When is dog diarrhoea an emergency?
Introduction
If your dog has diarrhoea, it can be very worrying. But as well as being unpleasant for your pooch, it's important to know that diarrhoea can also be a sign of something more serious. This article looks at whether or not you should be worried about dog diarrhoea and what to do about it if your dog does have the runs.
Diarrhoea can be a worrying sign that something is wrong with your dog, but sometimes it can just be a minor upset.
Diarrhoea can be a worrying sign that something is wrong with your dog, but sometimes it can just be a minor upset.
The best thing to do is check in with your vet or local pet hospital as quickly as possible to get an accurate assessment of the situation. They will be able to tell you if the diarrhoea is really an emergency or not, and they'll be able to give you tips on how to manage it at home.
Sometimes, diarrhoea is just mild and short-term, and will pass in a day or two without treatment.
Sometimes, diarrhoea is just mild and short-term, and will pass in a day or two without treatment. If your dog's diarrhoea lasts for more than 48 hours, it's time to take him to the vet.
Diarrhoea can be caused by many things:
- A food allergy
- A stomach bug that has passed through his system (canine parvovirus or coronavirus)
- A parasite such as roundworms or hookworms
If diarrhoea lasts more than 48 hours, the cause may be more serious.
If your dog's diarrhoea lasts more than 48 hours, the cause may be more serious. Diarrhoea can be a sign of many different health problems, including:
- A serious illness
- An illness that is not very serious
Diarrhoea can also be a sign of an even less serious condition such as:
Your dog’s age will affect how worried you should be if they have diarrhoea.
If your dog has diarrhoea, it's important to know how old they are. Older dogs are more likely to have a more serious cause for their diarrhoea and will require a different treatment plan than young dogs. Younger dogs are also more likely to experience frequent and long-lasting bouts of diarrhoea, which means that you'll need to pay close attention when caring for them.
Your vet may need to run some tests to find the cause of your dog’s diarrhoea.
Your vet may need to run some tests to find the cause of your dog’s diarrhoea. These tests can help your vet diagnose the problem and determine a course of treatment. However, they are expensive and invasive, which means they may not be worth it if you have a low-cost option for treating your dog at home.
- Tests can be expensive
- Tests may cause stress or pain for your dog
- Some tests are dangerous
Sometimes your dog’s appetite and bowel movements will return to normal on their own, but other times they will need prescription medication or even hospitalisation.
If your dog is showing signs of illness and has diarrhoea for more than 48 hours, you should visit your vet. If your dog is dehydrated and has no appetite, this can be a serious situation so it’s best to get them checked out by an expert. If you notice that there is blood in their stool or if they are having difficulty defecating, this could also be a sign of something more serious like colitis or cancer.
When in doubt, call your vet for advice.
If you’re uncertain about your dog’s symptoms, or if you have any concerns at all, call the vet. If your pet is acting strangely and has diarrhoea, it’s better to be safe than sorry: The last thing you want is for your dog to be ill without realising it.
Conclusion
If your dog is having diarrhoea, it’s always best to seek advice from your vet. Your vet can help you determine whether or not this is an emergency and what action needs to be taken. They may need to run some tests on your dog, which usually takes a few days, but then they’ll let you know what the best course of treatment will be.
