Diarrhea in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment

Every dog owner wants their pet to enjoy good health. Sometimes, however, reality is different… How can you tell when diarrhea requires a consultation with a veterinarian? What should you give for diarrhea? What are the causes of loose stools in dogs? In this article, we will discuss these issues so that the owner can react calmly during a crisis.
Enjoy reading!

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea in dogs is defined as:

• Increased frequency of defecation.
• Increased stool volume.
• A change in stool consistency.

To diagnose diarrhea, you first need to know what is normal for your pet. This depends on the size of the animal, its diet, hydration status, and many other factors. The owner therefore has the unpleasant task of taking a look at what comes out the back door… This does not mean panicking if the dog defecates three times one day instead of two, but the animal should be observed and one should consider whether, for example, something has changed in its diet or whether it has been exposed to stress.

Warning! Changes in stool consistency to semi-liquid or watery, changes in color, the presence of blood, mucus, or a foul odor are indications to schedule a visit to the veterinarian!

Acute and chronic diarrhea

These two terms may be heard at a veterinary clinic or found in various articles about diarrhea. The simplest distinction concerns the duration of loose stools in dogs. According to textbooks, acute diarrhea lasts up to two weeks, while anything longer is considered chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea usually has a more severe course and is caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. Chronic diarrhea may appear somewhat less alarming. The stool will be more formed and possibly passed less frequently. This type of diarrhea is usually associated with food intolerances.

The most common causes of diarrhea in dogs

We know that diarrhea can accompany both mild and severe disorders. However, I would like to reassure owners— in clinical practice, the vast majority of cases involve conditions that are easy to diagnose and treat.

We have mentioned several possibilities, but let us now gather all options into a clear list:

• Food intolerance or allergy – a responsible owner knows what their pet is being fed. Knowledge of the ingredients of the food and treats given is crucial, because dogs, just like humans, can react to many substances. In addition, giving “human” food such as table scraps, sausages, pâtés, and ham poses a risk to the animal.
• Parasitic diseases – dogs can acquire such “stowaways” if they eat grass, the feces of other animals, or even carcasses. Some of these parasites can be dangerous to humans, which is why regular stool examinations of pets are recommended, even if the dog does not have diarrhea.
• Bacterial and viral infections – these may occur secondarily, for example after antibiotic therapy, which can very quickly disrupt the natural balance of the intestinal microbiome. They may also result from pathogens entering the gastrointestinal tract with food or water. Diarrhea in puppies may be associated with parvovirus or distemper. More well-known bacterial causes of diarrhea in dogs include Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium.
• Poisoning – can cause both diarrhea and vomiting (you can read about vomiting in dogs in a separate post: Vomiting in Dogs – What to Do?). Poisoning may be caused by medications, toxic plants, foods intolerable to dogs, various poisons (rat poison, slug bait), and other chemical substances.
• Stress-related diarrhea – yes! In dogs, we can also observe loose stools and abdominal pain caused by stress.
• Organ diseases – in which diarrhea is a “side effect”; these include diseases of the liver, pancreas, thyroid gland, and various types of cancer.

Home support methods for diarrhea in dogs

Before visiting the veterinarian, we can try to relieve our pet on our own. Of course, in cases of severe pain, apathy, or the presence of blood, the visit should not be postponed. However, if the animal has mild diarrhea, many natural substances can be helpful.

In this section, we will also discuss issues often overlooked by veterinarians or caretakers, such as relieving pain and muscle tension in the gastrointestinal tract.
During diarrhea, the animal loses water along with electrolytes, may have a bloated and tender abdomen, or experience spasms of the smooth muscles that make up the intestines. Treatment of diarrhea therefore focuses on these elements.

Here are the best methods:

• Fasting – the simplest method to calm the gastrointestinal tract. A 24-hour break from feeding is recommended. This applies to everything—treats, chews, and food. After fasting, a small amount of the basic diet should be introduced and the pet’s reaction observed.
• Stool thickening and toxin binding – for this purpose, pastes containing substances capable of absorbing excess water in the gastrointestinal tract and binding toxins can be used. DiarControl works well here, as its pectin and bentonite content helps thicken the stool. The tannins contained in the product may alleviate diarrhea by reacting with mucosal proteins, which reduces inflammation and limits fluid secretion, and may also reduce intestinal mucosal permeability. The product also contains activated charcoal, which binds toxins present in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Hydration – the dog should have access to fresh, clean water. If the diarrhea was intense and watery, over-the-counter electrolytes may be given. However, the animal may refuse them due to taste, which is why products designed specifically for dogs, in paste or gel form, are a better solution. One such product is the previously mentioned DiarControl, which contains sodium chloride and potassium chloride, i.e. electrolytes.
• Relief of abdominal pain and relaxation of smooth muscles – for this purpose, it is worth reaching for GastroControl, a product that should be in every dog’s first-aid kit. Thanks to its marshmallow content, the product forms a protective layer on the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, alleviating unpleasant symptoms after poisoning. The presence of lemon balm and chamomile helps calm intestinal peristalsis and positively affects digestive processes.
• Support for intestinal microflora regeneration – all kinds of probiotic substances (bacteria ready to colonize the intestines) and prebiotics (used by the intestinal microflora) will be effective. The product ImmuneControl can be used, as it contains not only probiotic bacteria, but also butyric acid, fructooligosaccharides, mannooligosaccharides, zinc, and pectins. All of these substances support intestinal regeneration (epithelium and intestinal villi) and promote the growth of healthy intestinal microflora.

That’s all for today. This dose of knowledge should reassure any owner whose dog has diarrhea. Let’s be honest—gastrointestinal upset in dogs can worry any caretaker, but thanks to today’s article, we have learned that there are effective actions that can relieve our beloved pet, including products from the Petipharm animal supplement manufacturer.