This can be a traumatic experience for your dog and you but it is quite common in dogs and puppies, Lets look at the causes and how we can make this better.
Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhoea ?
This is a common problem in dogs and puppies and is when the stool is very soft and liquid in consistency. Because dogs do everything with their mouths if they have eaten something they shouldn't have or had a sudden change in diet then this could trigger it.
This can also be caused by swallowing a foreign body, Poisonous substance or the Parvo Virus. If your dog has runny poop for more than 4 days then consult a vet asap.
My Dog Has The Runs, What Do I do ?
If your dog has the runs and they are also severely vomiting, Have a loss of appetite and are very lethargic then you need to consult a VET immediately.
If your dog is NOT VOMITING then remove all food and limit them to water for 12 hours. This will keep them hydrated so make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water. After 12 hours start to introduce small amounts of food that is not too heavy so stick to bland basic types of food. Cooked chicken or fish with white rice would be ideal in small portions. Once the stools start to harden you can introduce them back to their normal diet gradually.
7 Simple Steps To Avoid Diarrhoea
Keep up to date with worming and vaccinations
Avoid sudden changes in diet
Try and avoid dog bones
Avoid giving your dog small objects to play with
Do not feed your dog leftovers
Try and prevent your dog from scavenging on walks
Give your dog food that is a high quality and has been treated for bacteria etc
Colour Of The Diarrhoea: What To Look For
You need to pay really close attention to the colour as this is very important. If the colour is chocolatey brown and shaped like a log then this is fine. If the stool is black and tarry then this could be a sign of internal bleeding. You need to keep an eye out for stool that is red or has red streaks. Green stools can indicate gall bladder issues, Orange stools could be liver problems and grey stools and greasy stools could be pancreas issues.
Colitis In Dogs And What Causes It
Statistically around a third of dogs that suffer from chronic diarrhoea have colitis. Colitis is the inflammation of the large intestine or colon and maybe the reason why your dog keeps getting diarrhoea. Stools are normally stored in the colon before they are released. The colon also helps to keep a good balance of fluids and electrolytes so it will become inflamed when there is an imbalance. This will cause your dog to have powerful contractions resulting in them going to the toilet often and having small amounts of diarrhoea with the possibility of mucus or blood.
Causes can include infections, Trauma, Stress, Bowel disease or genetic disposition but there isn't really a fixed cause. You should consult your VET if they show any of these signs and they can carry out tests to check for colitis. A simple cure could be to just increase the intake of fibre in your dogs diet.
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