Emergency veterinary hospitals like ours see many dogs with cases of diarrhoea each week. In fact, it’s the most common cause of dogs visiting AREC. Diarrhoea can signal a number of things – both acute and chronic – and it’s important to keep an eye on the symptoms to determine when to seek veterinary advice. Dr Caroline Romeo, AREC’s Veterinary Director, guides us through the essential things to know.
What you might be seeing.
Diarrhoea in pets is categorised by abnormally loose or watery stools, often accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite and sometimes vomiting.
You may also be seeing your dog straining when trying to poo, increasing their water intake or showing signs of abdominal pain. There may even be traces of blood or mucus in their poo.
What diarrhoea can mean.
Diarrhoea can mean several things, and it’s tricky when our pets can’t tell us what’s wrong. We need to be vigilant in tracking the signs and the time that changes were first noticed.
Diarrhoea can mean anything from your dog eating something foreign or suffering from stress or anxiety to an infection, toxicity or a symptom of a more serious condition.
When to seek vet advice.
It’s best to err on the side of caution by calling your veterinarian for a phone triage.
When it comes to your dog’s health, it’s often wiser to play it safe. Taking your dog in for a check-up gives your vet the opportunity to identify the cause of the diarrhoea and suggest the most appropriate treatment.
Puppies, older dogs and dogs with pre-existing health conditions need especially close monitoring when they’re experiencing diarrhoea.
Do not give your pet human medications under any circumstances. If you suspect they have ingested these, see your vet or bring them straight in to see us at AREC.
What tests will the vet do?
If your dog’s diarrhoea is ongoing or comes with other symptoms like fever, weight loss, vomiting, changes in drinking habits, or a loss of appetite, your vet will run some tests to figure out what’s going on. These can include blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy and urine and faecal testing. This ensures that your dog is receiving the right treatment, which can include fluid therapy, medications, diet changes or surgery.
What can a serious or chronic case mean?
Diarrhoea can be caused by problems within the digestive system itself, like parasites, bacterial or viral infections, eating something they shouldn’t have, cancer, or conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. It can also be a sign of other underlying issues, such as liver disease, diabetes or pancreatitis.
Even when the initial cause isn’t severe, diarrhoea can become dangerous if it leads to significant fluid and nutrient loss and isn’t treated early. This is why close monitoring and seeking vet assistance is important.
