Can Stress Cause Diarrhea In Dogs

Has He Caught A Stomach Bug From Kennels

Although very rare, there is an outside chance that your dog may have picked up some sort of stomach bug from kennels. Just like in child daycare, a kennel may harbor bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. Not all vaccinations as 100% effective and while any good boarding service in Kerrville, TX will ensure all animals admitted are up to date with their preventative care and have stringent cleaning protocols, it is impossible to keep any premises 100% free from germs. Nevertheless, every effort is made to minimize the risk to animals, and cases of illness as a result of boarding are very unusual.

If your dog has returned from boarding with diarrhea and you are concerned about his wellbeing, dont hesitate in making an appointment with one of our experienced veterinarians in Kerrville, TX. Please call Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic at 896-6507 today to schedule his visit or learn more about our boarding facility.

March 6, 2019

Puppy Has Diarrhea But Still Playful: What Should You Do

Diarrhea isnt a disease but a symptom of another illness. A severe medical condition would cause your puppy to show other signs along with watery poop. But if your pup has the runs and looks otherwise normal, they may just be having a mild stomach upset.

Mild diarrhea is relatively common among pups and can be treated at home. However, underestimating puppy diarrhea can be a grave mistake. Suffice to say, when it comes to puppies, things can escalate quickly.

Create A Doggy Safe Place

When scared, its a dog instinct to hide.

So if your pooch runs away from you and looks for places where they can conceal themselves, dont stop them.

It would be nice if you provide them a safe place beforehand.

This could be a:

• Indoor kennel enclosed and with a comfy interior.
• Crate with a heavy blanket over it to create a den-like space.
• with their bed inside and all openings and curtains shut.

What should you place in them?

• Soft blankets.
• Their favorite toys.
• Your old shirt or laundry.

Leave them with these so theyll be cozy while inside. And to keep them busy and entertained.

Note: Wait for them to settle down and come out by themselves.

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They Could Also Activate A Startle Reaction

All animals have a quick reflex as a survival instinct.

Its a natural response of both their mind and body to protect themselves against a threat. And this is why giving dogs a shock would be a terrible idea.

But we, humans, have it too. In fact, babies have it at birth. And itll fade as they grow and develop until 6 months old.

This is called moro reflex. It helps them to guard themselves from danger in their first days.

And this explains the random jabs, twitches, and grasps.

Well, going back to Fidos.

You might ask, What are the things that activate this reaction in them?

It can set right off when something unexpected happens. Say, when theyre suddenly touched while sleeping.

So better keep your hands off of them while theyre resting. As they can do things involuntarily like snapping or biting.

And in this case, sudden blasts and blinding lights could trigger this.

Theyre a bolt from the blue as those things happen without notice. Plus, they cant get used to them unless theyre trained.

So some dogs jerk their heads and bark as soon as they hear an explosion. While others instantly run away and hide.

Do Dogs Feel Pain When In Heat

However, since the female dog heat cycle bears symptoms comparable to a womans menstrual cycle in many ways, it is possible to conclude that during your dogs heat cycle she is uncomfortable and maybe even experiences cramping and mild amounts of pain. Any of these issues can lead to vocalizations in our female dogs.

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Stress Can Cause Inappropriate Urination

If your dog is suddenly urinating inside the house or your cat is not using the litter box, these could be signs of stress. For dogs and cats both, stressors can lead to regression on training-they literally forget their potty training in times of stress because theyre focused on what is making them anxious, says Trimble. For cats, stress can cause something called FIC-feline idiopathic cystitis-which basically means bladder inflammation inflammation in the bladder causes the need to go more frequently, and often will result in urinating in inappropriate places.

Other Causes Of Bloody Diarrhea

Stress isnt the only cause of bloody diarrhea. Dogs may also experience a bloody stool episode due to the following factors and conditions.

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis HGE can cause dogs to have severe cases of vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Unfortunately, the causes of this disorder is not fully known but it tends to be more common with young adult dogs and smaller dog breeds like toy poodles and miniature schnauzers.

Dogs that suffer from HGE must be treated as soon as possible as this condition can be fatal if left untreated. Vets will be able to diagnose the condition by examining a sample of the dogs stool.

Intestinal ParasitesThe presence of parasites like whipworms and tapeworms may also cause dogs to have an episode of bloody diarrhea. These parasites will embed themselves into the intestinal walls and suck out blood. A large population of adult worms in the large intestines can cause abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Foreign FoodDogs can also get bloody stools if they eat something they shouldnt. For example, a dog that accidentally eats a non-food item like clothing can develop diarrhea due to the trauma the item causes on the gastrointestinal tract.

Some of these items, especially if they are sharp, may pierce the lining of the intestines or the rectum, which causes blood to get mixed into the stool. Its important to visit a vet immediately if you think your dog consumed a foreign object.

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Something Your Dog Ate

In any case of digestive upset, it makes sense to look first at what your dog has been eating. A sudden change in your dogs diet can cause diarrhea. A food sensitivity or allergy is another possibility.

