Canine diarrhea can be characterized by quite a few symptoms, although there are a few that occur
in the vast majority of cases. The most common sign that your dog is suffering from diarrhea is
the increased amount of loose or watery fecal matter. The feces may also smell
more unpleasant than usual. At this point, you will hopefully be familiar enough with your dog’s
bathroom habits to realize when something is out of the ordinary.
Most dogs that suffer from canine diarrhea will have to defecate more frequently, and with more
intensity. Your dog may also seem to get better only to experience a more severe case within the
span of a few days. In addition, your dog may pick up a certain amount of fecal matter in his tail,
which may result in a lingering unpleasant odor around his vicinity.
As a dog owner, you will probably experience quite a few case of canine diarrhea over the years.
The good news is that most cases of diarrhea in your pet is nothing to be concerned about, and they
should clear up on their own within a few days. There are certain cases of canine diarrhea that
may warrant a more thorough diagnosis and treatment however, particularly if they are accompanied
by the following symptoms:
Blood in the stool. Any signs of blood in the feces should immediately be brought
to the attention of your veterinarian. This is a particularly alarming symptom that can be caused
by a number of serious medical conditions ranging from a virus infection to parasites. Both of these
conditions can obviously be potentially dangerous and even life threatening, so it is best not to
take any chances when you notice them.
Short periods of high intensity diarrhea. This is another common sign of a serious
health problem, and should again be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. In addition to
being a common sign of a viral or bacterial infection, this could also be an indicator of any one
of a host of common canine illnesses.
Dehydration. Dogs can be a lot more sensitive to the effects of dehydration than
humans are, particularly during episodes of canine diarrhea. Making sure that your dog gets plenty
of water at all times is important of course, but it is even more so during diarrhea attacks. If
your dog refuses to drink the water that you give him, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Most of these causes are quite common and easily observed in most dogs. The underlying conditions
that may be present may not be as easy to detect however, so it is important to bring your pet in
for diagnosis if the diarrhea persists for more than a few days. Be aware of your dog’s habits and
take him to the vet if things do not improve within a few days, and you will have done your part
in ensuring the continued good health of your pet.