enteritis, hepatitis, helminthiases, the gastric form of distemper - officially this disease is called carnivore distemper (2) and others. Also, diarrhea in dogs can be a symptom of other ailments that at first glance are not related to nutrition.

“If you notice diarrhea in a dog, we always recommend seeing a veterinarian,” says veterinarian Ruslan Shadrin, “because what manifests itself as a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract does not always relate directly to it, it may be a secondary manifestation of some then another disease. And if it is viral, then it is quite serious, and the owner, unfortunately, will not help here in any way. Also, many diseases not related to digestion can manifest themselves in the form of diarrhea. This is primarily kidney damage. When toxins are not eliminated in sufficient quantities in the usual way, the body gets rid of them where it can: through the skin, through the mucous membranes, resulting in irritation and inflammation. These may also be problems of a cardiac nature: disturbances in blood pressure due to the work of the heart can also manifest themselves as various dyspeptic disorders. Also, the cause may be problems with the central nervous system, since the control of internal organs by the brain is disrupted. We can also talk about problems of organs that are associated with the digestive tract, but function outside it, for example, the liver. As a result, both the endocrine and exocrine systems of the animal’s body suffer.

Therefore, if you notice that your dog has been suffering from an upset stomach for more than a day, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

Diarrhea - characteristic features

If the animal is fine with its diet and there are no problems with digestion, bowel movements usually occur 2 to 4 times a day. The norm for feces is moderate humidity, the strength of fractions, the color of which can vary from light brown to dark. But, as soon as for any external or internal reason the dog’s digestive system is disrupted, the bulk of the feces begins to change. It may become more liquid in consistency, and traces of mucus, bloody discharge, and pieces of undigested food are often found in the feces. The color scheme of excrement also changes. They can be light (almost white), light or dark green, up to a pronounced black tint. The smell of feces also changes and differs; it becomes more pungent and unpleasant, it can be sour or distinctly putrefactive.

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Significant changes also occur in the behavior of the animal itself suffering from diarrhea. The dog behaves restlessly, rushes around the room, not finding a place for itself, and constantly asks to go outside. During this period, she can defecate 8 to 15 times a day. The animal's appearance is depressed, its behavior is apathetic, there is no appetite, and often the dog even refuses water. With prolonged, incessant diarrhea, the process of dehydration gradually begins in the body. This is an extremely dangerous phenomenon that threatens not only the health, but also the very life of the pet.

Classification of diarrhea in dogs

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No matter how unappetizing it may sound, but if you notice that your four-legged friend is moving differently than usual, pay attention to the nature of the stool.

If the only deviation from the norm is its consistency - it is more liquid than usual, then the reason for this is most likely a change in diet: either you recently switched the dog to a different type of food, or treated it to something unusual for it. In a word, the food did not go to waste. Draw conclusions and don’t experiment anymore.

However, if the feces have changed not only the consistency, but also the color or they contain mucus, you should be wary. They can be yellow, black, green and completely watery, and sometimes contain an admixture of blood. And here it’s worth contacting a specialist.

It is also necessary to distinguish between temporary diarrhea due to accidentally eaten low-quality food and chronic diarrhea that occurs against the background of more serious diseases.

Bloody diarrhea

If you notice that your four-legged friend is bleeding heavily, this is a reason to sound the alarm. As a rule, such manifestations signal serious disturbances in the functioning of the dog’s body.

The cause may be severe poisoning, and we are no longer talking about stale food - most likely, your dog has swallowed real poison. Also, bloody diarrhea in dogs, and especially in puppies, is a consequence of infection with an enterovirus. And here it is very important to provide timely veterinary care, since, unfortunately, the mortality rate from it is very high.

Enterocolitis (3), caused by foreign bodies entering the dog’s digestive tract, is unfortunately also a common cause of bloody diarrhea. Dogs, like small children, sometimes tend to swallow objects they play with, which in turn injure the delicate intestinal walls, causing bleeding. Sometimes such carelessly eaten little things are eliminated from the body naturally, but sometimes it’s impossible to do without the intervention of a veterinarian.

Bloody diarrhea can also be a manifestation of such a terrible disease as a tumor. In this case, the sooner you contact a veterinarian, the greater the chance of saving your friend's life.

Yellow diarrhea

If your dog's stool is yellow or yellowish in color, this is a sign that something is wrong with his liver. As a rule, this happens due to the fact that the pet is overfed with tasty handouts from the table. Fatty, overly sweet and rich foods can cause disruption of the liver and bile ducts.

