If your dog's poop seems soft and loose, it may just be an indication of a change in diet, or it may mean your dog has been eating things they shouldn't be eating. If you've changed your dog's diet recently, monitor changes in poop. You may have to alter the diet if it doesn't improve.
Note that the occasional soft or loose stool can be perfectly normal. However, any time a dog is having multiple soft or loose stools, any time a dog is having watery stools, or any “increased softness” of stools that persists for more than a couple of days definitely warrants veterinary evaluation.
Loose stools can mean your dog's food isn't being absorbed in his GI tract, which could point to a food allergy or intolerance, says Huggins. Diarrhea can also indicate that your dog has a serious infection (like a parasite, a bacterial infection, or inflammatory bowel disease).
Diarrhea in dogs can occur suddenly and last as long as a day or two up to a few weeks or months. If your dog's diarrhea persists for more than a day, dehydration can be a concern. Diarrhea that lasts longer can be an indication that your dog has an underlying health issue.
Shades that may be problematic include orange/yellow (possibly caused by biliary or liver problem), green (possibly caused by a gall bladder issue or eating grass), or gray or greasy (possibly caused by a pancreas or biliary problem).
Symptoms of Stress Colitis in Dogs
Soft and loose stool. A change in stool color. Stool with bright specks of blood. Increased pooping.
Signs of digestive system disease can include excessive drooling, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or regurgitation, loss of appetite, bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating, straining to defecate, shock, and dehydration.
unhealthy based on color. Brown: A healthy pup's bowel movements should be chocolate brown in color. Green: Green stool could indicate that your dog is eating grass, perhaps to soothe an upset stomach. Black or maroon: This could be a sign of bleeding in the stomach or the small intestines.
Watery stool may signify stress, or be a warning sign of a viral infection like parvovirus, or a parasitic infection. Such stool can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in puppies, and needs immediate veterinary attention. Soft stool with mucus is another indicator of parasites or the parvovirus.
Most dog owners report seeing frequent, small volumes of semi-formed to liquid feces. Many dogs will exhibit straining during and after defecation, and small amounts of bright red blood will often be passed near the end of defecation. Mucus or fat is seen in many cases of chronic colitis.
If your dog has diarrhea but is acting fine and isn't displaying any other symptoms, the issue is contained in the GI. This means it's more than likely that your dog ate something that isn't agreeing with them or has a parasite infection.
Abdominal pain: An obstruction can press on the intestines, which can be very painful and even cause intestinal rupture or inflammation of the abdomen (peritonitis). Weakness/lethargy: This can be caused by dehydration and/or an electrolyte imbalance as well as by pain.
What are the signs or symptoms of IBD in cats and dogs? Common signs include chronic (typically >4 weeks duration) vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, weight loss, flatulence or a rumbly tummy/abdominal discomfort.
Small intestinal diarrhea results in a larger amount of stool passed with a mild increase in frequency, or about 3 to 5 bowel movements per day. The pet doesn't strain or have difficulty passing stool. Animals with small intestinal disease may also vomit and lose weight.
Diarrhea in dogs can last anywhere from 24-48 hours and will often resolve on its own. But if diarrhea persists and is accompanied by other symptoms, seek help from a vet. Diarrhea can be a result of a serious health condition, so it's always a good idea to take them to the vet to figure out what's causing it.
You'll also want to have your dog examined by a veterinarian if diarrhea lasts for more than two days or if he or she has other symptoms along with the diarrhea. Dehydration and a host of other complications associated with diarrhea can occur quickly.
Your veterinarian may recommend the oral administration of an intestinal protectant such as kaolin clay and pectin (KaoPectate™) or a suspension containing bismuth subsalicylate (PeptoBismol™).
Some factors that may contribute to IBD include food allergies, an abnormal immune system, bacteria, parasites, and genetics. It can be challenging for vets to determine the underlying cause of IBD in a specific animal, so future care may be based on how your pup responds to various treatments.
Supplementing the diet with fiber improves diarrhea in many animals. However, the addition of fiber alone will not usually resolve signs of large-intestinal diarrhea in dogs. To help the inflammation resolve more rapidly, your veterinarian may add anti-inflammatory medication to the change in diet.
Antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl), may be prescribed for their anti-inflammatory effect on the GI tract. Probiotic supplements may also be recommended to help restore the balance of the normal bacteria found in the GI tract.
Blockages cause a number of complications, including preventing food and water from passing through his GI tract and decreasing their blood flow. Your dog can even die from an intestinal blockage within 3-7 days. Blockages can occur anywhere along the digestive tract.
What are common dog constipation symptoms? Signs of constipation include straining, crying, or crouching when attempting to defecate. Also, if it's been more than two days since he has had a bowel movement, you should see your vet immediately.