Diagnosis

Our first priority is to determine how sick the dog has become as a result of the diarrhea. When the dog is systemically ill (i.e., more than one body system is involved), you may see vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, high fever, lethargy, and bloody and/or watery diarrhea.

Treatment

If diarrhea is associated with the above conditions, your vet may want to perform a series of tests, such as radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, blood tests, stool cultures, biopsies of the intestinal tract, and/or exploratory abdominal surgery. Once these tests identify the cause of the diarrhea, treatment can include special medications and/or diets, or surgery.

If your dog does not appear systemically ill from the diarrhea, it could be due to a stomach or intestinal virus, intestinal parasites, or dietary indiscretion (i.e., eating garbage or other inappropriate materials). A few quick tests can rule out parasites or infections, and treatment can begin. This may include medication to control the motility or relieve inflammation of the intestinal tract, and, often, several days on a special diet. These approaches enlist the body's own healing mechanisms to resolve the condition(s).

Prognosis

Improvement can be expected within 2-4 days. If this does not occur, call Valley View at (952) 432-9661 as additional tests or a different medication may be needed.