If you know that you are weak in following the lead of your dog, who is a master at begging for tidbits, make a strong-willed effort on yourself and stop it. In this case, the yellow diarrhea should go away in a couple of days. But if this does not happen, take the dog to the veterinarian - most likely, we are talking about more serious disorders in the liver.

Green diarrhea

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If you notice this color in the piles left by your dog, then first you need to observe its behavior. There are usually two reasons.

First: the dog started eating grass. There is nothing wrong with this - in the wild, all canines from time to time eat some types of plants to maintain immunity and their own health. At the same time, instinct tells them exactly which types of grass are worth eating.

Second: if you have not noticed any tendency to eat green spaces, you should be wary - in this case, the green color of the feces most likely means congestion in the gallbladder. You are unlikely to cope with this disease on your own, so without delay, take your dog to the veterinarian.

Black diarrhea

This is quite an alarming symptom that you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to. The black color of stool is given by blood that has had time to coagulate, that is, its source is most likely the upper intestines. The cause may be a peptic ulcer or tumor, so it is better to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

However, before you sound the alarm about the color of your pet’s feces, first remember what he ate the day before. It often happens that owners are worried about the dog’s red or black feces, but it turns out that the dog just recently managed to pluck raspberry or blackberry bushes in their garden.

Infectious diseases with diarrhea

This group includes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites:

Foodborne toxic infections. This word hides disorders associated with opportunistic bacteria - clostridia, campylobacter, and less commonly Escherichia. They live peacefully in the intestines of a healthy dog. As the population increases, the release of toxic products increases. The animal begins to have watery greenish diarrhea and sometimes vomit. Bacteria enter the body along with contaminated meat and dairy products.
Intestinal parasites. Worms mechanically destroy mucous membranes. Microtraumas bleed, and helminth waste products are toxic to dogs. When examining stool, mucus, streaks of blood, and traces of parasites are found - eggs, larvae, adults.
Parvovirus enteritis. The first signs of the disease are complete refusal to eat and drink and debilitating vomiting with mucus. After 6 – 24 hours, diarrhea begins. The stool is first watery, yellowish-gray, then brown, dark red, foul-smelling, sometimes with traces of blood.
Coronavirus enteritis. The disease develops as a parvovirus infection, but dogs tolerate it more easily.
Adenoviral hepatitis. The dog becomes lethargic, the lymph nodes and liver enlarge, the cornea of the eye becomes cloudy, severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea begin.
Plague of carnivores of intestinal form. The symptoms of the disease resemble parvovirus, but the animal does not refuse water. Initial signs are vomiting and diarrhea with white or yellowish foam.
Piroplasmosis or babesiosis. The disease is carried by ixodid ticks. The dog's temperature rises sharply to 40 degrees, the color of the urine changes from dark yellow to brown. On days 2–3, yellow vomiting and diarrhea with blood and mucus begin.

Unvaccinated animals under one year of age are more likely to suffer from viral infections. Puppies under 5 months often die. The only way to protect your pet is to vaccinate it on time.

Treatment of diarrhea in dogs

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If you notice that your dog often asks to go to the toilet, then be patient and watch it for 24 hours. Keep your pet on a diet: for the first day it is better to abstain completely from food, but you should give as much boiled water as possible. If the animal’s condition does not worsen - it does not become lethargic, inactive, and the stomach does not hurt when pressed, begin to slowly offer it boiled turkey or strictly skinless chicken breast, liquid low-fat broth, or rice water. In short, care for your tailed friend the same way you would a person who has suffered food poisoning. However, if his condition worsens within a day, it is better to take the dog to a veterinary clinic, where all the necessary tests will be carried out, a correct diagnosis will be made and a treatment strategy will be developed.

The main thing is, do not try to treat your pet with folk remedies, which are most often very questionable and can do more harm than good.

Catering for an animal with diarrhea

Many people who have pets are interested in what they can feed their dog if he has diarrhea. It is important to remember that in case of diarrhea in the first day it is necessary to exclude any food, leaving only plenty of drink without restrictions. Feeding in the first days after the disappearance of symptoms should be as gentle as possible, light, and the food should be well digestible.

Suitable:

- rice cereal in meat broth;

- low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt (on day 3), dairy products help restore microflora;

- light protein foods, boiled chicken meat, etc.

Diagnostics

It should be understood that unless you are a veterinarian yourself, it is better not to take responsibility for making a diagnosis. When your dog's diarrhea does not go away for several days, you should consult a specialist.

