DoggedHealth

Diarrhea – loose, unformed stool –can be caused by no more than a minor gastrointestinal upset or be a symptom of a more serious problem requiring immediate care. Two of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are intestinal parasites such as giardiasis and roundworm and dietary causes such as switching food too quickly or eating spoiled food.

Diarrhea is categorized based on the location of the problem causing the diarrrhea. Diarrhea is considered large bowel when the problem causing the diarrhea occurs in the colon or large intestine. Diarrhea is considered small bowel when the problem is located in the small intestines.

Symptoms of large bowel diarrhea are feces with mucous and red blood. Your dog may strain to defecate, and the amount of feces produced may or may not be larger than normal. Symptoms of small bowel diarrhea include increased feces volume and changes in feces color. Weight loss may occur if the diarrhea is chronic. In general, there will be no mucous in the feces, and your dog will not usually strain to defecate. 

If your dog has diarrhea that contains a lot of blood or mucous, if her stomach seems bloated or if she seems upset, lethargic, weak, in pain or if her gums are pale or a strange color, she needs to go to the veterinarian immediately. If your dog has diarrhea, but seems otherwise normal, you can try a homecare remedy to see if the diarrhea resolves itself. To treat diarrhea at home, first do not give your dog any food at all for about twelve hours, but allow her all the fresh water she wants to drink. It is important that your dog drink because diarrhea can lead to dehydration. After 12 hours, you can begin feeding her a small portion of three parts plain boiled white rice and one part plain white meat boiled chicken breast. Feed her this plain diet in small quantities four times a day until her diarrhea resolves. If her diarrhea does not disappear after a day or two on this diet, take her to the veterinarian.