Puppy Diarrhea - Should I Panic?

As a new puppy owner you are likely going to spend a lot of time running after your puppy to make sure he or she is not getting into something he shouldn’t. And the rest of the time you are going to be finding hidden chewed up objects. You need to be prepared for puppy diarrhea, chewed up shoes, books, chairs and pretty much anything within reach of your puppy’s mouth!

Puppy diarrhea is a common occurrence for several reasons. For example:

- new surroundings = stress which means your puppy might have diarrhea as a result
- change in food
- change in feeding times can also cause runny bowel movements
- eating something that was not meant for consumption
- consuming something toxic (plants, chemicals, chemically treated items etc. )
- internal parasites
- diseases

When do you panic? Many new owners will panic at the first sign of diarrhea but in general there is no need to panic unless you notice other symptoms with the diarrhea. Here are some things to look for with your new puppy if he has runny bowel movements:

- blood in the stool
- consistency (very water)
- lethargy
- dehydration
- cloudy or unfocused eyes
- lack of coordination
- mucus within the stool

These symptoms all should raise concern and have you on the phone with your veterinarian. Puppies are prone to disease, ingesting toxins and parasites which can often lead to death if the pup goes untreated or treatment is delayed. Here are the first thing you should do when you notice runny bowel movements with your new pup:

- try to figure out the cause (eating garbage, plants, chemicals, stress, change in diet etc.)

-once you figure out the cause, you need to eliminate it

- if you can not determine the cause, contact your vet after 24 hours if diarrhea is the only symptom.

- keep track of the amount of water your pup is drinking to ensure he stays hydrated.

- if you notice any other symptoms along with the diarrhea you should bring your pup to the vet for medical attention and treatment.

Puppy diarrhea is common but it is also a symptom of some of the most deadly diseases in puppies. Generally speaking, if the diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your pup is dehydrated you should contact your veterinarian. You should also keep track of the food and other items your dog has been eating.