“We will definitely conduct a full examination, take the main indicators: temperature, pulse, breathing, etc.,” explains veterinarian Ruslan Shadrin. – Plus, at the same time, we ask the owners about the methods of keeping, feeding and living conditions of the animal, and treating it from parasites. And this helps us make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment. Because self-medication does not always give the desired result. And sometimes we have to treat a dog not for viruses, but for the consequences of such folk therapy, in particular from alcohol poisoning, which owners often give to their pets, trying to cure them of poisoning or distemper.

When going to your appointment, you should bring your pet's feces with you for analysis, which is necessary to identify the cause of the disease. Also, the clinic will certainly perform an ultrasound of the animal’s abdominal cavity, and, if necessary, an X-ray examination, as well as a blood test. If pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract are not identified, veterinarians will examine other organs, since stomach upset can be caused by a variety of reasons.

What to drink for a dog with soft stools?

One of the main dangers of diarrhea, especially for puppies and small dogs, is dehydration. To prevent complications of diarrhea and quickly stop diarrhea, your pet must be given water. It's better to do this little by little, but often. Many animals refuse to eat, but are very thirsty. On the first day of illness, pets can be given not only water, but also rice water, which will act as a mild medicine. You can also treat diarrhea with decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, oak bark, marshmallow root. Regidron solution will also help maintain the water-salt balance, but it is not always possible to give the dog a drink, then you can inject a small amount of liquid into the mouth using a syringe.

Modern methods of treatment

Treatment of diarrhea in dogs is carried out after an accurate diagnosis has been made. Also, in addition to the main therapy aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease, a set of measures is carried out to replenish the supply of moisture in the body, which is lost in large quantities during diarrhea. Anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics are also prescribed, and an individual diet is developed. During the recovery stages, the dog also receives immunostimulants to help its body recover faster.

In severe cases, when the cause of diarrhea is a foreign body in the intestines or a tumor, surgery is prescribed. It is performed under general anesthesia in the presence of an anesthesiologist, so that the health and life of the four-legged patient is not in danger.

Forms of the disorder

There are a number of varieties of the disorder, thanks to which it is possible to determine why a dog has diarrhea.

Acute diarrhea is characterized by the duration of loose stools (2 weeks). If additional symptoms did not appear (lethargy, temperature), the disorder could be caused by the consumption of dairy and fatty products, poor quality food, perhaps not suitable for the breed. This disorder can be easily corrected on your own, but if the result is negative (diarrhea has not gone away or worsened on the 3rd day of treatment), a visit to the veterinarian is required. Small decorative breeds such as Chihuahuas have sensitive stomachs and are often susceptible to this disorder.
The second form of acute diarrhea is typical for unvaccinated puppies. It is caused by the presence of various diseases in the body - from enteritis to plague. The cause is poisoning with various poisons and chemicals. An urgent visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
Chronic diarrhea is characterized by loose stools lasting more than 2 weeks. This form manifests itself as a result of the appearance and development of chronic diseases in the dog (pancreatitis, gastritis, salmonellosis, dysbacteriosis, the appearance of helminths, etc.).

Preventing diarrhea in dogs at home

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Since the most common cause of diarrhea in dogs is improper feeding, it is necessary to monitor your pet’s menu. You need to choose the right diet for him and not deviate from it. Under no circumstances should you overfeed your dog - handouts from your table will do nothing but harm. If you are a supporter of natural food, make sure that your tailed friend’s diet is balanced and that the food is fresh and cooked.

From puppyhood, wean your dog from the habit of picking up anything on the street - through such street “delicacies”, infection with parasites or pathogens of various infectious diseases, such as enteritis or distemper, most often occurs.

And, of course, make sure that your dog is less likely to encounter stressful situations - do not shout at him and do not raise your hand under any circumstances, because nervous shocks often affect the state of the body of our smaller brothers.

Prevention

To prevent diarrhea, you need to think carefully about the diet of your four-legged friend. The diet should be balanced, nutritious, and fully cover the dog’s need for vitamins and minerals. If you prefer dry food, choose only high-quality products.

Clean regularly and keep your dog's things clean. Do not give your dog foods that are not intended for it (even if the dog really asks for it). Smoked meats, fatty foods, raw fish, spicy and pickled foods from the owners’ table will only harm the puppy.

It is impossible to keep track of the puppy in everything; the little curious pet will have time to stick its nose everywhere. But try to keep an eye on the puppy during walks, remove away all small objects that the dog can eat - then the risk of diarrhea from malnutrition will be minimized. And to prevent serious diseases, get all vaccinations and deworming in a timely manner.

