How do I get my puppy’s diarrhea under control?
Original Question: My 7-month-old puppy has had diarrhea for the past few days. Yesterday it was nearly all water with no real texture to it. I had run out of his kibble a few days ago and fed him some canned salmon for one meal and chicken with rice for another. There doesn't seem to be any blood in his feces. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. - Dimitri
Oct 12, 2017
Hi Dimitri,
Diarrhea can be very frustrating to deal with in a puppy! There are many, many causes, and figuring this out can be a challenge. To name a few – parasites, viruses, bacteria, a foreign body (such as a toy or clothing), toxins, endocrine diseases, and even stress. The first thing I generally recommend is submitting a fecal sample to your vet to check for parasites. Parasites are common and relatively straightforward to treat, so this is always a good first step. There are other tests that can be done to screen for things like viruses and bacteria, as your vet deems appropriate. Additional testing such as bloodwork and imaging (x-rays and/or ultrasound) may be recommended, depending what your vet finds on physical exam. The longer the diarrhea continues, and if it is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy and abdominal pain, the more concerned we become.
I hope this gives you a bit of direction.
Dr. Kim Hester
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