Diarrhoea in the Canine

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is defined as an abnormal increase in the frequency, fluidity and volume of faeces due to an excessive faecal water content.

How the disease works in the body

Diarrhoea occurs due to changes in the cycle of fluid absorption and secretion across the intestinal wall between the bowel lining and the systemic system. Movement of fluid, nutrients and chemicals across the intestinal wall can be by osmosis (passive) and active with chemical pathways, vitamins, bacteria and energy all being involved. The system is complex and the break down of any one component may lead to diarrhoea.

Owner's assessment

The importance of the owner's assessment is to determine the importance of the symptom and whether it warrants professional help by visiting the veterinarian or whether home care and nursing will suffice. The following symptoms should be noted?

Frequency of diarrhoea? How many times per day?

How long has your dog had diarrhoea for?

Are there secondary symptoms such as vomiting, temperature rise, straining?

Does your dog appear bright, collapsed?

Is there blood or mucus in the diarrhoea?

What colour is the diarrhoea; brown, yellow, green?

Unfortunately only experience, common sense and professional knowledge can give you all the answers but the general rule is that if the diarrhoea is only occasional, of recent duration and if your dog is reasonably bright, then probably there is not too much to worry about and, vice versa.

Causes

There are too many causes of diarrhoea to list here. However the article will look at a few of the more interesting causes and solutions.

Parasitism

This is divided into Roundworm and Tapeworm categories. Both parasite types are likely to cause diarhoea and other gastrointestinal upsets. If you have not wormed your dog in the past 3 months it may be worth doing so with Endorid and Droncit. See Roundworms and Tapeworms

Infections

Infections of the upper intestines can be caused by a wide range of pathogens (disease causing micro-organisms.) These can range from bacterial infections which may infect ourselves (zoonosis) such as Salmonella and Campylobacter (use gloved hands and antiseptic solutions when handling and cleaning vomit and diarrhoea) to acute viral infections such as Parvovirus (Keep your dog vaccinated at all times) to the occasional yeast overgrowth. Parasites as mentioned above as well as the protozoal parasite, Giardia can cause diarrhoea. In most cases your dog will present the symptoms of brown, fluid, diarrhoea. There may be an increased body temperature and in some diseases, vomiting. If your dog is reasonably well and showing just diarrhoea, home nursing may be all that is required (see below). If there is bleeding in the stomach or upper small intestine (possible ulceration) the faeces may well have a black, tar like consistency. Serious symptoms warrant veterinary attention.

Infection of the lower colon may manifest in a slightly different way. Mucoid diarrhoea, often associated with straining or the sudden requirement to pass faeces and sometimes with red blood streaking is suggestive of colitis. Colitis can be caused by parasites (Hookworm), bacteria, allergies, diet, changes in bowel bacteria and environmental changes / stress are all incriminated in causing colitis.

Dietary

Dietary problems are a common cause of diarrhoea whether they are primary (over eating, gorging, too rich, too fatty food) or secondary to some other cause of diarrhoea (such as an infection). If your dog has a delicate stomach we would suggest a low fat, easily digested, medium protein diet fed in several small portions over the day. For upper intestinal disease causing a brown fluid diarrhoea Hills Canine i/d is very effective. However other intestinal conditions may warrant different dietary approaches. If a dietary allergy is suspected then you will require a unique protein, gluten free, anti-allergenic diet such as Hills Canine d/d If colitis is present we would advise an increased fibre diet such as Hills Canine w/d Certain metabolic diseases, such as liver disease, may have one of their presenting symptoms, diarrhoea. Treatment of the primary disease (a hepatic support diet) such as Hills Canine l/d is more important than treating the diarrhoea, symptomatically. Your vet will advise.

Metabolic diseases

Kidney disease, liver disease, sepsis, changes in mineral balance can all lead to vomiting. They usually present with other symptoms as well and will need veterinary attention.

Poisons

It depends on the type of poison. If known consult your veterinarian.

Treatment for diarrhoea

Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. If your dog is reasonably bright, not passing large amounts of blood and not exhibiting any other major symptoms, then home nursing may be all that is required.

Starve for 24 hours
Keep a close watch on the motion for 3 days to evaluate faeces and prevent scavenging.
Remove water and offer Lectade solution to prevent dehydration. In the first 24 hours this should be given at the rate of 8-30mls every half hour by mouth (depending on the size of the dog eg. 8mls for a small terrier 30mls for a German Shepherd). This can be continued as per the directions for a further 3 days. However, if dehydration is severe, especially if there is concurrent vomiting or the dog is collapsed, you should consult your veterinarian at once.
A bowel regulator substance such as Peridale will help ease motility, absorb fluid and produce a formed motions. This should be started at the beginning of treatment. At the same time we would try and re-establish normal bowel bacterial flora using a probiotic such as Protexin
Change to a low fat, low fibre, medium protein diet such as Hills Canine i/d for a minimum of three days (feed 4 small feeds daily).
For intermittent or chronic diarrhoea, permanent use of one of the diets mentioned above may help. Some dogs may benefit from long term use of bowel regulators and anti-flatulent agents such as Peridale and BCK Granules.
Worm your dog with tapeworm Droncit and roundworm tablets Endorid.

We would advise you to keep several sachets of Lectade in your dog's 'First Aid Kit' at all times.