Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Puppies are subject to many viruses and illnesses, but as a dog grows up and gets regular shots, his immune system strengthens and certain diseases no longer affect him. Adult dogs suffering from severe diarrhea and respiratory problems may have canine distemper or several conditions causing these symptoms. As with any serious problems with your dog, check with your veterinarian to diagnose and properly treat your dog.
Giardiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection, is common in both humans and canines. At any given time, up to 10 percent of dogs in the United States are infected with this parasite. It is important to monitor your dog for symptoms of giardiasis as it can cause multiple health problems and is easily transmitted to other dogs.
Many things can be the cause of blood in your dog's stools. If your dog has been at the veterinarian's office recently it may have been infected with something from another dog. Generally anesthesia is used in order to perform some sort of surgical procedure. Your dog may be having a reaction to medications that were administered prior to or following the procedure. It may just be a coincidence that your dog has become ill after anesthesia. No matter what the circumstances are, if there is blood in your dog's stool you should get it to a vet immediately.
Just like humans, canines can develop intestinal problems such as diarrhea. And, just like in humans, there are many variables that can cause diarrhea. Remember that no one knows your dog like you do. If your pet has had diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours, or if he is exhibiting other symptoms such as vomiting, you should call your veterinarian.
Parvovirus or parvo is a disease that can affect all dogs, but most commonly occurs in puppies. Parvo is caused by a virus transmitted through oral contact with infected feces and can cause serious symptoms in dogs such as vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and even death. Veterinarians routinely vaccinate for parvovirus during the first few weeks of a dog's life. If a dog contracts the virus, seek medical treatment to be sure the dog makes a full recovery.
There are several different causes for chronic diarrhea in dogs. Chronic diarrhea can severely debilitate your dog as his body begins to loose important nutrients and eventually leads to the body’s inability to repair itself. Often if the chronic diarrhea is not a symptom of a known problem, it is an indication of other problems you can usually rectify, once you figure out the cause.
Girardiasis in dogs is the infection caused by an intestinal infestation of the giardia protozoa. This is a one-celled organism passed through animal feces. Giardia is naturally occurring wherever animal carriers are found. Giardia can be present outside and in water and is easily passed as animals or people ingest the protozoa in its cyst form. There is much about the protozoa that remains unknown by veterinarians and scientists.
A wide range of plants can cause diarrhea in dogs but that does not mean they will not induce other symptoms for the dogs that can include vomiting, depression, tremors, convulsions, shock, arrhythmias, and in some cases death. Many of the plants that can cause diarrhea are common plants that your dog may encounter.
Canine parvovirus is a dangerous and highly contagious viral infection that presents with diarrhea and vomiting and causes an attack on the dog's intestines. A second form of parvovirus, known as cardiac parvovirus, affects puppies 8 weeks old or younger, and directly attacks the heart, which quickly can cause unexpected death. Parvovirus is not contagious to people or other animals, but is highly contagious to other dogs.
There are several causes for diarrhea in dogs, but viruses are among the most serious. The immediate danger a dog faces with diarrhea is dehydration, which can cause death if not properly treated. Three major viruses cause diarrhea and are preventable through proper vaccinations and vaccine boosters.
Fresh blood in dog diarrhea, also known as hematochezia, is a sign of lower gastrointestinal disease but can have many other, less serious, potential causes. The causes include parvovirus, bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, diet and tumors, veterinarian Bari Spielman says. Diagnosing the cause of the dog's hematochezia is the first step in deciding on the correct treatment procedure.
From time to time your pets may experience constipation or diarrhea. These are common problems that can be stopped in many cases if the cause is identified. There are a variety of reasons why the conditions arise, and knowing some of the common factors involved may help you to treat your pet properly and get it back to health.
Much like humans, dogs can be affected by cancer of the bones, skin and organs. One of the earliest signs of cancer in a dog is loss of appetite. This will be followed by a dramatic loss in weight and a general disinterest in normal activities. The dog may also have a sore that will not heal, a strange lump or trouble voiding normally. Cancer in dogs can be treated with surgery, oral medications, chemotherapy and radiation.
Both parvovirus and coronavirus are highly contagious diseases that infect dogs of all ages, although puppies are by far the most vulnerable. The severity of both diseases can range from very mild to life-threatening.
Ensuring a long, happy life for your pet requires paying attention to its health. While causes of diarrhea may be easily remedied in dogs, it can also be a symptom of more serious medical conditions.
Piroxicam is a prescription medication available for your dog from your veterinarian. Despite its effectiveness at treating various types of cancer in dogs, piroxicam poses a risk for adverse reactions in some animals.
Noticing that your dog has bloody diarrhea can be alarming. However, bloody diarrhea does not always indicate a serious health problem. In fact visible blood in the stool is often less of a concern than "invisible" blood, which makes the stool turn black. There are many causes for bloody diarrhea. It should always be immediately checked by your vet, but it may not be serious.
While most people feed their dogs commercial dog food, they do feed table scraps, which is considered "people food." Some dog owners feed a cooked diet and some feed a raw diet. Both of these diets consist of "people food." While there is no scientific research that people food is better for dogs, the many who do feed people food find that the dogs are healthier and happier with the varied diet.
Stress does not only affect humans. It seems to affect pets as well. The effects of stress on the dog's body can vary; however, one of the most common effects is an abrupt bout of acute diarrhea.
Dogs can be afflicted with colitis, which is an inflammation of the colon. There are many causes of colitis; it can be viral or bacterial and can be diagnosed by your dog's veterinarian. Colitis can suggest other bigger health issues for your dog if left untreated.
For any dog to maintain optimal health it must adhere to a certain diet. Dogs' internal organs work differently, and they need different nutrients than humans to stay healthy. When they do not get the proper vitamins, mineral and nutrients they need, it often shows up as diarrhea. This can be solved easily by feeding your dog a brand of commercial dog food. Keep in mind your dog's age and breed when choosing the food.
Dogs can eat and enjoy a wide variety of foods. A high quality dog food will meet most dogs' specific nutritional needs. Dogs with allergies, lactose intolerance or health conditions unique to the breed will need some tweaking in their diets for optimal nutrition.
Diarrhea in dogs can be caused by a number of viruses, colitis or by eating people food. Discover how abrupt food changes can give a dog diarrhea with help from a staff veterinarian in this free video on dog health and pet care.
