By Dr. Isadora O’Brien
If you have owned a dog or cat for any length of time you probably have had to deal with this unfortunate symptom. So let’s talk about some helpful facts about diarrhea.
First let’s talk about what diarrhea is. Diarrhea is unformed or loose stools. Often with diarrhea bowel movements occur more frequently than normal which can sometimes result in accidents in the home. Diarrhea is the result of the combination of faster than normal movement of fecal material through the GI tract and decreased absorption of fluids and nutrients.
So what causes diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be caused by a long list of things. Some serious and requiring medical attention and others which may be self limiting (will resolve on their own). A few of the common causes include but are not limited to viruses (such as parvovirus), bacteria (such as food borne illness), internal parasites, dietary indiscretion (pet ate something that they shouldn’t have), and organ disease/dysfunction (such as pancreatitis).
So how do you know when you should be concerned? Things to watch for that may signal a more serious issue include lack of appetite or water intake, lethargy, vomiting, stool that is bloody or black and tarry. Or diarrhea that does not improve over 2-3 days.
Extra caution should be taken with puppies and kittens as they are much more prone to dehydration than adult animals and therefore it is best to seek veterinary advice/care if diarrhea is seen.
If your pet is otherwise acting normal you can try to monitor them and see if it will resolve on its own for a couple of days. We recommend feeding a bland easy to digest diet such as boiled chicken breast and rice. Sometimes increasing fiber in the diet will also help to resolve diarrhea, canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber that most pets enjoy.
Probiotics also can be helpful in diarrhea cases. These are available over the counter. Keep in mind that probiotics are species specific. This means that human probiotics (such as yogurt, etc) are not helpful for dogs or cats. We recommend a high quality pet probiotic such as the brands Proviable or Purina Fortiflora as these both have been studied rigorously.
Some of the recommendations that we may make if you pet is having diarrhea include:
- Scheduling an exam so a doctor can check your pets vitals, hydration, etc.
- Dropping off a fecal sample to check for internal parasites
- A parvovirus test is often recommended in puppies or unvaccinated adults.
- Other tests may include blood tests, advanced fecal testing or even a food trial.
It is not unusual for a dog who has been having diarrhea to go a day or even two after without having a bowel movement. As long as your pet is not straining this can be normal as it can take awhile before a normal bowel movement is formed.
As always, if in doubt, ask your vet!
