Diarrhoea in Dogs, causes, Medication , Prevention and control

DIARRHOEA IN DOGS

Jack: What is Diarrhoea in Dogs?

Vet: Diarrhoea is more frequent, loose watery stools. Usually seen as a symptom of an intestinal

upset. Color change may also be seen and/or a presence of mucus and blood. Diarrhoea can occur in dogs for a variety of reasons affecting any age and can generally be categorized into two forms:

1. Acute Diarrhoea- sudden onset lasting a few weeks.

2. Chronic Diarrhoea – longer than a few weeks.

Symptoms and signs of diarrhoea in cats

• Loose or watery stools

• Increase in frequency toileting

• Weight loss

• Vomiting

• Pale gums

• Weakness

• Anorexia

• Fever

• Dehydration

• Mucus/blood in stools

• Lethargic/Depressed

• Straining to defecate/pass faeces

• Increased drinking

Jack: Why has my Dog got diarrhoea?

Vet: Diarrhoea can often present as a result of a number of underlying causes in dog. Your dog may be a scavenger or a dietary change. Certain health conditions such liver disease, bacterial and viral infections. Frequent watery stools often with a strong smell or colour change may be seen. In a lot of cases diarrhoea will resolve on its own.

Jack: What are the reasons for Diarrhoea?

Vet: Diarrhoea in dogs can be caused by several underlying reasons.

• Diet Change – This could be a sudden change in your dog’s food or introduction of a new food. Diarrhoea can also be a result of an intolerance or allergy.

• Medication – a common side effect that can be seen in dogs on medication is diarrhea contacting your vet in this situation is advisable.

• Parasites – worms such roundworm, hookworms, gardia, coccidia can cause diarrhoea in dogs.

• Bacterial – Including Salmonella and E.Coli cause side effects including diarrhoea.

• Viral Infections – Parvovirus, Distemper, Coronvirus are viral infections in dogs which maycause diarrhoea.

• Systemic Illness – Liver and Kidney disease, Pancreatitis, Diabetes Mellitus may show signs of diarrhoea in dogs.

• Toxins – Chocolate, onions, raisins if ingested can cause diarrhoea in dogs.

• Tumours – diarrhoea can be seen.

Jack: Is there any blood in the diarrhoea this could be bright red or black?

Vet: In dogs with Diarrhoea any blood can be a result of straining while passing soft of water diarrhoea. Small traces or flecks may be seen but more than this or any black or dark blood can be a sign of more serious issues.

Jack; Treatment of Diarrhoea in Dogs?

Vet: Diarrhoea lasting less than 24 hours in a healthy well dog may be monitored initially and by following certain advice.

Contact Your Vet if:

• Blood/Tar like colour evident

• Lethargic, dull, depressed

• Puppy is less than a year old

• Fever

• Signs of pain – unusual posture, vocalisation, hunched.

Vet: Let me tell you some home management of Diarrhoea in Dogs.

Step One – Dietary Rest: Most puppies/dogs with diarrhoea do not require a period of complete dietary rest. In fact, feeding your puppy a bland diet will aid their intestinal recovery. The only time a period of rest from food would be advisable would be if your dog was also vomiting. In this instance a period of rest of 6 hours may be advisable to allow the stomach/intestines to recover. Puppies do not have the bodily reserves of an older dog and when food intake is reduced for a period of time, they can very quickly become hypoglycemic (develop low blood sugar).

This can be a life-threatening condition and the younger or smaller the puppy, the more likely this is to happen and the quicker it can come on. Signs can include listlessness, depression, staggering gait, muscular weakness, and tremors – especially of the face.

It is preferable to feed an easily digested and bland diet. Whilst your puppy/dog has diarrhea. You should always make fresh water available you must not withhold water from your puppy. Withholding water could rapidly lead to dehydration and should be avoided. In the case of the puppy that is vomiting as well, you will need to monitor and control what they drink to prevent the puppy drinking large volumes of water that may lead to prolonged vomiting.

Step Two – High Digestibility Diet Whilst a puppy/dog is suffering from diarrhoea, it is best if normal foods are temporarily replaced with a restricted diet fed in small frequent meals, say 4-6 times daily. Food should be given in small quantities. Remember that a small puppy/dog may only have a stomach the size of a walnut. Many puppy diets are very high in meat protein

(especially the premium brand tinned puppy foods) and can be difficult for a puppy with tummy problems to digest. Therefore, it is best if the puppy’s normal food is temporarily replaced with a

home-cooked bland diet. Examples of a bland diet are: Boiled chicken and rice/pasta. White fish and rice/pasta or scrambled eggs with rice/pasta. After 2 to 3 days, as long as the diarrhoea is starting to clear up, the puppy’s normal food can be carefully re-introduced, by gradually weaning the puppy back over a period of 3 to 5 days.

Treatment of Dogs with Diarrhoea

• Dietary – avoid any sudden changes and treats to your dog’s diet, where allergies are suspected

your vets can suggest options such as a hypoallergenic diet or options to help support your dog.

• Parasites (Intestinal) – worming/anti-parasitic treatment may be needed to remove the cause

and supportive care if your dog.

• Bacterial/Viral Infections – Diagnosing to confirm the infection by your Vet along with

supportive care, intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

• Obstruction (Intestinal) – this may be in the form of a foreign body or damage to the intestines

from trauma your vet will assist with surgery/treatment to remove or pass the blockage.

• Toxins/Poisons – Onions, chocolate, raisins for example a quick diagnosis is often needed and supportive care, inducing vomiting where appropriate

• Cancer – surgery, chemotherapy

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) – supportive, highly digestible diet.

• IBD (Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease) – highly digestible diet, medication to support the IBD.

Prevention of Diarrhoea in Dogs

·       To help avoid the risk of diarrhoea or soft stools in dogs, try to make any diet changes gradually.

·       Mix the new food in with your dog’s old food to help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset.

·       Avoid keeping anything toxic such as chocolate around your dog when unsupervised.

Frequently asked questions about diarrhoea in Dogs

Jack: My dogs got soft stools, runny poo?

Vet: If this is a sudden onset of diarrhoea and your dog is eating, drinking and well. It may be an option to try introducing a bland diet and following the home care advice.

Jack: What causes dogs to have diarrhoea?

Vet: Diarrhoea in dogs can result from a number of causes such as diet change, scavenging an underlying health issue.

Jack: What to feed dogs with diarrhoea?

Vet: A bland diet of chicken and pasta or white fish and rice should be fed.

Jack: My puppy has ongoing diarrhoea?

Vet: A puppy with diarrhoea maybe at risk of dehydration contact your vet.