Diarrhea or loose stools are symptoms and not a specific condition. There may be several reasons your pet is having stool changes. Even if the cause is minor, prolonged diarrhea can create serious health complications. Not all causes can be diagnosed easily. We use your pet’s history, life-style, physical exam findings, and diagnostics tests to rule-out conditions. Below are common causes of diarrhea:

Stress

Parasites

Food

Bacteria or Virus

Inflammatory Disease

Foreign Object Ingestion

Toxin

Organ Disease

Diarrhea is concerning especially if your pet is not feeling well, acting uncomfortable, or ingested something he/she shouldn’t have. Some minor cases of loose stools may improve with rest and limiting food with no need for medical treatment. Other cases of diarrhea are considered an emergency.

Early intervention of any illness is always the best course of action. Neighborhood Vet is a walk-in clinic to allow your pet to be assessed as early as possible. Collecting a stool sample for us to analyze is ideal. Here are general guidelines for when to take your pet to the vet for stool changes:

-Diarrhea is lasting over 24 hours or is multiple times in a single day

-Your pet is panting, pacing, lethargic, weak, or painful

-Known exposure to toxin or foreign object

-History of organ disease such as pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease

-Blood in stool

-Straining to defecate

-Vomiting and Diarrhea

-Your pet is young or a senior

-You are concerned or worried about your pet

Don’t Panic

No one enjoys seeing a sick animal or cleaning up the mess. Try to stay calm to reduce the stress of your pet. Sometimes our pets are anxious with stool changes or accidents in the house and can sense our stress which makes everything worse. Staying calm can always help you assess the situation. What does the stool look like? Has this happened before?

Don’t Exercise

Diarrhea or loose stools cause excess water and nutrient losses. Exercising or playing with your pet requires the body to use more energy and water reserves. Dehydration is common with pets having prolonged diarrhea.

Don’t Start Home Remedies

We understand you want your pet to feel better, but starting at home treatment or using internet treatment causes more harm and can add unnecessary costs. At home treatment delays veterinary care and some over the counter medications can be toxic to pets. If you think your pet needs treatment, let our team help.

There is not one test or treatment for diarrhea. After a history and physical exam assessment, our veterinarian can advise a treatment plan.

Testing can include blood count, blood chemistry, electrolyte measurement, specific organ blood tests, urinalysis, and parasite screening. Referral for imaging may be needed for chronic or severe illness.

Treatment can include anti-parasitics, fluid therapy, antibiotics, and therapeutic diets.