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Dog Diarrhea

"Dog diarrhea has a number of causes ranging from infection, ingestion of foreign objects, food allergy, food intolerance (inability to digest) and parasites. The key to treatment is to remove any underlying cause and restore balance to the digestive system through dietary change. Usually a simple diet of chicken and rice will help. If symptoms don't improve after 24 hours or if diarrhea is frequent see your veterinarian to avoid dehydration and for a complete diagnosis."



The dog health guide is a complete resource for understanding the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of canine diarrhea.

Quick Links to information on Canine Diarrhea

Control Dog Diarrhea
Common Causes of Canine Diarrhea
Problems with the Pancreas
Diarrhea due to Enzyme Deficiency
Diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Disease

Small and Large Intestine Problems
Viral Causes
Parvo virus
Illness as a cause of dog diarrhea

Dog with Diarrhea Symptoms
Gray Color
Yellow Color
Vomit Color
Vomit and Diarrhea Together
Symptoms of Intestinal Causes of Diarrhea

Treatment of Dog With Diarrhea
Canine Diarrhea Over the Counter Human Medication
Pepto-Bismol
Kaopectate
Immodium

Dog Diarrhea Diet
Chicken and Rice Diet
Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics
Natural Medicine

dog diarrhea

Dog diarrhea caused by canine salmon poisoning. Diarrhea often stops after the toxins have been eliminated from the body
Source: WSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Dog Diarrhea Problems

Canine diarrhea is a symptom of many diseases and is a reflection of a problem in the way your dog's body is absorbing nutrients. When this system becomes out of balance due to an infection, illness, allergy, parasites or medication that your dog doesn't tolerate well, the body reacts with diarrhea.

Dog Diarrhea Guide
Dog Diarrhea ProblemsPossible CauseAction
More than a few drops of Blood in DiarrheaPossible serious illness or intestinal diseaseVisit Vet ASAP
Diarrhea and vomitingPoisoning, Parvo, IllnessVisit Vet ASAP
Change in Behavior such as depressionIllnessVisit Vet ASAP
Combination of:* Stomach pain
* Weight loss
* Stomach Rumbling
* Vomiting
* Gas
* Dehydration
* Changed appetite
* Dark bloody stools
* Low levels of protein in the blood (Hypoproteinemia)
* Fluid buildup in the abdomen (Ascites)
* Fluid buildup in the tissue such as swelling in the legs
Small Intestine ProblemChange diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. See Veterinarian
Diarrhea - including mucus, bright red blood
* Constipation
* Increased frequency of defecation
* Difficulty deficating or urinating (Tenesmus)
* Inability to defecate without pain or difficulty (Dyschezia)
* Vomiting
* Weight loss
Large intestine diseaseChange diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. See Veterinarian
Diarrhea only symptomMild Infection, allergy, food intoleranceChange diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. If recurs see Vet.
Dog Yellow DiarrheaFood Intolerance, Eating of non-digestible objectHold food for 24 hours. Change diet to chicken/rice after 24 hours. Plenty of water. If recurs or doesn't stop after 24 hours see Vet.
Black FecesBleeding or irritation in the digestive tractSee your veterinarian to be checked for serious disease
Light colored fecesLiver problemsSee your veterinarian
Grey feces with strong odorCalm digestive system. Withhold food for 24 hours. Provide water. Use chicken/rice diet.

Approach to Dog with Diarrhea Treatment

Most veterinarians will begin treatment by checking your dog for parasitic causes of diarrhea. If this is ruled out then they move on to dietary change.

Dietary change begins with switching your dog's current diet to a commercially available hypoallergenic diet to see if food allergy is the cause. This type of diet can also be prepared at home. Many vets suggest a commercial diet that contain hydrolyzed proteins since this type of protein is absorbed better into the body. Most dogs do well with this type of diet and will respond in one week to 10 days.

If this doesn't help, medications are prescribed that help with canine diarrhea caused by issues such as colitis. Usually this involves the drug metronidazole and an increase of fiber in the diet. Other choices include antibiotics to fight any bacterial infection (metronidazole, tylosine, tetracycline).

If this doesn't work then additional testing is done including blood tests, examination of the digestive system and biopsies of the intestines.

After ruling out other causes your veterinarian may indicate that your dog as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD). Treatment for this condition includes several weeks of prescription corticosteroids. If it works the drug is slowly decreased in dose over time.

If diarrhea is a persistent problem and all of the above has been ruled out, then it might make sense to try restoring balance to your dogs digestive system such as PetAlive. Ingredients include Plantago major (Plantain), Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) and Podophyllum (6C), all known for helping to restore normal stools. Discuss this option with your veterinarian.

Have a Diarrhea Related Question For Our Editors or A Story to Tell About This Topic?

Do you have a dog diarrhea or other digestive system related question for our Editors or a helpful story to share? Please include information such as age, sex, breed, medical history, diet changes in behavior and medications.

We will do our best to get back to you quickly (depends on how many questions we receive each day). If you do require an immediate response we suggest using this online dog veterinary service that is available now.

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Chicken Rice Diet for Dog Diarrhea?  Not rated yet
I am surprised to see that so many suggest chicken-rice diet in cases of dog diarrhea. Chicken and beef are the greatest allergens with dogs. I have a ...

Sources

How I Treat Chronic Canine Enteropathies - Old and New Options
F.P. Gaschen
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University


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