Persistent Diarrhea in Dogs: Causes and Solutions

Understanding the Causes of Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs can often be attributed to common factors such as exposure to cold, food intolerance, bacterial enteritis, viral enteritis, parasitic enteritis, and foreign body enteritis. However, other health issues like kidney damage, pancreatitis, liver disease, intestinal polyps, or tumors can also lead to diarrhea.

How to Handle Dog Diarrhea

When dealing with diarrhea, it's crucial to identify what the dog may have eaten prior to the onset of symptoms. If overeating is suspected, consider reducing the feeding amount and observing the dog's response. If the cause remains unclear, it's essential to schedule a veterinary visit promptly to determine the root cause of the diarrhea. Treatment should be tailored to the underlying condition, and it's important to maintain warmth to prevent further complications due to cold exposure.

Preventing Dog Diarrhea in Daily Life

Regular Deworming: Keep your pet on a regular deworming schedule to prevent parasitic infections.

Balanced Diet: Ensure your dog's food is nutritionally balanced and avoid frequent changes in diet, which can upset their stomach.

Vaccinations: Puppies should receive their vaccinations on time to protect against viral infections.

Safe Outdoor Activities: When outdoors, keep your dog on a leash to prevent them from picking up foreign objects that could cause intestinal issues.

Monitoring Older Dogs: For older dogs, keep an eye out for signs of vomiting, drinking, and eating habits alongside diarrhea. If the diarrhea persists for 23 days without improvement, seek veterinary care immediately. Remember, gastrointestinal symptoms can also be a sign of kidney, liver, or pancreatic diseases, and dehydration can exacerbate the condition, so don't hesitate to seek medical attention.