Dogs also have a well-known fondness for eating things that dont belong to their intended diet. Dogs are scavengers, so its not unusual for them to consume prizes that can lead to digestive upset. Diarrhea is an adaptation that helps scavenging animals get rid of the toxins and pathogens such material can contain. Getting into the human snacks or snarfing down a dead squirrelmore politely called a dietary indiscretionis a very common cause of acute diarrhea in dogs.

In many of these cases, the diarrhea will resolve itself in a day or two, but if you believe your dog has eaten something poisonous , see your veterinarian immediately.

Also go straight to the veterinarian if you think your dog has ingested a toy or any other object. Such foreign bodies are another possible cause of diarrhea. Materials that your dogs body cant digest have the potential to create a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, interfering with the motility of the digestive system. As a result, the tissues near the obstruction may stretch and become inflamed, allowing liquid stool to seep around the blockage.

How Is Colitis Diagnosed

The diagnosis of colitis is based on your pet’s clinical signs and history, microscopic evaluation of the feces, rectal examination, cytology, and blood tests. Additional testing such as radiographs to examine the colon and intestinal tract, colonoscopy and colon biopsies, fecal cultures, barium enemas, or ultrasound evaluation of the abdomen may be necessary in some cases. These tests are important to rule out conditions such as colonic tumors or polyps, irritable bowel syndrome, cecal inversion, and ileocecocolic intussusception .

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Ask The Vet: What Is Stress

Stress-induced colitis in dogs is a condition that may go from being annoying to even necessitating veterinary attention in the worst case scenario. Here’s the thing: stress can sure play a number on dogs and one of the most vulnerable organs is the digestive tract. If your dog develops diarrhea after being boarded or when going to a dog show, suspect the role of stress, after having ruled out other possibilities such as abrupt dietary changes or eating something from the trash. In this article, veterinarian Dr. Ivana Crnec explains colitis in dogs caused by stress and how it impacts dogs.

What is Stress-Induced Colitis in Dogs?

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon and it is the cause of over half of all cases of chronic diarrhea in dogs.

In the past, it was postulated, but today it is well-established that dogs can suffer from stress-induced acute diarrhea, sometimes popularly referred to as nervous colitis, spastic colitis or irritable bowel syndrome.

The stress-induced colitis is classified as a motility disorder in which the intestinal muscle action is triggered and affected by anxiety.

Usually, when a dog shows signs of colitis the first things that come to mind are dietary indiscretions , bacterial and viral infections, parasitic infestations and food-related allergies and intolerances.

What To Feed A Dog With Diarrhea

If your dog experiences diarrhea frequently, they may have dietary sensitivities that should be examined by your veterinarian. In addition to a canine probiotic, many veterinarians prescribe a highly digestible prescription dog food formula. Ask your veterinarian about Purina® ProPlan® Veterinary Diets.

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Stress Can Affect Appetite

Short-term stress can change your pets interest in food, according to Jackie Maffucci, a PHD neuroscientist and animal behavior consultant at Positive Dog Solutions. Chemicals such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are released, which causes an increase in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure-your acute stress response, says Maffucci. When all of this is happening the functions in the body affected by the parasympathetic nervous system, such as appetite, are depressed.

For long-term stress, however, the exact opposite might be true. Chronic but milder stress can cause an increase in appetite-cats especially like to stress-eat, according to Trimble.

How Serious Is Diarrhea In Dogs

The seriousness of diarrhea depends on how long the diarrhea has persisted and how many other signs accompany the diarrhea. If your dog has severe bloody diarrhea, or is showing more generalized signs of illness such as weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite, or if dehydration accompanies the diarrhea, the cause may be more serious. For example, diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illness in susceptible dogs.

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Life Skills For Pets: Crate Training And Confinement For Puppies And Dogs

Crate training is useful in many situations, such as providing a safe place when home alone or unsupervised which prevents housetraining mistakes, a safe place to sleep undisturbed, to travel by car or airplane, for medical care and visits to the veterinarian, and for boarding or vacation camp. Starting while your pet is young makes training easier, but most pets can be trained. If your pet shows signs of distress while using the training methods provided in this handout consult with your veterinarian.

Stressful Events For Dogs

It becomes increasingly obvious that stress is the primary cause of the bloody diarrhea when it happens at the same time as a life-changing event. For dogs, this may include a change in environment such as when you move to a new house, or when they are introduced to a handful of new dogs and humans.

Fortunately, in situations like this, the diarrhea episode is often short-lived and you should see an improvement in your dogs stool within a day or two. If, however, your dog continues to have bloody diarrhea after 24 hours and they start to act lethargic at any point then you should seek a vet immediately.

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Puppy Has Diarrhea But Still Playful: What Can You Do At Home

As soon as you notice your pup going potty more often than usual, you should be on high alert. Observe the poops color and consistency as best as you can. Check for other symptoms like lethargy, high temperature, and signs of pain.

