Diarrhea in puppies is a he alth problem that is often of great concern to guardians. At this particularly sensitive stage, we must be very attentive to any signs, since puppies are especially vulnerable because their immune system is still developing and, in addition, they are more easily dehydratedThis implies that, in the event of any symptoms, we must go to the vet to prevent their condition from deteriorating rapidly.
In this article on our site we will talk in detail about diarrhea in puppies, its causes and treatment, a relatively frequent problem with the that dog handlers can be found.
Types of diarrhea in puppies
Specifically, diarrhea refers to the passing of liquid stool numerous times a day. The appearance of this diarrhea can vary, which will give the veterinarian information about its origin, which can be in the small or large intestine. In addition, diarrhea may occur acutely or chronically.
Thus, if our puppy has yellow or greenish diarrhea it indicates rapid intestinal transit. If it is black there will be some digestive bleeding. A profuse gray diarrhea may be due to malabsorption. In addition, we must look at the number of stools and the general condition of the animal.
Why does my puppy have diarrhea?
There are multiple causes of diarrhea in puppies among which we can highlight the following:
- Diarrhea in puppies due to change of food: It is very common that when a puppy arrives at a new home, during the first days it is broken down because he gets a new feed. It is normal and can be avoided if we make a gradual change, mixing the new food with the old for about a week. Diarrhea can also occur if the dog eats an indigestible substance and even if an intestinal obstruction occurs.
- Diarrhea in puppies due to parasites: If puppies are not dewormed, it is common for them to be infested with intestinal worms. To avoid this, it is essential to establish a deworming schedule from fifteen days of life.
- Diarrhea in puppies due to infections: as we will see, bacteria and viruses can affect the stomach, even producing serious diseases such as the dreaded parvovirus. They will require veterinary treatment.
- Diarrhea in puppies after vaccination or, in general, after a visit to the vet: a dog going through a stressful situation it can also manifest it with decomposition. This will fix itself in no time. It's an emotional diarrhoea.
Puppy with diarrhea and vomiting
It is very common for diarrhea in puppies to be accompanied by vomiting, as these are another of the usual symptoms when there is a digestive disorder. It indicates an enteritis in dogs, that is, an intestinal inflammation.
In these cases, unless it is a minor problem that resolves spontaneously, we run the risk that the puppy becomes dehydrated This happens when the elimination of fluids from the body occurs faster than its replacement. There are various degrees of dehydration and the most serious ones are incompatible with life. For this reason it is important to go to the vet if we see that the symptoms do not subside or worsen.
In infectious enteritis the symptoms, in addition to diarrhea and vomiting, include fever, apathy and depressionDehydration is very rapid and can having blood in stool and vomit, as we will discuss in the next section. An intoxication could also trigger a similar picture. Of course, veterinary assistance is required.
Puppy with diarrhea and blood
If our dog has bloody diarrhea and it is a puppy, the first thing we should think about is a viral disease: parvovirus. This virus mainly affects the cells of the digestive system and causes vomiting and bloody diarrhea, fever in some cases, anorexia and dehydration.
Although the clinical presentation may be more or less severe, intensive veterinary treatment is usually required. Being a virus we can only administer fluid therapy and medication against symptoms. It is a disease with high mortality, which is why vaccination is especially important, which should start at 6-8 weeks of life.
Diarrhea in nursing puppies
If we observe diarrhea in newborn puppies we must bear in mind that it is normal for them to have frequent bowel movements, generally after each feeding. But the stool, yellow to light brown in color, is consistent. The appearance of diarrhea can indicate a problem of overfeeding, which will prevent the child from gaining weight. The stool will be loose and yellowish in milder cases and greenish in more severe cases.
If this state progresses they will become grayish and even take on an appearance similar to that of sour milk. In the latter case, the puppy will no longer be taking advantage of any nutrients and they will need intensive veterinary care By weighing them daily we can quickly detect when there is a problem, which should be consulted with the veterinarian, as nursing puppies can die in a matter of hours. This is more likely to happen when we are artificially feeding them.
Diarrhea accompanied by anorexia, distension of the abdomen, drop in temperature, lack of coordination and pain may be indicative of canine herpesvirus infection, a serious pathology, capable of causing death in hours. Intensive treatment may be attempted. Surviving puppies usually maintain neurological sequelae.
Treatment for diarrhea in puppies
If we want to know how to cure diarrhea in puppies, it is essential to find the cause. The mildest ones may spontaneously remit in a few hours, such as those due to moments of stress. The one caused by changes in diet may take a few days to resolve, until the stomach adapts to the new food. We can control it at home as long as there is no dehydration, it is mild and it does not persist for more than a day. There are antidiarrheal products that can only be given with a veterinary prescription.
Those caused by intestinal parasites are treated with the corresponding antiparasitic. Sometimes it is possible to directly observe the worm in the diarrhea. Otherwise, the veterinarian will examine a stool sample under a microscope to identify the cause. Some parasites are not easy to detect and require stool tests on different days.
Diarrhea due to infections will need antibiotics for dogs and, if necessary, supportive treatment such as fluid therapy when they are profuse or accompanied by vomiting. After a process in which the digestive system has been altered, it is important to restore the diet, which we can do with veterinary diets specifically formulated for these cases.
If the puppy has swallowed something she may need surgery
As prevention, we must not forget the importance of regular deworming, vaccination against parvovirus and security measures to avoid poisoning or ingestion of foreign bodies.
Home remedies for diarrhea in puppies
As we have seen, diarrhea in puppies will require that we contact the vet. At home, for mild disorders such as diarrhea due to stress or changes in diet, we can follow the following measures:
- Let the digestive system rest by offering only water for a few hours.
- After resting, it is better to introduce foods that are easy to digest and low in fat, such as cooked white rice, cooked minced meat or chicken, also cooked and without skin. We will not add s alt or sauces.
- Other foods that we can choose are cottage cheese, cooked pasta or hard-boiled egg.
- Always in small amounts several times a day.
- As the dog improves, we can gradually return to his usual diet
