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Ask the Vet About Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Ask the Vet About Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Dr. Michael Dym
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
Submit Your QuestionDate: Jan 16, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Loose stools
Question:I keep having recurring loose stool with one of my breeding females. She is fine during pregnancy and when she don’t have puppies. She starts getting loose stools when the puppies are almost 2 weeks. The puppies usually get loose stools to that smell strong sulfur smell. I’ve took the moms and puppies stools in for fecal checks and they never find anything. I always take puppies in for exams and fecals before going home. Everything is always good. The vet has gave Albon before just in case it was coccidia. They gave amoxicillin once because it smelled like a infection. Her first litter had greenish mucus diarrhea that came and go. One puppy still had loose stools after treating with Albon and giving safeguard 5 days in a roll .20cc per pound. The owner finally found out after several stool checked it was Giardia. I’m not having mucus green poops with our current litter. The did have yellow poop that was getting all over each other and their bedding. I’ve treated all the dogs and puppies in the house again like they have Giardia and coccidia. I disinfected everything they came in contact with and cleaned all the poop in the yard than sprayed bleach in their dog run. I bathed them all with chlor 4 shampoo let it set 5 mins. All our dogs has normal stools expect the one problem mother that keeps getting soft stools. It’s yellow mush. I’ve bought the liquid probiotics to add in their water with no difference. I’ve been adding 100% canned pumpkin to the moms food with no change. I’ve been feeding her separate from the others just in case she’s over eating. I thought that was helping but now she’s starting to have loose stools again. Her puppies poop is fine. She does eat fast like she’s starving when she has puppies and will eat everything she can get to. So I’ve been not allowing her to eat all day. I feed her a cup twice a day. I feed canidae all life chicken and rice. She’s a mini schnauzer. What could be the problem?
Answer:It sounds like she may need a referral to a GI specialist who will do many more tests (TLI, intestinal biopsies, ultrasound, etc.) to see exactly what is going on. A good probiotic like this one may help: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if she was properly dewormed as a pup - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html
Date: Jan 15, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
Question:My dog has suffered with this with having flareups once a year every summer for about three years now and I know what works and I know the early signs there is an antibiotic I don’t quite know how to spell it but it starts with an M and I was wondering if I could order it on here without a script because I know it personally helps every time
Answer:Metronidazole works nicely for most dogs. A veterinarian that has met your dog face-to-face would have to approve the prescription. Here is a link to the product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Metronidazole-prod10098.html
Date: Jan 14, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Intermittent Diarrhea
Question:My 12 year old beagle has had intermittent Diarrhea since april. And has been on and off a bland diet alot as flare ups happen. He responds well to flagyl mostly, and once weened back onto kibble diarrhea flares again after a week or so. He has been on two different prescription foods which have not helped. He is now back on bland after trying nutrisource purevita. Which he turned his nose to once diarrhea came back. He loves the bland diet, can I keep him on it long term if I add a veggie mix, and perhaps add a multi-vitamin supplement? Also any thoughts on cause of intermittent issues. Blood been drawn twice with normal results. All vet says is somesort of gi disease issue. I have appt for second opinion, but cant get me in for three weeks. Thank you so much.
Answer:Chronic diarrhea like that can have many different underlying causes that are treated differently so many tests are often necessary when it continues to be a problem (TLI test to screen for EPI, multiple fecal samples looking for Giardia, coccidia, whipworms, intestinal biopsies, etc etc.) so I'm glad you are getting another opinion and continuing to look for an underlying cause.
Date: Jan 13, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Cat
Topic: Anxiety and severe diarrhea
Question:Our cat has severe diarrhea and is anxious or stressed daily. She's always had loose stool but it has gotten worse. She's starting to lose her hair now too. She got really bad when a male cat came into the house. He torments her to death. She clings to me when I'm home cuz he doesn't leave her alone. She has lost quite a bit of weight also. How can I treat the anxiety and what can I use for the diarrhea and help her put some weight back on? She is an older cat but she's got spunk yet
Answer:I would definitely have your veterinarian check her out and run some blood work to see what is going on. Anxiety alone is more than likely not her only issue with all that she has going on (severe diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss) - many things can cause each one of these, some very treatable.
Date: Jan 9, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Diarrhea
Question:How do I stop my 1 year old Newfie’s diarrhea? Food has been unchanged he has been given new treats, but not for a few days now.
Answer:It is ideal to go ahead and see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and more targeted treatment. If that isn't immediately an option, a good probiotic like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if he was properly dewormed as a pup - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html
Date: Jan 8, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Golden retriever/husky
Question:Dog has diarrhea only at mid day.She is 14 and is on a raw food diet. Can you help us?
