{"id":22033,"date":"2022-10-03T06:25:47","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T12:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=22033"},"modified":"2022-10-03T06:26:25","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T12:26:25","slug":"when-is-dog-diarrhea-an-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/health-wellness\/when-is-dog-diarrhea-an-emergency","title":{"rendered":"Pool of Stool: When Is Dog Diarrhea an Emergency?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every pooch has a little diarrhea every now and again. Who doesn\u2019t? Often, it\u2019s no big deal, but sometimes it\u2019s an indicator of something far more serious. That could mean anything from just an upset stomach to cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how can a loving pet parent know when a bout of diarrhea is nothing to worry about or a life-threatening emergency? Let\u2019s take a look at the scoop on your dog\u2019s poop!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Common Causes of Diarrhea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"why<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of different causes of diarrhea. At the heart of what\u2019s happening is that the normal movement of the gastrointestinal tract, known as peristalsis, has become too rapid because it\u2019s trying to get something out of the body quickly. It\u2019s really one of the body\u2019s defense mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It results in diarrhea which can be mild or severe, but even mild bouts of diarrhea can become a problem if the problem goes on for too long. Let\u2019s explore a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mild Cases of Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"why<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mild cases of diarrhea may not seem like they require a trip to the vet, but they can pose a serious threat to pet health<\/a>. Even if it is something that can be treated relatively easily, ignoring the problem can result in a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is common for your pet to get mild diarrhea every now and again. This is often a reaction by your dog\u2019s body to something it wants to get rid of fast. For example, perhaps your pup got into the garbage and ate something his system is not used to, or that was spoiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you changed his dog food or treats<\/a>, and that has caused diarrhea. That kind of diarrhea will often pass (pun intended), but if it lasts for too long, it can become a problem. Chronic diarrhea, even if it\u2019s mild, can cause dehydration, and that can become a serious health issue in and of itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Related reading: Be a Turd Nerd: Study This Healthy Dog Poop Chart<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pancreatitis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, sometimes eating something he\u2019s not used to can give your dog a case of pancreatitis. In addition to producing insulin, the pancreas also produces certain digestive enzymes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your dog gets into the garbage or eats too many table scraps at Thanksgiving,<\/a> for example, the pancreas can become inflamed, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. This situation will often require a trip to the emergency vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal parasites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another common reason for bouts of diarrhea is intestinal parasites. Dogs are susceptible to several common parasites, including roundworms, giardia, whipworms, coccidia, and hookworms. All of these can cause loose bowel movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To diagnose intestinal parasites so you can treat them, you\u2019ll need to take a sample of your dog\u2019s stool to your veterinarian for analysis. They can figure out which one your dog has and give you medication to get rid of them. It\u2019s important to get them treated because a large parasite infestation can threaten a puppy\u2019s life, and it can compromise an adult dog\u2019s immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress & Anxiety<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of diarrhea is stress or anxiety. When your dog is stressed, it activates what is known as his fight or flight nervous system, the job of which is to prepare your dog for either fighting or fleeing a threat. Part of that preparation can be the evacuation of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medication<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also possible that certain medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect, and this may be the problem. Again, even if this is mild in its expression, if it goes on for too long, you may need to contact your veterinarian to change the medication or diagnose the cause of the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serious Cases of Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"when<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Other conditions that can cause diarrhea<\/a> may indicate a more serious problem. It\u2019s easy for dogs, particularly puppies, to ingest foreign objects. You know, they eat your couch, so they\u2019re ingesting fabric and other items that are not normally on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can also swallow toys or bones, and these can irritate their gastrointestinal tract or even cause a blockage in their intestines. If that happens, that\u2019s a big problem that may require emergency veterinary care, including surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other serious health issues can lead to mild intestinal distress or more severe diarrhea. It\u2019s always possible your dog has ingested some kind of toxin or poison, or he may have gotten ahold of something in the house, like human medications or certain plants<\/a>, that are toxic for dogs. If you suspect this is the case, it is an emergency, and you\u2019ll need to get to the animal hospital immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some other underlying causes of diarrhea that represent a serious threat to your dog\u2019s health. These include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n