Unusual stool color

A change in the color of the stool is also a cause for great concern. Symptoms may indicate serious illnesses:

green - feces become green due to dysbacteriosis, feeding with low-quality food, and bacterial and viral infections;
black - indicates bleeding in the stomach, but stool turns black even if you give your pet activated charcoal;
red - indicates bloody discharge in the gastrointestinal tract, damage to the walls or blood vessels;
yellow - occurs with indigestion, liver failure, worms, if the stool is liquid, yellow and has an unpleasant odor, and the body temperature is low, it is necessary to exclude parvovirus enteritis;
white is a dangerous symptom indicating a possible blockage of the biliary tract, which requires emergency treatment.

Therapeutic diet and drinking regime

If your pet has diarrhea, the first step is to put him on a 12-24 hour fasting diet. Representatives of dwarf breeds, as well as newborn puppies, should not be fed for more than 6-10 hours. In this case, the pet must have constant access to fresh drinking filtered water.

If the animal refuses to drink on its own, pour water into the mouth in small portions through a regular syringe without a needle. Water can be replaced with tea or herbal infusions with the approval of a veterinarian - you will receive an initial consultation by phone. It may be easier for your dog to lick an ice cube - this is a good solution if he is vomiting.

“ Please note that giving a puppy solid food when it has diarrhea is strictly prohibited. Especially if there is mucus in the excrement. Eating food can trigger vomiting and will only make the situation worse.

Fasting relieves inflammation in the intestines and gastrointestinal tract, and also stops minor internal bleeding. To normalize the electrolyte balance and replenish fluid loss in the body, give the puppy Regidron solution.

In severe advanced cases, infusion therapy is carried out in a veterinary clinic. Physiological solutions (isotonic glucose, Ringer-Locke solution) are administered intravenously to puppies.

Every dog owner should know what to feed his puppy when he has diarrhea - this will come in handy at least once in his life. Symptoms of diarrhea are quickly relieved by steep rice decoction, decoction of oak bark, chamomile, St. John's wort, sage, and yarrow. These simple and affordable remedies have an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect. Before use, consult a veterinarian.

“ At the first signs of improvement, you can give the puppy boiled chicken or turkey meat, veal, or lean broth. An alternative is dietary wet food.

Gradually introduce fermented milk products into your diet - low-fat cottage cheese, natural yogurt, kefir. Fermented milk nutrition has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and normalizes the intestinal flora. For porridges, it is best to give buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, cooked in water or meat broth. Introduce new foods into your diet gradually, in small portions.

Food must be crushed for at least the first 3-4 days to make it easier for the intestines to digest it. The daily portion is divided into many small parts and served warm to the puppy more often than usual. If the dog refuses to eat, there is no need to force him - but you will definitely have to give him water.

Dry food is excluded from the diet for a while, replacing it with natural food or wet diet food. All dishes must be fresh and of high quality.

Types of poisoning

Depending on the way toxic substances that can cause poisoning enter the dog’s body, as well as the type of substances that cause intoxication in the dog, poisoning is divided into:

Food poisoning - toxic substances enter the dog's body through the mouth. The source of food poisoning can be spoiled food, medicines, and household chemicals. Sometimes poisoning in a dog can occur as a result of licking highly toxic drugs from its fur.
Non-food poisoning - bites of poisonous snakes (the dog was bitten by a snake) or insects (the dog was bitten by a bee or wasp, what to do?). Poisoning from household chemicals, rodent baits, carbon monoxide or gasoline fumes. Overdose of medicinal substances when treating a dog for worms and fleas.

Factors that cause vomiting and diarrhea

Numerous factors can cause nausea, work, and diarrhea:

Stress. For example, a trip by car.
Spoiled or unsuitable food for the dog.
Poisoning. For example, grapes, chocolate and avocados are dangerous foods for dogs.
Poisoning by other toxins.
Foreign body of the digestive tract.
Infections, such as parvovirus enteritis. It is most aggressive in young, unvaccinated animals.
Worms.
Inflammation of the digestive system, pancreas, liver.
Severe renal failure.
Reaction to drugs, for example, when taking anti-inflammatory drugs on an empty stomach.
Oncology.

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Age-appropriate causes of diarrhea

Frequent loose stools for a day or more indicate serious problems in the baby’s body - it could be poisoning or a virus.

Acute diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days is a serious reason for a full examination to identify diseases.

Newborns are having fun

The breeder must carefully monitor the condition of the newly whelped bitch and her offspring. It happens that newborn puppies develop eating disorders - usually the reasons are as follows:

the kitten does not accept mother's milk or reacts poorly to what the mother has eaten;
an allergic reaction to artificial nutrition is detected;
E. coli, streptococcus or staphylococcus;
a virus transmitted from the mother.