Answer:It is ideal to go ahead and see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and more targeted treatment, especially at her age. If that isn't immediately an option, a good probiotic like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if she was properly dewormed as a pup - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html
Date: Jan 5, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Food allergies
Question:Hi, everyone my 6 week puppy eat her regular food ,she gets diarrhea... What can I do to help her bowels stiffen
Answer:Determining the underlying cause of the diarrhea is ideal. Start by having your veterinarian analyze multiple different fecal samples looking for intestinal parasites. There are so many causes, I will attach a link to our article about diarrhea that goes over many of those causes and discusses various treatments, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/diarrhea-dog-cat-30.htm
Date: Jan 5, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: black diarrhea
Question:Hello, I will contact my vet in the morning about this. My Chihuahua had to have all of her teeth removed, 18 that was left. She was put under and now has black diarrhea. Could this be caused by the anaesthesia or by swallowing blood when her teeth were being pulled?
Answer:Yes, either, but also many other causes (stress, etc.) so definitely contact your veterinarian if it persists or worsens.
Date: Jan 4, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Bellyache
Question:Bellyache. Loss of appetite and thirst. Has sensitivity left side belly section between the ribs and the hind leg.
Answer:A painful abdomen with a loss of appetite can mean many different things - most treated very differently, so see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis so you can treat him appropriately and get him feeling better.
Date: Jan 2, 2021
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Bloody diarrhea
Question:My dog woke with diarrhea today. Latter in the day she went again and there were drops if blood in the floor.
Answer:With the blood, it really is ideal to go ahead and see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and more targeted treatment. If that isn't immediately an option, try resting her stomach (no food for many hours), then start back with small amounts of bland food. Also a good probiotic like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if she was properly dewormed as a pup - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html
Date: Dec 31, 2020
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Constipation or diarrhea, not sure which
Question:Is it safe to feed our dog pumpkin to help with either of these problems? If so, how much? Our wirehaired dachshund weighs about 18 pounds.
Answer:Yes, it can help, but how much to mix in chronically depends on MANY factors (his normal diet, history of GI issues, last bloodwork, etc.). I don't want to unbalance the diet so consult your veterinarian, who has access to all of that information, for the best advice. A good probiotic, like this one, is also a good idea: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Purina+FortiFlora-prod10376.html
Date: Dec 28, 2020
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: diarrhea
Question:I have 2 senior dogs and for the past month has had diarrhea. Some stools are normal and some are watery. I am trying to switch to a new food since the last would cause diarrhea from time to time. It has been a month since I introduced the new food but they still have diarrhea. I have been mixing it with potato or rice and hamburger. Should I just switch back to the old food or try something else or start over again with just the hamburger and rice? The one is supposed to get a dental next week but I do worry about the diarrhea. Her blood work was great.
Answer:Go ahead and call and let the veterinarian that is going to do the dental know - they will want ot get this under control before anesthesia. They may just want you to drop off a fecal sample to analyze. Other potentially helpful things: good probiotic like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if they were properly dewormed as a pups - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html
Date: Dec 28, 2020
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic:
Question:
Answer:Your question did not come through. Feel free to resubmit another one and I will try to help you. Contact customer service if you continue to have problems. Here is their contact information: Toll Free Number (Call or Text) 1-800-PetMeds® (1-800-738-6337) Email Address customerservice@1800petmeds.com *If your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
Date: Dec 21, 2020
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Chronic Colitis
Question:Hi dr D & team, My 9 year old rough collie Hamish has been suffering from frequent digestive distress since mid September; up every hour at night with diarrhea then days of straining to poop; repeat in 5 or so days. We’re seeing my vet again just after Christmas and will do additional tests looking at possible underlying causes. Regarding dog food, I’ve tried two new brands plus small additions (oatmeal, pumpkin, probiotics; and I’ve always added boiled turkey or beef) but before changing his diet again; I’m researching recommendations for dog food brands and easy to digest supplements that may calm him or help his irritable bowel heal. I’m also open to making him food from scratch temporarily or permanently if that’s what it takes. Thanks in advance for any experience you can share. Eileen and Hamish
Answer:More testing is ideal - to find a definitive diagnosis and treat that specifically - sometimes it's just whipworms or Giardia that haven't shown up on previous fecal tests - or underlying metabolic issues that need to be addressed: diabetes, liver disease, pancreatitis, etc. As far as food, we have the most success with the prescription diets like Science Diet I/D, so see what the tests say and then make a plan for him.
Date: Dec 9, 2020
Category: Diarrhea
Pet Type: Dog
Topic: Garbage gut
Question:My dog got into my trash yesterday but it was mostly thanksgiving left overs and a few other stuff. But he’s had a upset stomach and had explosive diarrhea in my house last night. Is there anything I can give him to help other than lots of water. Possibly like zofran?
Answer:Zofran doesn't really help diarrhea - it is more for nausea and vomiting. It is ideal to go ahead and see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and more targeted treatment. If that isn't immediately an option, a good probiotic like this one: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Fast+Balance+GI+Paste-prod10905.html And a broad spectrum dewormer is another good idea - even if she was properly dewormed as a pup - one that covers whipworms & Giardia is often helpful and won't hurt, like this one - be sure the active ingredient is fenbendazole: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Safe+Guard+Canine+Dewormer-prod12324.html Here is a link to our article about treating diarrhea that gives other helpful suggestions: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/diarrhea-treatment-dog-cat-30.html
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