It’s not an exactly wonderful experience but it does come with being a pet owner and that is cleaning up a messy, brown, stinky puddle of waste.
Sometimes, it’s natural, there could be changes in your dog’s meals that can result in a different poop texture, but there are also instances where this could be alarming.
What is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is loose stools in large amounts and occurs more often than usual. It’s not a disease but usually a symptom of different medical issues.
It is a minor condition and can be treated using simple cures, but it can also signify a serious illness such as organ system failure or cancer. If left untreated, diarrhea can escalate to a more serious medical concern.
A lot of dogs will experience diarrhea for different reasons.
Mild diarrhea is common and is often caused by mild intestinal distress. This could be due to your dog eating something their stomach doesn’t agree with, like table food scraps, or a new flavor or brand of food.
However, a lot of serious health issues in dogs have diarrhea as a sign so always keep a look out for this.
Causes of Diarrhea
Here are the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs.
- Eating spoiled food
- Stress and anxiety
- Change in diet
- Eating indigestible or foreign objects such as toys
- Ingesting toxins
- Medications
- Parasites
- Bacterial infections like salmonella
- Liver or kidney disease
If diarrhea is the main concern, then it can be a simple medical problem like intestinal infection from bacteria or intestinal worms. Diarrhea is also caused by dietary indiscretion, like when your Shiba Inu eats garbage or irritating objects.
Acute or sudden diarrhea is often caused by a change in diet, stress, or changes in the environment.
However, as mentioned, it can also be a sign of a more serious illness such as allergies, viral infection like the deadly parvovirus, and organ dysfunction,
Is Diarrhea in Dogs a Serious Problem?
Diarrhea’s seriousness depends on how long and how often it occurs, and if it’s accompanied by other clinical signs.
If your Shiba Inu is experiencing severe diarrhea and other signs of medical issues like weakness, fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite, bring him to the veterinarian because this might be a more serious and complicated medical issue.
For example, diarrhea is one of the first symptoms of parvovirus, a viral and fatal infection.
It is also considered serious if diarrhea has been persistent for a few days as this can cause dehydration.
If your dog has an existing medical condition and they are experiencing diarrhea, it is also best to take him to the vet for a check-up.
However, if it’s a single episode of diarrhea and your dog is acting normal, then it’s not an alarming matter.
How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs?
If diarrhea is persistent, it is best to consult your veterinarian. Remember to never give your dog human medications without checking in with your vet first. There are a lot of over-the-counter drugs that we think work well for dogs but are actually toxic.
If it’s a serious issue, your veterinarian will examine it to determine the cause of your dog’s diarrhea and will recommend the most effective treatment.
However, if diarrhea occurs once or twice, and you see your Shiba Inu healthy, active, and not showing any other general signs of illness, then there are home treatments that you can do.
A bland diet can help with diarrhea, such as plain white rice with a bit of chicken. Natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, and plain eggs can also help soothe your Shiba Inu’s upset stomach.
Once your dog is feeling better, you can slowly reintroduce their usual meals.
If your dog’s condition is not showing signs of improvement within two to four days, more tests are necessary as prolonged diarrhea can result in dehydration and metabolic disturbances due to fluid loss.