Elimination of any of the causes requires the intervention of a veterinarian. It is prohibited to independently treat a bitch and her offspring - even the simplest disease can kill babies in a few hours if treated incorrectly. Therefore, if there is the slightest problem, the breeder should contact the clinic.

A puppy at 1 month

Diarrhea in a 1 month old puppy can be caused by:

poor nutrition (early introduction of complementary foods);
teething;
the presence of infection in the body;
parasitic infestations (fleas or helminths).

First of all, complementary feeding is changed to specialized wet food. If the stool disorder does not stop, we are talking about more serious cases. Infections with parasites or viruses must be treated by a doctor.

In a puppy at 2 months

It happens that completely independent puppies experience indigestion, including loose stools. Diarrhea in a puppy at 2 months is caused by the following:

excessive gluttony - most children do not have a feeling of satiety, the problem is especially acute in small breed dogs;
poor nutrition – bad food or stale natural food;
the presence of worms in the body;
infectious disease.

Therapy for puppies of this age is carried out with medications under the supervision of a veterinarian. Self-treatment is dangerous - it risks overdose, intoxication, or simply ineffectiveness.

If the kitten is simply overeating, reduce the amount of food eaten at a time.

Puppy 3 months or older

During this period of life, the pet becomes completely independent. He studies everything around him that could affect his health: injuries, poisoning or infections are not uncommon. In addition, at the age of 3-4 months, dogs' teeth change, which can also cause loose stools. Diarrhea in a 3-4 month old puppy can also appear after vaccination.

Treatment for your pet depends entirely on the diagnosis. To alleviate the animal’s condition, you can give sorbents, for example, Smecta or Polysorb, but only after you have consulted with a veterinarian about the dosage.

Pet diet for diarrhea

If diarrhea is caused by poor diet, what can you do:

Give your dog plenty of water to prevent dehydration and a lack of electrolytes in the blood. Otherwise, you will have to give IVs with saline;
at the initial stage of diarrhea, you can skip one or two feedings; there is no need to force feed;
At first it is better to feed with liquid dietary food, giving it in small portions;
review your diet, eliminate heavy or low-quality foods.

What to feed your dog with diarrhea:

on the first day, feed with rice water, and if the pet has an appetite, then you can give a little liquid rice porridge;
on the second day, give rice porridge in small portions several times a day;
on the third day, if the diarrhea has stopped, then the rice can be cooked in chicken or weak beef broth;
subsequently, veal, chicken, eggs and fermented milk products are gradually introduced.

Why is diarrhea so dangerous for babies?

The danger of diarrhea for puppies is that, along with liquid feces, nutrients that are so necessary for growth and maturation are washed out of the body. If a puppy has loose stools, this can lead to intoxication and dehydration (dehydration), which, in turn, provokes various disorders.

In addition, the water-electrolyte balance, metabolic processes, acid-base reactions are immediately disturbed, and dehydration quickly occurs. With normal functioning of the intestines, approximately 55-70% of the incoming fluid is absorbed into the body, and with diarrhea it is almost completely excreted in the feces. Wherein:

puppies lose weight quickly;
look exhausted, lethargic;
general body temperature decreases;
the condition of their fur deteriorates;
the skin thickens;
mucous membranes become dry;
the body's immune strength decreases.

Prolonged dehydration is fraught with coma, death and is very dangerous for the health of a small pet, especially for miniature breed dogs. Even with one-time diarrhea, it is important to feed your pet to maintain fluid in its body.

Help at home

If your pet has developed intestinal problems relatively recently, you can try to help the puppy yourself. What you need to do from the very beginning:

fill the animal’s bowl with clean filtered, not cold water (do not replace the water with another drink - milk or soup broth);
during illness, remove excrement immediately, wash the tray and bedding thoroughly - this will protect against the spread of infection, if any;
do not give food to the puppy for 24 hours;
Do not force the animal to drink in the first hours.

Rapidly developing diarrhea throughout the day may be the first sign of a bacterial or viral infection. Under such circumstances, it is not advisable to delay a visit to the veterinarian. The best option would be to invite a doctor to your home so as not to tire your already sick pet and not create unnecessary discomfort for him.

Unfortunately, sometimes it is impossible to cure an animal at home, but you can always alleviate the animal’s condition before a specialist arrives. The most important thing is to avoid dehydration and be extremely attentive to other symptoms that may appear within a few days.