Does your dog have diarrhea? Is canine diarrhea ever something to worry about, or is your pet generally going to be okay if she’s suffering from this symptom? What does it mean when your dog has diarrhea, and when is it an emergency?

In the article below, we’ll answer all these questions and more. With the help of this guide, you should have a better understanding of what it means when your dog has diarrhea, what could be causing it, and when you need to treat it like an emergency as well. Read on to find out more.

Causes

Listed below are the main causes for this condition:

Diet

One of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs is a change in diet. If your dog’s food has been suddenly changed to a new flavor or brand without weaning her off of the first one, or if you’ve started giving her new types of treats, these could be the causes of her diarrhea. This type of diarrhea usually clears up quickly.

Overexertion

Some dogs may develop diarrhea when they overexert themselves or become overexcited about something. If your dog has been playing too hard or if she’s gotten excessively worked up, you may notice she has a couple of rounds of diarrhea before her digestion goes back to normal. This problem should clear up in about a day.

Bacterial or Viral Infection

Dogs with bacterial or viral digestive infections typically develop diarrhea. Diarrhea can be a symptom of a wide range of infections in dogs, so it’s important to have your pet checked by a veterinary professional if you suspect she could be sick with something.

Parasites

Parasites, especially those that affect the digestive system, are commonly associated with diarrhea in dogs. If your dog is on a regular de-wormer, this typically won’t be a problem for her. However, worms and other intestinal parasites are especially frequent in young puppies who haven’t been dewormed yet.

Food Intolerance or Allergy

Dogs who have an intolerance or an allergy to certain ingredients in their food may suffer a round of diarrhea after eating. If your dog’s diarrhea seems to be associated with the times when she eats, this could be the cause. Try changing her to a different, higher-quality food to see if it makes a difference.

Stress

Stress is a major contributing factor in canine diarrhea. Dogs who are overly stressed or upset about something usually have a few rounds of diarrhea before going back to normal. Your dog’s diarrhea should clear up after the stress factor has been removed, and after you give her a little bit of time to calm down following the issue.

Emergency Situations

Listed below are dog diarrhea situations where you should call your emergency vet:

Bloody Diarrhea

Blood in the diarrhea can sometimes be an emergency. If the blood is bright red and streaked, however, this is probably caused by hemorrhoids and is nothing to worry about. If the blood is dark red or black, this is an emergency and should be treated right away.

Uncontrollable Diarrhea

If your dog’s diarrhea is uncontrollable to the point that she cannot even get outside before it occurs, this is an emergency as well. Go to the emergency vet right away for uncontrollable diarrhea.

Diarrhea Longer than 24 Hours

Diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours is very concerning and may be an emergency. If your dog has no other symptoms, you may be able to see your regular vet for long-lasting diarrhea. However, if the regular vet is unavailable or your dog shows other symptoms of an issue, go to the emergency vet instead.

Diarrhea with Dehydration

Dehydration is quick to occur in dogs who have multiple bouts of diarrhea. If your dog’s eyes appear sunken, if her heart rate is high, or if her skin does not “snap” back into place immediately when you lift it at her shoulder blades, these are all signs of dehydration. Dehydration can be deadly if left untreated for too long.

Diarrhea with Vomiting

Vomiting along with diarrhea is common but can quickly lead to dehydration as well. If your dog vomits and has diarrhea more than once or twice, go to the emergency vet, as she may need IV fluids to recover.

Seek Veterinary Care for Dog Diarrhea

Based on this information, it’s easy to see how concerning diarrhea can become. The good news is that diarrhea is not typically a problem for dogs, and in most cases, it will resolve in just a short amount of time. However, if your dog’s diarrhea lasts longer than a day or contains any blood, then this is a more concerning situation. When in doubt, always go to the emergency vet if you suspect your dog may be dealing with a health crisis. Otherwise, it’s usually okay to wait 24 hours and see how your pet’s health is doing before you rush off to the vet.

If you’re concerned about dog diarrhea, or if you have any other questions about your pet’s health, call or bring your cat in to any of our VEG locations. With locations all over the country, we have emergency veterinarians available 24/7 to help guide you in the best direction and make sure your cat receives the care they need. 

