Dog diarrhea is an unpleasant, yet common problem for dogs. There are a number of reasons your dog may contract a case of diarrhea, and it is very important that you, as a dog owner, figure out what may be causing it. Dog diarrhea may be caused by something simple, but sometimes it may be a sign your dog may have a serious illness that needs to be taken care of right away by a veterinarian. It is important to carefully observe your dog’s behavior while he is dealing with diarrhea, and seek treatment if necessary.
Other signs to look for when dealing with a serious case of dog diarrhea include lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. Since some causes of diarrhea may be more serious than others, it is important to keep an eye out for serious symptoms along with dog diarrhea.
Causes Of Diarrhea In Dogs
Age
Diarrhea in puppies can be caused by very serious viruses such as canine parvovirus and parasites. Puppies at the age of 2-3 weeks must get vaccinations to prevent illness that may cause diarrhea. Dog diarrhea in dogs that are older than 6 or 7 may also be very serious.
Diarrhea in older dogs is usually caused by serious illnesses such as cancers, gastrointestinal disease and kidney disease. Older dogs tend to have a sensitive immune system, and diarrhea can easily cause dehydration very quickly.
Stress or Excitement
Some dogs, especially puppies or adopted dogs tend to get very over-excited on certain occasions. An exciting event such as a road trip or a move may cause dog diarrhea. Alternatively, if your dog knows he is going to the veterinarian, stress may cause diarrhea as well.
Dog diarrhea caused by stress is usually not very serious, and usually goes away on its own. The good news is that dogs and puppies can be trained to calm down, so diarrhea does not happen every time they get excited or stressed out.
Illness or foreign substances
Much the same as humans, dogs may contract viruses such as kennel cough, which is comparable to the human flu. Sometimes the illness may be serious, but other times it just passes on its own within a few days. Dog diarrhea may also be caused by something he ate. Dogs are natural born scavengers, so diarrhea may be caused by rotten garbage, dead rodents, or something else that does not agree with his stomach.
Sometimes dog diarrhea caused by consuming a foreign substance can be dangerous. These include times when your dog has eaten rat poison, broken glass or a poisoned animal. Look out for blood in your dog’s diarrhea, and call the veterinarian immediately.
Medications or Vaccinations
Have you recently given your dog a new medication? Some side effects may cause dog diarrhea. Even recent vaccinations from the vet may cause diarrhea as well. If your dog gets diarrhea right after a visit to the vet, chances are he may be having a reaction to the vaccine. Sometimes it can be a serious condition called vaccinosis, so call your veterinarian right away.
Most times, diarrhea will clear on its own from vaccinations after a few days. It is more important to have your dog vaccinated for illnesses than to skip them simply to avoid dog diarrhea.
Change of Environment
Dog diarrhea from change of environment ties into stress. A sudden change in your dog’s daily routine or environment may cause stress-induced diarrhea. Dogs are creatures of habit, and some do not react well to drastic changes. Even a small change in his lifestyle, such as a change of food, may cause diarrhea.
A new addition to the family, or a loss in the family may cause dog diarrhea. Moving to a new home is a common trigger for dog diarrhea as well. If it is possible, try to make this new change as gradual as possible to avoid too much stress.
The Next Step
Dog diarrhea is a sign itself that your dog is not well. Always talk to your veterinarian for the best advice on how to deal with your dog’s case of diarrhea. Keep an eye out for more serious symptoms such as loss of coordination, seizures, rapid breathing and loss of vision, as these are usually signs of organ failure or cancers.
Normally, diarrhea will cure on its own without medication or emergency requirement, but it’s better safe than sorry for your dog.
For more information about dog diarrhea, home remedies, treatment options and more, visit www.dogdiarrheahelp.com










