Reasons for Diarrhea in Puppies

In adult dogs, diarrhea can be a symptom of a serious disease but may also be a sign he ate something from the garbage. In puppies, however diarrhea needs to be taken seriously and requires immediate attention from a veterinarian. Not only can the condition be a sign of illness but it can also cause dehydration in your puppy in less than 24 to 48 hours. Puppies may develop diarrhea for several reasons.

Intestinal Worms

Most puppies have worms in their intestines, which is why a good breeder is going to de-worm them before they go to their new homes. However, it's not uncommon for puppies to be re-infected with worms. There are a wide range of worms to be concerned with, including roundworms, hookworms, coccidia and giardia. The good news about worms is that the condition can be easily treated by your vet. Worms, which are really a type of parasite, can be a serious health problem because they cause the dog to be underweight.

Bacterial Infection

If you have purchased a dog that originated in a puppy mill or was kept in unsanitary conditions at the breeder's location, the puppy's diarrhea may be a sign of a bacterial infection. Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria can infect the puppy if he is frequently in contact with the fecal matter of other dogs, which is often the case in these unhygienic kennels. Without proper treatment, bacterial infections can be very serious for your puppy.

Distemper

Puppies can also contract a number of very dangerous viruses that can cause diarrhea as one of their symptoms. Distemper is one of those viruses. Puppies under 6 months old are most likely to catch distemper, probably because their immune systems are less developed. Vaccinations are routinely given to protect animals from this virus, but the puppies are usually too young to have received the full series of necessary shots. Besides diarrhea, the condition can also cause coughing, vomiting and eye discharge. About three-fourths of all dogs who contract distemper will die without treatment.

Coronavirus

This is another dangerous virus that can cause diarrhea in puppies. The disease is passed between dogs through contact with an infected dog's feces. Because the virus has been around for a long time, many adult dogs who contract the virus will experience no symptoms or will have only a mild case. Puppies under 12 weeks of age are more likely to suffer from diarrhea but this usually goes away after four days. However, dehydration from the diarrhea is still a risk.

Paravovirus

One of the most serious and common viral diseases in puppies, Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) usually causes bloody diarrhea, as well as other symptoms, such as loss of appetite. The virus is spread in many ways so only vaccinations have been effective at preventing its spread. Puppies are most at risk and treatment is not always going to successfully rid the sick puppy of the virus. Starting an early vaccination program is the best way to protect your puppy.