It's no wonder, as dog handlers, that we someday find ourselves with diarrhoea. In this article on our site we will explain what are the types of diarrhea in dogs that we will be able to identify more frequently. We must observe how the diarrhea is and how it occurs to inform our veterinarian, if this is the case, as these data can help you reach a diagnosis. Diarrhea, in principle, is a mild disorder, but we will see cases in which the picture could be complicated.
What is diarrhea in dogs?
Diarrhea is a relatively common disorder in dogs. It consists of the elimination of unformed and liquid faecesA punctual deposition with these characteristics is not worrying, but if the dog defecates repeatedly or the excrement from him always are diarrheal, it is important that we look for the cause. The two most common will be intestinal parasites and changes in diet or the intake of inappropriate substances. Behind acute diarrhea, infectious diseases are often found. Also, some drugs can have diarrhea among their side effects.
Although diarrhea could be a minor occasional disorder, if it worsens, does not subside or we notice other symptoms, we should contact the veterinarian. In addition, it is convenient that we consult whenever diarrhea occurs in older, sick dogs or puppies. These animals are more vulnerable and could quickly become dehydrated if they lose too much fluid.
Depending on its duration, we can speak of acute diarrhea or chronic diarrhea in dogs. The first appears suddenly and soon disappears. In contrast, chronic diarrhea may occur more gradually and last more than three weeks, and may follow an episodic pattern. Next, we will see different types of diarrhea in dogs. Keep in mind that the coloration can be related to the food that we are giving the dog, without further repercussions.
Yellow diarrhea in dogs
We begin with a review of the types of diarrhea in dogs with the one that manifests itself as a yellow coloration of the stool. Sometimes, this color is only due to the dog's diet, without indicating, therefore, any specific pathology.
On the other hand, yellow diarrhea in dogs can also be due to the presence of bile, which is a secretion produced by the gallbladder biliary and that, among its functions, is to help digestion. Bile can also be located in an empty stomach, something that is easy to happen when the dog has gastrointestinal disorders manifested in vomiting and intense diarrhea.
The liver problems have among their symptoms the yellowish coloration, which we will easily observe in the mucous membranes, in the gums, the eyes or the skin. Symptoms of hepatic impairment begin as nonspecific and include those involving the digestive system, with vomiting and diarrhoea. As the disease progresses, we can find characteristic signs such as hemorrhages, ascites, edema, encephalopathies, in addition to jaundice, which is a yellowish color.
orange diarrhea in dogs may be caused by hemolysis, a process that occurs when there is an intense destruction of red blood cells. In babesia this hemolytic anemia is common. If we suspect any systemic disease we should go to the vet immediately.
As you can see, whether your dog has yellow or orange diarrhea, you need to visit the vet because there are several possible causes.
Green diarrhea in dogs
Among the types of diarrhea in dogs, we can also see, on some occasions, a greenish hue. Sometimes it is due to a heavy intake of grass It is not uncommon for dogs to eat grass, although it is not clear why. In these cases, it is likely that, among the eliminated liquid, the grass can be perfectly appreciated, since the dog does not digest it. You would have to look at the dog's behavior to find the cause.
Bloody diarrhea in dogs
In this section we can differentiate between two situations, depending on whether the blood is fresh (hematochezia) or digested (melena). In any case, a black, tarry or red diarrhea in dogs is usually a symptom of internal bleeding When the blood is fresh we will see red blood and/or clots. In contrast, with digested blood, the stools will be dark.
A very common cause of this bleeding is the presence of an ulcer, that is, an injury to the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Although there are several causes of ulceration, a very common one is long-term treatment with anti-inflammatories, since ulcers are a side effect of these medications. It is therefore common, especially in older dogs with osteoarthritis problems that consume this type of drug.
Another well-known cause of blood in dog feces is parvovirus, a viral disease that should be treated by a veterinarian. It affects puppies, especially those that have not been vaccinated, since vaccination, which can start around 6-8 weeks of life, confers very good protection. Sick dogs exhibit severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, leading to dehydration that can be fatal.
In addition, poisoning with anticoagulant products also causes bleeding, as well as diseases such as hemophilia or any other that makes it difficult for blood to coagulate or decrease the number of platelets. Among the types of diarrhea in dogs, this is one of the most worrying, since intense internal bleeding can lead the dog to shock and death. In any case, a clot or a small amount of blood may be due to a broken capillary in the area, damage caused by intestinal parasites, etc. It is when we are faced with severe diarrhea in dogs, accompanied by blood, when we must immediately go to the specialist.
White diarrhea in dogs
At this point we must differentiate whether the white color is due to foreign bodies contained in the stool, such as bones or worms. The latter can look like grains of rice or like spaghetti. The suspicion of parasites is reason for a veterinary consultation, since this professional will be the one who prescribes the most appropriate treatment. The fact that we do not observe parasites does not rule out that the dog has them, since some will not be visible and can cause recurrent diarrhea.
White diarrhea in dogs can also be due to intake of unsuitable products This happens in dogs with pica syndrome, able to eat plaster, stones, etc. If it is a behavioral problem, we should contact a canine behavior specialist or ethologist to solve it. In addition, a type of diarrhea in dogs with a grayish hue may be indicating an absorption problem or indigestion.
Diarrhea with mucus in dogs
This type of diarrhea in dogs has a gelatinous appearance. For example, in infestations of parasites such as coccidia we can appreciate this mucus. As they are non-visible parasites for which they are not dewormed periodically, our dog may be infested without our knowing it, with this type of diarrhea, which may be chronic, being the only symptom.
Treatment of diarrhea in dogs
If the dog is not in a risk group, there are no other symptoms and it has not become dehydrated, we can try to solve the diarrhea at home, as long as the episode does not last more than 24 hours. To do this, we will keep water available but we will remove the food Of course, among the types of diarrhea in dogs that we have reviewed, if we detect that the animal has eliminated blood, we must contact the veterinarian. In addition, if we find parasites in the stool, it is important that we go to the clinic because they will have to be identified and the corresponding antiparasitic administered. Any strange coloration is cause for consultation.
After the episode of diarrhea we can reintroduce the diet using a easy-to-digest, low-fat dietFor example, we can give you chicken without skin or minced meat cooked with rice, also cooked, and without s alt. We must offer the ration in small doses several times a day. Little by little we will change to your usual diet. For more details, don't miss this article: "What to do if your dog has diarrhea?".
Can dog diarrhea be treated with fortasec?
Once we have examined the types of diarrhea in dogs, we can think that for milder cases there will be no problem because we use products such as fortasec. But we would make a mistake. We should never give a dog anything if it has not been prescribed by a veterinarian. In addition, in this case, the only thing we would achieve would be to stop the diarrhea, but not identify its cause, which is what will actually help us keep our dog he althy.
Diarrhea in older dogs
Finally, the types of diarrhea in dogs that we have detailed are the same ones that older dogs can suffer from. If we highlight them in this section, it is because it is more common for them to present a a diarrhea with blood derived from ulcers produced by the prolonged use of anti-inflammatories. We must also take into account in these animals that they are more prone to dehydration. This implies that severe diarrhea will always require veterinary treatment to prevent the clinical picture from worsening.
Diarrhea in puppies
As it happens with the previous group, puppies are extremely susceptible and, therefore, the presence of diarrhea should be a reason for veterinary consultation. If your puppy has diarrhea it may be due to the development of a serious disease, such as parvovirus, which will be accompanied by blood, due to an infestation ofparasites or for something as simple as feeding change However, to be completely sure, it is advisable to visit a specialist.
