It is very likely that in some point of your dog’s life, he will have a case of diarrhea. Diarrhea in dogs is not uncommon, and can usually be cleared without a veterinarian prescription. Sometimes, however, diarrhea can be caused by a more serious underlying illness. If left untreated for too long, diarrhea can lead to dehydration and organ failure. Most cases of dog diarrhea should only last a few days. If your dog’s diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours, or there are other symptoms such as blood or vomiting, it is important to bring him to the veterinarian right away.
Your vet will be able to tell you the exact cause of your dog’s diarrhea, as well as best treatment options for his particular case. Unless the cause is very serious, your dog can usually be sent home with some medical remedies and recommendations for home treatments. The main causes of diarrhea include:
- Worms
- Excitement or stress
- Parvo
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Parasites
- Simple viruses
Types of diarrhea in dogs
Diarrhea is the passage of loose, unformed feces. Normal feces contains no mucous, undigested food or blood. If your dog has diarrhea, there is usually a large amount of stool passed at a time, and more frequent bowel movements. These movements are often uncontrollable and typically smell a lot worse than regular feces. There are two main types of dog diarrhea.
Acute diarrhea – Acute diarrhea is described as being a natural occurrence. Your dog’s system may develop diarrhea to rid itself of toxins and other potential hazards as quickly as possible. Your dog’s behavior will likely stay the same, and other symptoms are usually not present. Acute diarrhea is not caused by disease, and should cure itself within a day or so.
Chronic diarrhea – Chronic diarrhea in dogs is a cause for concern. Even though all diarrhea generally looks and smells the same, chronic diarrhea is typically caused by something serious. Chronic diarrhea in dogs may last for 3-5 days, which if left untreated, can actually lead to death. Dogs with a case of chronic diarrhea are often hospitalized and monitored closely to ensure they do not become dehydrated, and that secondary illnesses do not attack the system.
Chronic diarrhea is often seen in illnesses such as canine parvovirus.
For more information about diarrhea in dogs, causes, treatment options and even home remedies, visit www.dogdiarrheahelp.com