— Update: 14-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Pool of Stool: When Is Dog Diarrhea an Emergency? from the website outwardhound.com for the keyword when is dog diarrhea an emergency.

Every pooch has a little diarrhea every now and again. Who doesn’t? Often, it’s no big deal, but sometimes it’s an indicator of something far more serious. That could mean anything from just an upset stomach to cancer.

So how can a loving pet parent know when a bout of diarrhea is nothing to worry about or a life-threatening emergency? Let’s take a look at the scoop on your dog’s poop!

What are Common Causes of Diarrhea?

There are a number of different causes of diarrhea. At the heart of what’s happening is that the normal movement of the gastrointestinal tract, known as peristalsis, has become too rapid because it’s trying to get something out of the body quickly. It’s really one of the body’s defense mechanisms.

It results in diarrhea which can be mild or severe, but even mild bouts of diarrhea can become a problem if the problem goes on for too long. Let’s explore a little more.

Read more  Diarrhea is the 2nd Most Common Dog ER Visit – What You Should Know

Mild Cases of Diarrhea

Mild cases of diarrhea may not seem like they require a trip to the vet, but they can pose a serious threat to pet health. Even if it is something that can be treated relatively easily, ignoring the problem can result in a life-threatening situation.

It is common for your pet to get mild diarrhea every now and again. This is often a reaction by your dog’s body to something it wants to get rid of fast. For example, perhaps your pup got into the garbage and ate something his system is not used to, or that was spoiled.

Perhaps you changed his dog food or treats, and that has caused diarrhea. That kind of diarrhea will often pass (pun intended), but if it lasts for too long, it can become a problem. Chronic diarrhea, even if it’s mild, can cause dehydration, and that can become a serious health issue in and of itself.

Pancreatitis

Additionally, sometimes eating something he’s not used to can give your dog a case of pancreatitis. In addition to producing insulin, the pancreas also produces certain digestive enzymes.

When your dog gets into the garbage or eats too many table scraps at Thanksgiving, for example, the pancreas can become inflamed, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. This situation will often require a trip to the emergency vet.

Intestinal parasites

Another common reason for bouts of diarrhea is intestinal parasites. Dogs are susceptible to several common parasites, including roundworms, giardia, whipworms, coccidia, and hookworms. All of these can cause loose bowel movements.

To diagnose intestinal parasites so you can treat them, you’ll need to take a sample of your dog’s stool to your veterinarian for analysis. They can figure out which one your dog has and give you medication to get rid of them. It’s important to get them treated because a large parasite infestation can threaten a puppy’s life, and it can compromise an adult dog’s immune system.

Stress & Anxiety

Another common cause of diarrhea is stress or anxiety. When your dog is stressed, it activates what is known as his fight or flight nervous system, the job of which is to prepare your dog for either fighting or fleeing a threat. Part of that preparation can be the evacuation of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in diarrhea.

Medication

It’s also possible that certain medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect, and this may be the problem. Again, even if this is mild in its expression, if it goes on for too long, you may need to contact your veterinarian to change the medication or diagnose the cause of the problem.

Serious Cases of Diarrhea

Other conditions that can cause diarrhea may indicate a more serious problem. It’s easy for dogs, particularly puppies, to ingest foreign objects. You know, they eat your couch, so they’re ingesting fabric and other items that are not normally on the menu.

They can also swallow toys or bones, and these can irritate their gastrointestinal tract or even cause a blockage in their intestines. If that happens, that’s a big problem that may require emergency veterinary care, including surgery.

Other serious health issues can lead to mild intestinal distress or more severe diarrhea. It’s always possible your dog has ingested some kind of toxin or poison, or he may have gotten ahold of something in the house, like human medications or certain plants, that are toxic for dogs. If you suspect this is the case, it is an emergency, and you’ll need to get to the animal hospital immediately.

There are also some other underlying causes of diarrhea that represent a serious threat to your dog’s health. These include:

• viral infections like parvovirus or even coronavirus
• bacterial infections like salmonella
• diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, liver or kidney disease
• intestinal cancer

These life-threatening diseases can cause chronic diarrhea, and they might also cause sporadic episodes of diarrhea. They are usually accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss. They will likely require more extensive veterinary attention that would include bloodwork, radiographs, and other types of diagnostic tests.

