If your puppy has diarrhea, you're not alone. Diarrhea is one of the most common medical problems seen in puppies. There are a number of different causes of diarrhea in puppies, and the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. In this article, we will review the most common reasons why puppies have diarrhea and what you can do to help your puppy feel better.

What is diarrhea in puppies and what are the common symptoms?

Diarrhea is a condition in which the stool is loose and watery. Diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, and fever depending on the underlying cause. Veterinarians will determine what type of diarrhea your puppy has. For example, veterinarians separate diarrhea into small and large bowel types. These different types have different symptoms, causes, and treatments.

With small bowel diarrhea, puppies will have a normal bowel movement frequency but will experience diarrhea. For example, if your puppy normally has 2-3 bowel movements per day, he or she will continue to have 2-3 bowel movements but will be diarrheic. Puppies that have small bowel diarrhea have weight loss, poor body condition, vomiting, and flatulence.

Diarrhea in puppies that originates from the large bowel, or colon, typically presents with clinical symptoms of straining to defecate, mucous or blood in the stool, cramping, and increased frequency of bowel movements (defecations). There typically aren't any signs of weight loss or appetite changes with large bowel diarrhea in puppies.

What are the most common causes of diarrhea in puppies?

There are 3 main causes of diarrhea in puppies and they include dietary, infectious, and parasitic causes.

Dietary causes of diarrhea in puppies

One of the most common reasons puppies have diarrhea is due to dietary indiscretion. This means that your puppy ate something he or she shouldn't have, such as garbage, spoiled food, or a foreign object. Puppies are notorious for getting into things they're not supposed to and can easily ingest something that doesn't agree with them. Dietary food allergies and intolerances are also a factor if your puppy has chronic diarrhea. If your puppy has diarrhea and you can't think of anything he or she could have eaten, it's a good idea to bring your pup in for a visit to your veterinarian.

Infectious causes of diarrhea in puppies

Puppies can get sick from many different types of infections, including bacterial and viral infections. These infections can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and poor appetite. One of the most severe infections that a puppy can have is parvovirus. Parvovirus in puppies can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and severe dehydration. Without treatment, parvovirus can be fatal.

Campylobacter is a common bacterial infection that causes diarrhea in puppies. This infection is usually from contaminated food, water, and the environment. Puppies with campylobacter diarrhea typically have bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and fever.

Intestinal parasitic cause of diarrhea in puppies

Intestinal parasites, such as intestinal worms, coccidia, and giardia are common in puppies and can also lead to diarrhea. Giardia is one of the most common parasites that puppies can get. Giardia is a parasite that lives in the small intestine and causes diarrhea, weight loss, and poor body condition. Puppies can get Giardia from contaminated food, water, or contact with other infected animals. Puppies that are infected with giardia often have profound diarrhea that is foul-smelling. If your puppy has diarrhea and you think he or she may have a parasite, it's important to bring your pup in for a visit to your veterinarian.

Puppies contract intestinal roundworms from their mother during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy via the transplacental route. These initial stages of the roundworm parasite will eventually migrate to your puppy's intestinal tract over a period of many months after birth. This is why frequent deworming for the first 4 months of life is important.

Coccidia in puppies is another common intestinal parasite that can cause diarrhea. This parasite is most commonly acquired from exposure to infected stool, but can also be contracted through contaminated food or water. Puppies with coccidia have diarrhea that is often bloody and foul-smelling.

How is diarrhea in puppies properly diagnosed?

If your puppy has diarrhea, it's important to bring him or her in for a visit to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will ask you about your puppy's history and perform a physical examination. Based on the findings from the history and physical examination, your veterinarian may recommend some diagnostic tests. These tests may include a fecal flotation for identifying worm eggs and coccidia, a giardia test, or a parvovirus test if your puppy has incomplete vaccinations. Remember, just because you cannot see worms in your puppy's stool doesn't mean they aren't there, so it is always best to deworm your puppy prior to further testing and medications.

