![]() When in doubt, contact your veterinarian for guidance on whether your puppy’s case is routine or if it requires urgent attention. Diarrhea in combination with lethargy, poor appetite, or vomiting can point to something more alarming and owners in these cases should not wait to contact a veterinarian. Is the puppy alert? Are they eating? Is there vomiting as well? Is there blood in the diarrhea. Loose or watery stool might be a relatively benign response to everyday stressors, a reaction to something your dog ate, or signs of a potentially deadly condition.ĭiarrhea on rare occasions is not necessarily alarming, but it’s important to note that diarrhea should be assessed with the puppy’s overall general health. One of the reasons diarrhea can be so stressful for puppy owners is the sheer number of potential causes. Three Common Causes of Diarrhea in Puppies When a puppy comes down with diarrhea, it can mean juggling both jobs at once. For puppy owners in particular, providing daily care often means cleaning up messes and occasionally dealing with health emergencies. However, anyone who’s ever cared for a four-legged bundle of joy can tell you that it’s not always a walk in the dog park. Pay attention to warning signs that could merit a call to your doctor and be sure to support your body with adequate hydration and nourishing foods.There’s much to celebrate when welcoming home a new puppy. When to See Your DoctorĪs with any bout of diarrhea, see your doctor if your loose stools become chronic (more than three days in a row), or if you have a high-grade fever, black, tarry or bloody stools, signs of dehydration, or painful symptoms that persist.ĭiarrhea and loose stools are similar, but diarrhea occurs more frequently (three times per day or more) than loose stools. Practicing good self-care, like ensuring you get enough rest, drink plenty of water, feed your body nourishing foods and spend some time being active, can help to alleviate stress that may cause loose stools.įinally, staying hydrated is critical when experiencing loose stools or diarrhea, so be sure to get in plenty of water, natural (no sugar added) coconut water, and broths. While problem foods are different for everyone, common culprits include foods with large amounts of sugar and excessively spicy and fatty foods. One of the easiest ways to prevent loose stools is to avoid foods you are allergic to or foods that seem to be problematic for you. These are serious medical conditions, so if you suspect an underlying problem is causing your loose stools, check in with your doctor ASAP. GI ConditionĬhronic loose stools could be caused by irritable bowel syndrome or disease (IBS or IBD), Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Antibiotics can cause loose stools, as can laxatives and magnesium supplements. If you’ve started a new medication or supplement and are experiencing loose stools, check in with your doctor to see if this might be the cause. Research shows that some people particularly prone to anxiety and depression might experience chronic loose stools and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. When we have high levels of stress, we experience a spike in blood pressure and dehydration, both of which release potassium and water into the intestinal tract, leading to loose stools. Stress has a profound effect on our digestive function. Spicy foods, overly fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeine can also cause loose stools in some people. Some of the most common reasons include: Foods You AteĮating foods that don’t agree with you, or to which you have an allergy or intolerance (especially lactose intolerance) can often cause looser than normal stools. Loose stools can happen for a myriad of reasons. Diarrhea is more commonly accompanied by fever. Three or more loose stools per day is considered to be diarrhea, whereas less is not.īoth loose stools and diarrhea can be accompanied by symptoms of pain, cramping, and other GI discomfort. While it can be hard to distinguish between the two, the main determinant is how many loose stools you have in a day. What’s the Difference Between Diarrhea and Loose Stools? It is normal for everyone to have loose stools sometimes, and they are usually nothing to worry about unless they occur frequently. Their odor may or may not be foul, and their shapes can differ. Loose stools are exactly what the name suggests: a bowel movement that contains more water and is, therefore, softer or “looser” than normal stool. In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion and offer a few strategies to discern the two and know when there is cause for concern. ![]() ![]() It’s easy to confuse diarrhea with loose stools, but important to understand the difference, as one can be more dangerous than the other.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |