Diarrhoea is a very common problem in dogs, and has many different causes.
Most cases only last a few days, and are usually caused by dietary upsets. Food poisoning, bacterial and viral infections can lead to sudden onset diarrhoea, and occasionally certain worm infestations can cause loose motions, although this is rare with the common types of round and tape worms. Feeding too much milk is a common cause as dogs do not have the ability to digest milk proteins properly.
Dogs can also get “chronic” diarrhoea, which is usually milder but is long term, lasting for weeks or more. This may be due to inflammatory conditions in the small or large intestine preventing absorption of food, alteration to the normal bacteria levels in the gut, or not enough digestive enzymes being produced by the pancreas.
There is a different treatment for all the different causes of diarrhoea, so diagnosis by your vet is essential and may involve laboratory tests.

TREATMENT FOR MILD CASES
If your dog normally passes well formed motions, but suddenly passes semi liquid ones, and perhaps loses some control, it is likely that it was something he ate, or an acute bowel infection. He may have had a sudden change of diet, too much of an unsuitable food, or you may even have seen him eating something inappropriate while out on your walk – often a decomposing rabbit. If the dog seems otherwise bright and well, the diarrhoea will probably resolve itself within 24 hours. You can help by feeding a bland diet like boiled rice, in small quantities, and water to drink.
If the diarrhoea does not clear up with this treatment, or the dog seems ill and unhappy, then you must see your vet. Further delay can mean a longer recovery and risk to the dog. Be particularly careful with diarrhoea in pups – young animals cannot afford the loss of fluid which occurs with diarrhoea and must be treated quickly, even in mild cases.
You can help prevent mild diarrhoea by
- keeping the diet consistent all the time, with no sudden changes in diet (many people think this is boring for the dog, but he will not care)
- not feeding milk
- preventing access to unsuitable foods and scavenging
- if you do need to change the diet, do it gradually over a week, adding a little more of the new diet, and taking away a little of the old diet every day

TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS OR CHRONIC CASES
If your dog has diarrhoea (especially with blood) and seems ill – dull, not hungry, not wanting to go on walks – then he must be taken as soon as possible to the vets. Severe diarrhoea, especially with vomiting, can cause the dog to become dehydrated which is very serious. The vet may need to give the dog fluids through an intravenous drip to correct the dehydration, and can also give medication to help the resolve the vomiting or diarrhoea. Occasionally, antibiotics may be used. Sometimes it is impossible to say what caused the diarrhoea, although your vet may want to do some tests.
Chronic diarrhoea can be more difficult to treat, and must be diagnosed by the vet. Often the diarrhoea can be fairly mild or intermittent, and the dog may seem bright, but there can be weight loss, and the faeces may appear very pale or greasy, and may contain small amounts of blood or jelly. The dog may need blood or faeces tests. The vet can treat chronic diarrhoea with medication and dietary control.
In the case of pancreatic insufficiency – where the dog cannot produce enough digestive enzymes to break down his food – the condition cannot be cured, but enzymes can be added to the food, and the diet changed to make it easier to digest. This can be a difficult and expensive condition to control.

GENERAL NURSING
Nursing care is important in any case of diarrhoea. The back end of the dog is likely to become soiled especially in long haired dogs, and in hot weather the smell can attract flies which will lay eggs that form maggots. The dog’s anus may become raw and inflamed from the scalding of the wet faeces. Washing the area regularly with plenty of water and gentle soap will make life more pleasant for you and your dog.

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