Acute diarrhea in dogs

Steps for Accurately Detecting and Treating Acute Diarrhea in Dogs

Acute diarrhea is a common clinical problem in veterinary practice. It is characterized by a sudden onset and short duration (three weeks or less) of watery or watery-mucoid diarrhea. Occasionally the fecal material is also overtly bloody. Diarrhea is sometimes referred to by the term “enteritis” which means inflammation of the intestine.

Diarrhea results from excessive water content in the feces and is an important sign of intestinal diseases in the dog. Diarrhea can affect your dog by causing extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances.

General Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs

What to Watch For

Diagnosis of Acute Diarrhea in Dogs

Although most cases of acute diarrhea are short-lived and self-limiting, there are some cases that require diagnostic testing to confirm an underlying cause. Such tests include:

Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea is a symptom that can be caused by many different diseases or conditions. Specific treatment requires a diagnosis. The diagnostic tests described previously may reveal a diagnosis, however, in the interim symptomatic therapy may be helpful to reduce the severity of signs and offer relief to your pet:

What to Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

In-depth Information on Acute Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea results from excessive water content in the feces and is an important sign of intestinal diseases in the dog. Diarrhea can affect your dog by causing extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances.

Acute diarrhea associated with vomiting, lack of water intake, fever, depression, or other symptoms should prompt a visit to your veterinarian.

Causes

Many disorders and diseases can lead to acute diarrhea. These include:

Diagnosis In-depth

Although most cases of acute diarrhea are short-lived and self-limiting, there are some cases that require diagnostic testing to confirm an underlying cause. Such tests include:

Treatment In-depth

Diarrhea is a symptom that can be caused by many different diseases or conditions, and specific treatment requires a diagnosis. Symptomatic therapy may be tried in mild cases of short duration, or may be instituted while diagnostic testing is underway. These treatments may reduce the severity of signs and offer relief to your pet:

Follow-up Care for Diarrhea in Dogs

The best treatment for your dog requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. For optimal follow-up success in the treatment of your pet, please do the following: