Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a very common condition in dogs and is the passing of watery or very loose stools. It may also be accompanied by flatulence, lip licking, mucous in the stools, fever, nausea and/or vomiting. Its primary cause is due to the dog ingesting something toxic or disagreeable, although other causes include infection, disease and parasitical infection.

If your dog develops diarrhoea, the first thing you should do is determine the cause:

• Consider what your dog has eaten in the last two days. Has there been any change in food (food should be changed gradually)? Have you given treats that your dog does not usually eat, including human food? Has your dog picked up anything on its walks? Does your dog have access to any compost heaps, rubbish bins or supply cupboards? Have you given any harmful treats to your dog, such as chocolate? Has your dog eaten any spoiled food? Has your dog ingested any clothing, toys or toy parts recently?
  

• When was your dog last de-wormed? Worm infestations may cause diarrhoea, particularly with large infestations. For other symptoms of worm infestation, please see our Worms page.
  

• Is your dog receiving any medications which may cause diarrhoea?
  

• Has your dog been under stress recently?
  

If you’re concerned that your dog may have ingested something toxic or has serious accompanying symptoms, it is advisable that you contact your vet to discuss the matter.

For mild diarrhoea, it may help to fast your dog of its normal meals for 12-24 hours to allow the digestive system to correct any imbalances. Diarrhoea is a common cause of dehydration, so fresh, clean water must be available at all times to ensure that this does not happen. A small meal of rice and chicken (provided your dog is not poultry intolerant) can be given to avoid irritating the stomach and intestines. Please do not fast a young puppy; if your puppy develops diarrhoea, take it to a vet.

If your dog’s diarrhoea worsens or does not resolve after 24 hours, a vet trip is recommended to avoid further complications and to determine the cause. If your dog’s diarrhoea is black or contains copious amounts of fresh blood, a trip to the vet is urgent.

When taking your dog to a vet for diarrhoea, provide a stool sample (in a zip-lock bag) if possible.

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