No matter how mild the symptoms look, its best to get your vets opinion. A simple call detailing your puppys condition will let the vet give you the best course of action. Try collecting a sample of the pups poop and take it to the vet. That will enable the vet to diagnose the underlying cause more accurately.

If your vet deems hospitalization unnecessary, you can start treating your pup at home. Many dog owners suggest that puppies suffering from diarrhea should be fasted for at least 12 hours to give their digestive system a rest. While it is an effective treatment for adult dogs, its not recommended for puppies. Instead, here are eight better ways to get rid of diarrhea in puppies.

When Crate Training Causes Diarrhea

If you do not get your dog used to being in a crate slowly and carefully, he is likely to be scared and stressed. You should never simply shove your dog into a crate, close the door and leave. This could cause him extreme stress and subsequent diarrhea.

Your crate should have the right size for your dog. Do not pick a crate that is too small if your dog cannot move comfortably this will also increase the amount of stress and anxiety he feels while crated.

If you notice that your dog is crying for prolonged periods of time, check on him. Crying is a sign of distress and if you do not take it seriously, your dog could become more and more worked up. This anxiety will again lead to loose stools .

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Ease Into New Routine And Foods

Stress from a sudden change in routine or a new diet can mess with your pups digestion. Treat your puppy with love and care and keep their schedule regular when they arrive at your house.

When introducing a new diet, start with a small amount and increase the proportion bit-by-bit instead of making an abrupt switch.

The Most Common Causes Of Diarrhea In Dogs

Whether its whining to go out in the middle of the night or waking up to a soiled rug, diarrhea isnt a fun experience for you or your dog. If youre hoping to reduce the frequency of your dogs stomach troubles or just wanting to avoid them altogether, identifying the cause of your dogs upset stomach is the first step you need to take.

Diarrhea occurs when food material moves too fast through the digestive tract resulting in reduced water absorption. This can be the result of anything from toxins in the system to emotional upset.

To find out whats causing your dogs gut to work too fast for its own good, lets look at the most common reasons diarrhea occurs in dogs.

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Viral And Bacterial Infections

Similar to parasites, bacterial and viral infections can attack your dogs gut and cause an upset stomach. Depending on the type of infection, your dog may be able to get over it on their own or they may need treatment by a vet.

Coronavirus is a very common viral infection in dogs that causes liquid, yellow-orange diarrhea as well as vomiting, lethargy, and, occasionally, fever. Most adult dogs wont show any symptoms at all and those that do usually get over them in a few days. Puppies, especially those already infected with other pathogens are most at risk for complications from this virus.

Rotavirus is another common virus that can cause loose stools in dogs. As with other common gut viruses, healthy adult dogs are unlikely to be affected. Young and stressed dogs will experience watery diarrhea and possible dehydration.

Puppies may be more severely affected by bacteria and viruses due to their immature immune systems.

Bacterial infections such as Campylobacter and Helicobacter are also common in dogs and can cause diarrhea in those with stressed immune systems. Most dogs also carry the salmonella bacteria in their gut but only those who are stressed or ill will show symptoms of infection.

If you suspect a viral or bacterial infection is the cause of your dogs upset stomach and they are also exhibiting other symptoms, it is best to get them to a vet right away.

Underlying Illness Or Disease

Occasionally, diarrhea is a symptom of a much larger problem that needs to be addressed.

If your dog suffers from chronic diarrhea that diet changes have not affected, there may be an underlying gut issue such as inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, pancreatitis, or Addisons disease. Special diets and sometimes medication may be needed to reduce the frequency of loose stools.

Dogs who show symptoms in addition to loose stools may be suffering from a more serious illness like cancer or digestive disorders.

Loose stool can also be a sign of cancer, especially in the kidneys, liver, and bowel. If diarrhea comes on suddenly and isnt affected by changes in diet or over-the-counter medications, your vet may want to run blood work.

If your dogs upset stomach is accompanied by dark blood in the stool, weight loss, or lethargy, it is best to bring them to the vet to be checked for underlying diseases.

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Causes Of Diarrhea In Dog

There are several causes of diarrhea. One is dietary indiscretion, which is eating something the dog shouldnt eat, like chocolate or grapes. Other causes include stress induced , chocolate toxicity, overeatingespecially in puppiesand overfeeding with fat. Pancreatitis can also be caused by inflammatory diseases others are Neoplasia: lymphosarcoma, focal neoplasia, Metabolic, Trauma, Infectious, Autoimmune.

High-sugar and salt treats can cause diarrhea in dogs. This may occur because the food is being digested too quickly, pulling water into the gastrointestinal tract as it is digested. In addition, dogs are unable to digest large amounts of fat or excessive amounts of fat that are not what they normally eat.

Pancreatitis can be a serious condition in dogs. This disease causes vomiting and diarrhea, among other symptoms. In severe cases, pancreatitis can potentially even be fatal. Vomit that contains blood will look dark red to black. Unlike blood in the stool, any amount of blood in vomit should warrant a vet visit, as it is an indicator for pancreatitis