How is diarrhea treated in puppies?

Treatment for diarrhea in puppies will depend on the underlying cause. If your puppy has a dietary indiscretion, such as garbage ingestion, the treatment is usually supportive care with feeding a bland diet for a couple of days. This means offering small meals frequently and making sure your pup stays hydrated with plenty of fresh water. If your puppy has an infection, such as parvovirus or campylobacter, treatment will be more aggressive and may include hospitalization, IV fluids, antibiotics, and anti-nausea medication. If your puppy has intestinal parasites, such as roundworms or coccidia, treatment will be with specific dewormers. Giardia is treated with a specific antiparasitic medication.

If your puppy is asymptomatic except for diarrhea, you can try offering supplemental levels of fiber. The best way to add fiber to a puppy's diet is to add a small amount of bran cereal. Bran cereal (without raisins!) has the highest level of fiber, especially compared to canned pumpkin which is another option. If your puppy fails to respond to fiber supplementation over a couple of days, it would be best to reach out to your veterinarian for further advice.

What can you do to prevent diarrhea in your puppy?

The best way to prevent diarrhea in your puppy is to practice good hygiene and keep up with their vaccinations. This means washing your hands thoroughly after handling your puppy, picking up their stool, or going for a walk. It's also important to make sure your puppy has received all of its vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian. Finally, keep your puppy away from areas where he or she may come into contact with contaminated stool or water. Feeding your puppy a good quality, highly digestible diet is also a good idea. The majority of a puppy's immune system is in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, therefore a happy GI system means a healthy immune system.

How long does diarrhea last in puppies on average?

On average, uncomplicated diarrhea lasts for about 2-3 days in puppies. However, if your puppy has diarrhea for more than three days or is lethargic, vomiting, or has a fever, you should see a veterinarian immediately. Diarrhea can be caused by many different things and some causes can be serious, so it's always best to have your puppy evaluated by your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis.

Additional tips for dealing with diarrhea in puppies

  • Always provide plenty of fresh water for your puppy to drink. This will help prevent dehydration.
  • Offer a small amount of bland food, such as boiled chicken or white rice, every 3-4 hours.
  • If you are concerned that your puppy is not drinking enough fluids, you can add canned puppy food to their meals for the extra moisture benefits.
  • Add a small amount of bran to their meals, either with bran cereal or canned pumpkin.

Q&A about diarrhea in puppies

Is diarrhea in puppies contagious?

Some types of diarrhea, such as parvovirus and giardia, are highly contagious. However, not all cases of diarrhea are contagious. It's always best to check with your veterinarian to be sure.

Why does my puppy keep getting diarrhea?

If your puppy is getting diarrhea frequently, it's important to figure out the underlying cause. There are many different things that can cause diarrhea in puppies and some causes can be serious. It's best to have your puppy evaluated by a veterinarian to get a definitive diagnosis. It could be as simple as a dietary allergy or intolerance or something more severe like an intestinal disease for example.

What should I do if my puppy has diarrhea?

If your puppy has diarrhea, there are a few things you can do to help. First, make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink. You can also offer them small meals of bland food, such as boiled chicken or white rice, every few hours. Finally, you can add a small amount of bran cereal or canned pumpkin to their meals for the extra fiber benefits.

When should I see a veterinarian about my puppy's diarrhea?

If your puppy has diarrhea for more than three days, is vomiting, is lethargic, or has a fever, you should see a veterinarian immediately. Diarrhea can be caused by many different things and some causes can be serious, so it's always best to have your puppy evaluated by your veterinarian.

In summary, diarrhea in puppies is very common and can have many different causes. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include dietary changes, antibiotics, or antiparasitic medications. Prevention tips include practicing good hygiene, keeping up with vaccinations, and avoiding contact with contaminated areas. Diarrhea usually lasts for two days, but if it persists for more than three days or your puppy becomes lethargic you should see a veterinarian immediately, they are the best resource for diagnosing and treating this frustrating condition.