When Is Dog Diarrhea an Emergency? How to Tell If Your Pooch Needs Veterinary Attention.

The devil’s in the details, as they like to say. There are several things to consider if your dog is having bouts of diarrhea. For example, if he’s acting normal otherwise and diarrhea passes quickly, it’s likely nothing to be too concerned about.

You might mention it the next time you see your veterinarian. You might also take a sample of your dog’s stool for them to check for parasites. A good rule of thumb is that if your canine companion has two or more bouts of diarrhea, it warrants a visit to the vet.

Several recurring bouts of diarrhea, particularly if they happen over a short period of time, could be a sign of a serious health problem. This is certainly true if your pooch is elderly, very young, or if he has a compromised immune system.

Another symptom to look for is straining. One of the causes of dog diarrhea is the possibility that he ingested a foreign object. If your dog appears to be straining when he’s having a bowel movement, that could indicate a blockage somewhere in his digestive tract.

Other symptoms to look out for include hemorrhagic diarrhea (which simply means bloody diarrhea), vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, and unusual drooling. Hemorrhagic diarrhea is one of the symptoms of parvovirus, which can also cause vomiting.

Unusually drooling and weakness could indicate exposure to a toxic substance, and loss of appetite is associated with many different underlying serious health issues. If you see these symptoms alone or in combination, it warrants a visit to the animal hospital.

What Can You Do to Soothe Your Dog’s Digestive Tract?

If you determine that your dog’s diarrhea is mild or due to something that is easily treated, make sure you don’t make it worse by giving him food that will upset his digestive tract. It’s best to give him a bland diet, like lamb and white rice, that his system can easily digest.

You might also want to include probiotics, such as might be found in Greek yogurt, to help reestablish normal flora in the gut. This is particularly true if the cause of the diarrhea was a course of antibiotics.

Antibiotics can also wipe out the normal bacteria in your dog’s intestinal tract. Even though they are necessary to treat bacterial infections, they don’t discriminate, so you’ll need to help him get his gastrointestinal system back to normal.

Final Thoughts

Doggy diarrhea can quickly get the whole family down in the dumps (I couldn’t resist). More than that, it can become a big problem, fast. It might just be a temporary situation that passes quickly, but if not, it’s time for a trip to the vet.

Recurring bouts of diarrhea, bloody stools, diarrhea following ingestion of toxins, and diarrhea that is accompanied by other symptoms are all signs that it’s an emergency. As a loving pet parent, you don’t want to wait until it becomes a life-threatening situation.

— Update: 20-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Diarrhea is the 2nd Most Common Dog ER Visit – What You Should Know from the website www.petplace.com for the keyword when is dog diarrhea an emergency.

Dog Emergency Room Visits – What You Should Know

Even though most dog owners think it won’t happen to them, emergencies commonly occur. Many dog lovers guess that the most common emergencies are exciting and acutely life-threatening problems such as trauma from being hit by a car, gun shot wound, bite wounds, drowning, and other urgent problems. But those things aren’t the most common reasons dogs go to the emergency room.

Read more  Pool of Stool: When Is Dog Diarrhea an Emergency?

Two Most Common Reasons Dogs Go to the Emergency Room

Here are the most common reasons dogs go to the emergency room. 1. The most common reason veterinarians see dogs in the emergency room is due to vomiting. 2.  The second most common emergency is diarrhea.

Because diarrhea is so common, it is likely that it will affect your dog at one time or another. Here are some tips on how to plan for, prepare, deal with and prevent this problem in your dog.

Dog Diarrhea Emergency – What You Should Do

1. Make sure you know where your local emergency room is or how your vet deals with emergency. Keep this information (phone number, hours, address and directions) handy.

2. Make sure you know your dog’s medical history and any medications he is on. They will specifically want to know if your dog is on heartworm prevention and if so what kind. Many brands of heartworm prevention medications also treat gastrointestinal parasites. The emergency veterinarian will want to know when it started, how many times your dog had diarrhea, what the diarrhea looked like, the last time your dog had diarrhea, and if there are any accompanying symptoms such as lethargy, weakness or vomiting. Observe your dog. If possible, take a sample of the most recent diarrhea with you.

