Overview of Canine Diarrhea

Just like their human owners, dogs can experience bouts of diarrhea.  As with humans, various factors can lead to canine diarrhea.  Cases of diarrhea can range from mild, with only a few episodes to a chronic problem that may be the sign of a more serious underlying cause. 

Some of the more commonly seen causes include dietary changes, stress, parasites, viral infections, ingestion of a foreign object or ingestion of a toxin.  Ingesting garbage can be added to the list of more commonly diagnosed causes of canine diarrhea.

Other more serious causes of canine diarrhea occur as a result of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or in some cases; organ failure.

Although most incidents of diarrhea will last only a few days, acute cases can last for a much longer period of time.  If diarrhea symptoms persist for more than a few days, a veterinarian should be consulted.  Untreated diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and if more serious conditions are present, progression will not be halted without treatment.