Diarrhea is usually a sign that the gastrointestinal function is disturbed. The causes can be many, but often it is harmless. If the Diarrhea quickly stops again, it does not need to be treated urgently. One should therefore observe the dog closely, as well as the frequency of diarrhea as well as the Fecal consistency keep an eye on. In the following article you will find everything that owners need to know about diarrhea, what tips are useful, how best to proceed and when it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. intestine more frequently than normal. Feces have a different consistency than usual. Behind the diarrhea can be there are different causes, which usually occurs with other gastrointestinal problems, such as abdominal pain or vomiting. In addition, the triggers can be either harmless or even severe, associated with health consequences, be. The diarrhea can mushy, watery (with or without blood) or also mucous. From eating to defecation usually takes between 12 to 24 hours. Even the color of the diarrhea can provide information about which causes are decisive.
Diarrhea is the most common symptom in dogs. The condition and the general condition of the quadruped are decisive, whether a veterinary surgeon should be visited or not.
In addition, diarrhea is divided into 2 categories – namely acute and chronic diarrhea. In short, acute means less than 24 hours. Chronic diarrhea lasting longer than two weeks. In addition, one must be able to distinguish whether the quadruped suffers from chronic diarrhea or from symptoms which cause alternating diarrhea and normal bowel movements in the dog.
Acute diarrhea
Typical for acute diarrhea is sudden appearance of the gastrointestinal disturbance, which, however, does not always require treatment. In addition, this usually lasts for about 1 to a maximum of 3 days and the dog has to do its business remarkably often. The feces in acute diarrhea show a mushy to watery consistency on. In some cases, the dog may present bloody diarrhea. The triggering causes can be divide into three groups:
– Due to ingested substances or foreign bodies
– Due to a Problems outside the gastrointestinal tract
– Due to a gastrointestinal disease
But also a too fast food change, administered medication or a parasite infestation can lead to acute diarrhea. In such situations, it is particularly important to keep a close eye on the dog and its further progress in order to necessary measures and precautions to be able to initiate the treatment in time.
Chronic diarrhea
When diarrhea in dogs over a longer period of time, about 14 days, persists or occurs again and again at short intervals, it is chronic diarrhea. The difficult part is to diagnose the cause, which is easier to find out in acute diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea can cause many different and complex reasons and he may have either in the occur in the small or large intestine. If the animal loses additional weight, this is a clear indication of a problem in the small intestine, as the Food largely undigested again excreted will. Likewise a larger excretion quantity indicates. A stool mixed with blood thereupon. If all this is not the case and the dog mucous diarrhea without food components If the dog excretes a large intestine disorder, this is probably the case. In any case, it is advisable to visit a veterinarian, which by special examinations to find the trigger can make. Examples are Food intolerances, stress, anxiety, nervousness or bacteria, which unbalance the intestinal flora. In addition, chronic diarrhea often requires a special food or appropriate intestinal preparations, to relieve the dog of its intestinal condition as quickly as possible.
Cause
Diarrhea is not a disease, but a symptom. the gastrointestinal tract is unable to form the feces. So it becomes mushy-watery due to water excretion.