3. What are you feeding your dog? Have you changed food? Added new treats? Has your dog gotten into the trash? These are questions your veterinarian may ask. Diet changes, new foods and exposure to trash can all cause diarrhea in some dogs.

4. Here are some tips to deal with the diarrhea at home. When an owner calls some veterinary clinics – they may hear some advice (depending on the clinic). If the dog is acting sick or the owner is concerned, the recommendation is always to bring the dog in for evaluation. However, if the condition does not sound life threatening sometimes a bland diet may be recommended for your dog.

A bland diet can be made form a boiled lean meat (chicken, hamburger or turkey) mixed 50/50 with boiled white rice. Do not use any additives such as butter, salt, garlic, or seasoning. Over a couple days, you can slowly decrease the bland diet and increase is regular food until he is back on his normal food.

5. Know when to see the vet. If your dog that has diarrhea acts lethargic, weak, the diarrhea has blood or vomiting begins, the recommendation is to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian.

6. Prevent exposure of your pet to trash, table scraps and other foreign objects that he may be inclined to chew on. Make any food changes gradually and over a several day period. Buy only safe toys and ensure your dog does not chew on any objects around that house which he could swallow and be unable to digest or pass through his system.

Owners feeding table scraps and dogs having access to trash cause many emergencies. Don’t give your pet any table scraps and pay special care to toys that you give him to ensure they are safe and not accidentally ingested.

— Update: 22-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Is bloody diarrhea in dogs an emergency? from the website www.aceanimal.com for the keyword when is dog diarrhea an emergency.

When your dog isn’t feeling well, it can be a source of worry – and it can be even more alarming when your dog has blood in their stool. Today, our Fremont vets explain some common causes of diarrhea, what to do if your dog’s stool is bloody, and when it’s time to take your dog to the emergency vet.

Diarrhea in dogs

At Ace Animal Hospital, our vets have treated their fair share of Fremont dogs suffering from diarrhea.

Diarrhea in dogs is very common and can be caused by mild intestinal distress. Often, your dog’s gastrointestinal issues are directly related to food: whether it be caused by your dog reacting poorly to eating a small amount of something that makes them ill, such as table scraps, or from switching to a new brand of dog food that isn’t agreeing with them.

That said, there are also a number of more serious reasons why your dog could have diarrhea, some of which will require veterinary attention immediately.

Common causes of diarrhea in dogs

There are some likely culprits that can cause diarrhea in dogs:

• Stress/anxiety
• Changing food or treats
• Consuming garbage or spoiled food
• Ingesting of foreign objects (e.g. toys, bones, fabric)
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Viral infections like parvovirus, distemper or coronavirus
• Parasites (e.g. roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia)
• Bacterial infections (e.g. salmonella)
• Pancreatitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer
• Medications (e.g. antibiotics)

Because there is such a wide variety of potential causes of diarrhea in dogs, it can be difficult to know when your dog’s symptoms are reasons to contact your vet. Below, we offer some tips to help you decide when a case of diarrhea is worth a visit to the doctor.

Bloody diarrhea in dogs

If your dog is experiencing bloody diarrhea, the first and most straightforward thing to do is to contact your vet.  There are two types of bloody stool to look out for when your dog is experiencing diarrhea:

Hematochezia is caused by bleeding in the lower digestive tract or colon.  It is bright red in color and could indicate certain potential medical complications.

Melena is blood that has been digested or swallowed.  It is dark, sticky, and almost jelly-like in consistency and it serves as an indication that there may be a serious problem with your dog’s upper digestive tract.

A singular streak of blood is often no cause for concern. If, however, the bleeding is consistently present or appears in larger amounts, that is a clear sign of a potentially serious problem, such as a viral or bacterial infection, parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and even cancer.

If you find blood in your dog’s stool, in any amount, it is always best to contact your vet. Giving detailed information about your observations allows your vet to give you thorough instructions on what to look out for, and if your dog’s symptoms require a visit to the vet.

Other causes of diarrhea in dogs

If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normal, it is likely not a cause for concern. Keep track of your pet’s bowel movements to see if things clear up. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it’s a good idea to call your vet if your dog has two or more episodes of diarrhea.

If your dog is struggling to pass a stool but only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away.

