All dogs occasionally have diarrhea or soft stools, and in most cases, we don't need to worry excessively.
But if the condition persists, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it might be hiding an illness.
Let's then try to understand why it occurs, what could be the causes, and how to intervene with the correct remedy for each individual case.
Why does the dog have diarrhea?
Diarrhea is nothing more than a defense mechanism of the body, which tries to get rid of a substance that it cannot tolerate, or that is present in excess, as quickly as possible.
And when we examine the feces, it's important not to consider only liquid diarrhea as an abnormal condition, but also factors such as the consistency of the feces themselves and the frequency of defecation.
How long does dog diarrhea last?
Diarrhea can be:
Acute, meaning it appears as an occasional episode.
Recurrent, disappearing and reappearing cyclically.
Chronic, meaning it continues.
Why do dogs get diarrhea?
The reasons can be varied:
Ingestion of food not suitable for dogs.
Consumption of harmful substances.
Excess food.
Food intolerance or allergy.
Change in diet.
Ingestion of spoiled food.
Viral or bacterial infection, such as distemper or parvovirus.
Liver dysfunction.
Poisoning.
Parasite infestation.
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Pancreatitis.
Addison's disease.
Emotions such as stress, fear, pain.
Neurological problems.
Taking medication.
What to do if the dog has diarrhea?
It depends on the case:
1 – Acute Diarrhea
If the diarrhea is acute, meaning it appears suddenly, and the dog does not show other symptoms, you can simply leave it fasting for a day to allow the intestine to rest.
Ensure the dog always has plenty of water available, as diarrhea could dehydrate it.
If the diarrhea lasts more than a day, consult a veterinarian.
2 – Recurrent Diarrhea
In this case, it could be a food intolerance or an inappropriate diet for the dog, and the stools are rather soft even when diarrhea is not triggered. They generally contain a lot of mucus.
However, if the dog's health status is altered, and the symptoms described in the next paragraph are present, the dog might be suffering from an early-stage disease.
It's better to see a veterinarian with a sample of the feces to get an answer as quickly as possible.
If neglected, recurrent diarrhea could become chronic, so it's better to intervene promptly.
3 – Chronic Diarrhea
First, try to identify the causes of diarrhea in the dog. Sometimes the feces can give us some indication:
Soft or liquid feces with a lot of mucus: possible food intolerance or intestinal problems.
Diarrhea with dark-colored blood: possible internal hemorrhage.
Foamy, floating, and shiny feces: the dog might have giardiasis.
Yellowish-colored diarrhea: could be pancreatitis, or a liver problem.
Often chronic diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Lethargy.
Depression.
Dehydration.
Fever.
Vomiting.
Pain during defecation.
How to diagnose the cause of diarrhea in a dog
In the presence of the symptoms described above, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian along with a stool sample, and the doctor will perform the necessary analyses to identify the ongoing pathology:
What to give a dog with acute diarrhea?
After the 24 hours of fasting, you can give the dog a light meal. It's better to stick to some boiled chicken or meat lightly cooked in a pan.
Avoid pasta and rice in the first meal, and also vegetables, as the fibers could strain the intestine again.
Then you can reintroduce some well-cooked rice and some boiled carrots, and continue with boiled or lightly cooked meat in the following days.
Once the acute episode is resolved, you can give the dog a cycle of probiotics to help restore the bacterial flora. Probably 1 or 2 weeks of intake will be enough.
If the diarrhea continues for more than a day, it's better to take the dog to the veterinarian.
What to give a dog with diarrhea and blood
First, it's important to make an important distinction: what kind of blood is present in the dog's feces?
If traces of bright red blood appear in the feces, it probably comes from a small tear that the dog made in the attempt to defecate or with continuous strain, and it is not dangerous.
If the blood is dark or black, it's probably internal bleeding, in which case the dog must be taken immediately to the veterinarian, or it could die.
Once all the necessary exams are performed, the veterinarian will clarify the best diet for the dog's recovery, and what medicines to administer.
If it's a simple anal lesion, after a day of fasting, you can feed the animal boiled rice, chicken, and carrots for a few days and see how it goes.
What to give a dog with diarrhea and vomiting
As above, fasting for 24 hours and then a meal of only boiled meat, and then rice and carrots.
Important: a dog with vomiting and diarrhea is very dehydrated, and you must ensure that it drinks a lot.
If it refuses to eat, don't force it, but fluids must be replenished, so if the dog doesn't drink for many hours you can use a syringe without a needle. And try to get it to drink with that.
But it must be clear that if vomiting and diarrhea persist for more than a day, you must take the dog to the veterinarian immediately.
And be careful, because vomiting and diarrhea can be among the symptoms of poisoning.
Can I give Imodium to my dog?
Yes, the medicine is safe, but only if taken in the right amounts. You can find the recommended dosage chart here.
And to learn how to administer the pill to the dog, read here!
What medication should I give my dog for diarrhea?
When it comes to medications, it's always better to consult a veterinarian, who will be able to indicate the ideal types and dosage.
You will find many products online that can be useful in case of need. We have tried these, and they work well:
Nbf Lanes Carobin Pet Ultra for episodes of acute diarrhea, priced at 17 Euros.
Petformance Wellness for dogs and cats Fermentiflora, probiotics and prebiotics, priced at 12.00 Euros.
Florentero Act, also recommended in case of pharmacological treatments or organic debilitation, priced at 20.00 Euros.
Toxicity in the Collie breed
According to this study, cases of Loperamide toxicity in the Collie breed have been verified. If you have one of these dogs, ask your veterinarian before administering the drug.
If you found this post helpful in understanding the needs of your four-legged friend, you won't want to miss our other posts on health, care, and education of the dog. Come and discover them with us!
Disclaimer
The information provided on our site is of a general nature and does not in any way replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. The information on temperament is general and does not concern the individual dog: each dog is unique and has its own character.
