Diarrhea – loose, unformed stool – can be caused by no more than a small gastrointestinal upset or a bout nerves or it can be a symptom of a more serious problem requiring immediate care such as parvovirus or a twisting or collapse of the bowel area. Chronic diarrhea can also indicate an underlying disease such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis and certain tumors including lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. However, 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 diarrhea. Diarrhea is considered large bowel when the problem causing the diarrhea occurs in the colon or large intestine. Symptoms of large bowel diarrhea are feces with mucous (sometimes the feces will look like jelly) and red blood. Your dog may strain to defecate, and the amount of feces produced may or may not be larger than normal. Some causes of large bowel diarrhea are gastrointestinal parasites (giardiasis or roundworm for example), inflammatory bowel disease, tumors, large bowel bacterial overload, dietary changes or indiscretions, medications and stress. Diarrhea is considered small bowel when the problem is located in the small intestines. Symptoms of small bowel diarrhea include increased feces volume and changes in feces color. In general, there will be no mucous in the feces, and your dog will not usually strain to defecate. Some causes of small bowel diarrhea are small bowel bacterial overload, inflammatory bowel disease, other malabsorption diseases, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, food allergies, tumors and gastrointestinal parasites.

If your dog has diarrhea that contains a lot of blood or mucous, if his stomach seems bloated, if his gums are pale or a strange color, or if he seems upset, lethargic, weak, or in pain he needs to go to the veterinarian immediately. Repeated diarrhea in puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with any pre-existing health condition also requires veterinary assistance.

If your young or middle-aged generally healthy dog has diarrhea, but seems otherwise normal, you can try a homecare remedy to see if the diarrhea resolves itself. You should of course put a phone call into your vet to make sure this is appropriate for your dog before starting on the homecare remedy. To treat diarrhea at home, first do not give your dog any food at all for about twelve hours, but allow him all the fresh water he wants to drink. It is important that your dog drink because diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Upon consultation with your vet you may also mix your dog’s water with an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte® – generally one gives ½ water and ½ electrolyte solution. After 12 hours, you can begin feeding your dog a small portion of 3 parts plain boiled white rice and 1 part plain white meat boiled chicken breast. Feed him this bland diet in small quantities four times a day until his diarrhea resolves. Your vet may also allow you to give your dog a small amount of Pepto-Bismol® or Kaopectate®. However, it is essential that you adhere to your vet’s recommendation regarding the safety and the dosage of these medications because they contain subsalicylates which can be harmful in dogs in elevated doses. If your dog’s diarrhea does not disappear after a day or two on a bland diet, take him to a veterinary specialist.

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