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time are a cause for concern as it could be a sign of a serious health issue. This is particularly true if your dog is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your dog is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.

Read more  Can Dogs Eat Eggs? Are Eggs Safe For Dogs?

Dogs showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea should also be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet right away to make an appointment:

• Blood in stool
• Unusual drooling
• Vomiting
• Lack of Appetite
• Weakness
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

If your dog is displaying any symptoms that cause you concern, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet’s symptoms indicate that an examination is necessary.

Treating diarrhea in dogs

Never give your dog human medications without first consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that ease human symptoms can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you may want to allow your dog time to recover by making them fast for 12 – 24 hours.

A bland diet for a day or two could also help to resolve your dog’s issue. Plain cooked white rice with a little unseasoned chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling) may help to make your dog’s tummy feel better. Once your dog feels better, gradually reintroduce their regular food.

Some other things that might help to soothe your dog’s upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods, and of course, medications prescribed by your vet.

When it comes to your dog’s health it is usually best to err on the side of caution. By taking your dog in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.

— Update: 22-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Diarrhea in Dogs – When is It an Emergency? from the website www.tkves.com for the keyword when is dog diarrhea an emergency.

The Dog Days of Diarrhea

Us vets at Tulare-Kings Veterinary Emergency Services treat our fair share of Visalia dogs suffering from diarrhea.

This is to be expected, mild bouts of diarrhea are very common in dogs and can be caused by mild intestinal distress. Often times intestinal distress is directly tied to food: whether it be an adverse reaction to your dog eating a small amount of something that doesn’t agree with them, such as table scraps, or from switching to a new brand of dog food that isn’t right for them.

That said, there are also a number of more serious reasons why your dog could have diarrhea, some of which will require veterinary attention immediately.

What are the common causes of Diarrhea in dogs?

Below are some of the most common reasons for diarrhea in dogs:

• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or treats
• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper or coronavirus
• Parasites – roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
• Bacterial infections – such as salmonella
• Pancreatitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer
• Medications such as antibiotics

With such a wide array of potential causes, it can be difficult to know when your dog’s symptoms are reasons to contact your vet, read on for advice to help you decide when a case of diarrhea is worth a visit to the doctor.

What if there is blood in my dog’s diarrhea?

The most straightforward indication that you should consider contacting your vet is when your dog’s diarrhea is bloody. There are two types of bloody stool to look out for when your dog is experiencing diarrhea

Hematochezia results from bleeding in the lower digestive tract or colon. It is bright red in color and indicates certain potential medical complications.

Melena is blood that has been digested or swallowed. This dark, sticky, almost jelly-like blood indicates that a serious problem in your dog’s upper digestive tract might be to blame.

Singular streaks of blood are often a fluke. However, if the bleeding is consistently present or if the bleeding is in larger amounts, that is a clear indicator of a much bigger problem, such as a viral or bacterial infection, parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and even cancer.

If you find blood in your dog’s stool, in any amount, it is always best to contact your vet, describing exactly what you have observed will allow your vet to give you detailed instructions on what you should be watching for, and if it makes sense for your dog to come in for a visit based on their symptoms.

When is diarrhea reason to contact an emergency vet? 

If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normal, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your dog’s bowel movements to see if things clear up. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it’s a good idea to call your vet if your canine companion has two or more bouts of diarrhea.

If your dog is straining to pass a stool but only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away, contact your vet or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital for care.

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if your dog is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your dog is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.

Dogs showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea should also be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet right away to make an appointment:

• Blood in stool
• Unusual drooling
• Vomiting
• Lack of Appetite
• Weakness
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

If your dog is displaying any symptoms that cause you concern, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet’s symptoms indicate that an examination is necessary.

How is Diarrhea in dogs treated?

Never give your dog human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you may want to give your dog some time to recover by simply fasting for 12 – 24 hours.

A bland diet for a day or two may help to resolve your dog’s issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pie filling) may help to make your dog’s tummy feel better. Once your dog feels better gradually reintroduce their regular food.

Other things that might help to soothe your dog’s upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods, and medications prescribed by your vet.

When it comes to your dog’s health it is usually best to err on the side of caution. By taking your dog in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.