by Diane on December 8, 2010
If you’ve got a dog, then chances are, he or she has had diarrhea at some point. Not only is dog diarrhea an inconvenient mess, it is an indicator that something could be seriously wrong with your pet’s health.
Remember: diarrhea that worsens, becomes more frequent, lasts longer than 24 hours, or is accompanied by a fever or lethargic behavior is an indicator that your dog needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. Do not wait to call the vet – it is much better to call and find out that your dog will be fine, than to wait and discover that you let the symptoms go untreated for too long.
Dog Diarrhea
Here are some common types of dog diarrhea, and some of the things that might be causing your puppy or dog to be suffering from diarrhea symptoms.
Yellowish or Greenish Color – This type of dog diarrhea is often very foul smelling, and can have a liquid consistency. It is often an indicator that something your dog has eaten has traveled rapidly through his system, and that the body is trying to eliminate it quickly. If your dog has a habit of eating garbage or has found something disgusting to chew on, like a dead animal, this could be what is causing diarrhea.
Yellowish With Mucous and Blood Streaks – Any time you see blood in your dog’s stools, you should be alarmed. This type of diarrhea can indicate a bacterial infection like Coccidia or Giardia. If it worsens quickly and is accompanied by vomiting, it could be Parvo. Get your dog to the vet right away to give him the best chance at survival.
Bloody, Foul Smelling Diarrhea – Very bloody dog diarrhea is usually an indicator of Parvovirus. By the time most dogs get to this stage they have less than twenty-four hours to live, unless emergency treatment is given immediately. Dogs with Parvo are lethargic, and are unable to keep anything down without vomiting. Bundle your dog up, and get him or her to the vet right away.
Black Tarry Diarrhea – Diarrhea that looks black or tarry probably contains digested blood from the dogs’ own digestive tract. This could be an indicator of a serious illness, and your vet will probably need to run a blood panel to determine what is wrong with your pet.
Foamy Diarrhea – Very light, foamy dog diarrhea can be an indicator of a bacterial infection, especially if it is yellowish or greenish in color. If your dog has no appetite, is vomiting or appears to be lethargic, and has watery or foamy stools, he or she could have an internal obstruction. Veterinarians remove things like chunks of rawhide chew, shreds of fabric, pieces of plastic from garbage or a toy that the dog has destroyed, and even objects like coins from dogs’ intestines every day. Many dogs, especially puppies, will ingest just about anything – so don’t be surprised if your vet wants to take x-rays to see whether there is an obstruction in cases like this.
Pale, Grey Colored Diarrhea – If your dog has very pale colored diarrhea on a regular basis, this could indicate that he or she has an internal illness. Pale dog diarrhea is often seen in dogs who are suffering from liver disease. The vet will probably conduct a blood panel to see what is causing the diarrhea, and will then prescribe a course of treatment.
Remember, parasites and bacteria can often be transmitted to humans and other pets via contact with contaminated surfaces. Talk to your vet about how to sanitize your pet’s area, and be sure to get rid of anything that has come into contact with diarrhea.
by Diane on November 3, 2010
If your canine companion is suffering from dog diarrhea, it is important that you determine the cause immediately. Quite often, the cause is something the dog has eaten – but in some cases, dog diarrhea is a symptom of an underlying illness. Some illnesses that include diarrhea symptoms can be deadly.
Dog Diarrhea Pain
Diarrhea that is left untreated can be taxing on the body – even worse, it can lead to your pet’s death. Be sure to call your vet if diarrhea is severe or ongoing. Here is a guide to some of the most common causes of dog diarrhea.
Parvo – Are your dog’s vaccines up to date? Parvo is not normally a problem in adult dogs who have current vaccinations. It is most common in unvaccinated puppies or puppies who have not finished their vaccine series. The dehydration that comes from the severe vomiting and diarrhea that the virus causes can kill a puppy in just a few hours. Many pups die within just two days of the first signs of the virus – just one more reason to get to the vet quickly.
Diarrhea associated with Parvo is often tinged with blood. This is because the Canine Parvovirus attacks the inner lining of the intestines and causes them to degrade quickly. The more advanced the Parvo, the bloodier the diarrhea. Normally, diarrhea caused by Parvo begins as loose stools. It advances quickly, and is often accompanied by foul smelling vomit as well. There is no way to confirm a Parvo diagnosis at home. Your dog will need to be tested, and will need to undergo intensive, aggressive treatment right away if he or she is to survive.
Dietary Indiscretion – Many dogs will eat just about anything. If your dog has a bad habit of getting into the wastebasket, and recently ate something he shouldn’t have, then it is very likely that the diarrhea he is suffering from has been caused by his indiscriminate eating. Be sure that you keep him well hydrated, and if the diarrhea does not go away within twenty-four hours, contact your vet.
Dog with Diarrhea
Internal Parasites – Keep your pet on a regular parasite control regimen to prevent the persistent dog diarrhea that is caused by severe intestinal parasites. Although you may see worms in your dog’s stool when this type of diarrhea is present, they will not always be there. Take a stool sample to the vet so it can be tested. Your vet can determine the best course of treatment and will recommend the right combination of medications to rid the body of the parasites most quickly and completely. Do not rely on over the counter worming medications – they are often not effective against severe, existing parasitic infections.
Bacterial Infections – Bacteria like Coccidia and Giardia can cause dog diarrhea, and these bacteria can affect humans as well. Diarrhea associated with bacterial infections may be yellowish, and it is often streaked with mucous or blood. Although it is wise to handle any diarrhea cautiously, it is very important to avoid skin contact with this particular type since the bacteria can give you the same symptoms as your dog. Your vet can confirm a diagnosis and provide treatment – be sure to have this type of dog diarrhea taken care of immediately, since it can weaken your pet and even causes death in severe cases.
Viruses, parasites, and bacteria can live on soil and other surfaces for months and even years in some cases. Be sure to dispose of any materials that have come in contact with dog diarrhea, and talk to your vet about the best way to disinfect any areas where your dog has been. Knocking out viruses, parasites and bacteria can be time consuming – but in the end, your healthy pet will thank you.
