One of the hardest things about the relationship with our furry friends is that they can’t tell us when they’re not feeling well! Diarrhea is one of the most common problems that bring both dogs and cats to the vet. From cleaning up messes to getting up in the middle of the night to let your pet out to relieve themselves can become stressful quickly!
So, the question remains. Why is this happening and how can I help? Diarrhea in both dogs and cats can be associated with a number of underlying conditions. Whether you’re dealing with a messy house or losing sleep, understanding the root causes of your pet’s discomfort is crucial for their well-being.
In most cases, diarrhea in dogs and cats will resolve itself in a matter of a few hours or days. However, it’s essential to delve deeper into the reasons behind it, exploring potential triggers, preventive measures, and when to seek professional help. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about diarrhea in your beloved pets, empowering you with the knowledge to ensure their health and happiness!
What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats?
Diarrhea is one of the most common signs of gastrointestinal upset. Oftentimes it may be the cause of something simple like having eaten something bad or there is an abrupt change in their diet. However, diarrhea can also be a symptom of something more complicated like cancer or organ problems.
The list of possible causes of diarrhea in cats and dogs is long and varied. Some of the most common causes are:
- Viral, bacterial, and parasitic conditions
- Rapid dietary change
- Gastrointestinal toxins
- Food hypersensitivity
- Intestinal cancer
- Intestinal obstruction
- Systemic endocrine or metabolic conditions
- Medication reaction
What is important to remember is that regardless of the cause, prolonged diarrhea can lead to debilitating dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, protein loss and more. These imbalances can quickly become a vicious cycle that leads to serious illness, and even death if not recognised and treated on time.
That’s why it is always important to monitor your pet closely. You know your furry friend best! If your pet’s energy level is lower than it normally is, they’re vomiting, have experienced weight loss or have a significant pre-existing medical condition that would make them less able to deal with the effects of dehydration, then you shouldn’t let their diarrhea go on any longer than 36 hours.
Similarly, if your pets are very young puppies or kittens or in their “golden years” their diarrhea should not go unchecked. As explained above, this can lead to dehydration and other complications that will prolong your pet’s suffering as well as make treatment more difficult and expensive.
Diarrhea Treatment & Management
When it comes to treating and managing diarrhea in dogs and cats, the approach varies based on the underlying problem. From temporary food withholding to complex surgical interventions for more severe issues, the goal is to address the root cause effectively.
Cases of mild diarrhea typically respond well to some TLC and basic home care. It is important to monitor and assess your pet. If they seem well and aren’t displaying other symptoms such as lethargy, poor appetite or vomiting you are likely not dealing with an emergency situation.
1. Tailored Treatment for Underlying Issues
- Temporary Food Withholding: In some cases, withholding food for a short period may be recommended.
- Surgical Interventions: For more serious underlying problems, surgical procedures might be necessary.
2. At-Home Care for Mild Cases
- Tender Loving Care (TLC): Cases of mild diarrhea often respond well to basic home care and attention.
- Monitoring and Assessment: Watch for signs of improvement or worsening. If your pet appears well and lacks symptoms like lethargy, poor appetite, or vomiting, it may not be an emergency.
3. Hydration and Rest
- Access to Fresh Water: Ensure your pet has constant access to fresh water to prevent dehydration.
- Rest: Allow your pet to rest to aid recovery.
4. Bland Diet for Quick Recovery
- Highly Digestible, Low-Fat Diet: Implement a “bland diet” consisting of boiled chicken breast, boiled white rice, or prescription diet food. This diet helps in improving digestion and easing the gastrointestinal system.
5. When to Seek Professional Help
- Duration of Diarrhea: If diarrhea persists for more than 36 hours, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian. Extended diarrhea could indicate serious issues like liver or kidney failure, diabetes, viral infections, allergic bowel disease, or even certain cancers.
- Diagnostic Assessment: Veterinary examination allows for a thorough assessment to identify the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
Taking Your Pet To The Vet: What Will We do?
We all think that a quick google will help answer all our medical questions, however nothing beats the advice and opinion from a trained professional. Taking your pet to the vet is often the best option when you have concerns about their health. A thorough questioning is crucial to determining the cause of your f\pet’s diarrhea. Common questions include:
- How long has the diarrhea been going on?
- What does the stool look like(what colour is it, is there any blood, etc? )
- Is your pet on any medications or supplements?
- What is your pet’s regular diet?
- Has your pet recently gotten into the trash or compost?
- Has your pet been around multiple other pets?
There really is a wealth of important information that your vet will obtain from a physical examination of your pet. These include whether or not your pet’s abdomen is painful, whether or not there is a mass or foreign body within your pet’s rectum, or elsewhere within your pet’s intestinal tract or other body systems such as the small intestines or large intestines.
Your vet will pick up on important things during the course of their physical examination that you may not have thought of or found yourself. They will be able to identify if your pet has inflammatory bowel disease, acute diarrhea, pancreatic insufficiency or their symptoms are a side effect of other veterinary medicine (if they are taking it)
Depending on what is found during your pet’s examination, various tests may be conducted to help include or exclude underlying conditions and causes. The most common test is the “fecal float and smear”. This test looks at intestinal parasites and bacteria. Additional test include blood tests, x-rays or ultrasounds.
Once your veterinarian has found the cause of your pet’s diarrhea, they will recommend treatments to help ease your pet’s symptoms. In most cases, a bland diet and time is all that is needed to resolve their diarrhea. However, if there is a more serious underlying cause various different treatments will be recommended. The treatment that will be most effective will be determined by the results of their history, physical exam and diagnostic testing.
Ensuring Tails Wag and Whiskers Purr
When dealing with loose stools and diarrhea in dogs and cats, the answers and treatments can seem easy until they aren’t! Ultimately, it’s crucial to monitor your pet closely and to keep your veterinarian informed when you are concerned about your pet’s symptoms. Our pets can’t talk to us to tell us how they feel, its up to us to make sure they are healthy!
Need expert advice on managing diarrhea in dogs and cats? Contact The House Call Vet today and our team of enthusiastic veterinarians are happy to assist. From routine check-ups and mobile vet care services to emergency appointments, we provide comprehensive and compassionate care for your pets
