Diarrhea
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Diarrhea is probably the number one problem with puppies that leave rescue. Even
puppies that have perfectly normal stool here in rescue can develop diarrhea once
going to their new home. Most of the time, it is not a cause for major concern (like
parvo). Even though we disinfect everything regularly, it is virtually impossible for us
to get every single cootie that is out there because many can give off false negative
test results and some symptoms are stress induced which means they will not start
until the stress of going to a new home. Here are the most common causes:
STRESS: It is very stressful for a dog or puppy to go to a new home. Their lives
have already been turned upside down, often times more than once. They have just
started to settle into their new lives here at rescue and then everything gets turned
upside down again going to their permanent home. Every dog adjusts at their own
pace and some are quicker than others. While some dogs and puppies just seem to
jump right in to their new homes and routines, others get upset tummies and develop
diarrhea. Please be patient with them. Some dogs may not feel like eating for a few
days when they are stressed with upset tummies and this is okay as long as they are
continuing to drink. Dehydration is the biggest worry with any diarrhea so please be
sure your dog is drinking, even if he/she doesn’t feel like eating. A hamburger/rice
diet for a few days is helpful for upset tummies and diarrhea as well as plain or vanilla
yogurt.
CHANGE OF FOOD: Changing a dog’s food can also cause diarrhea. Your dog or
puppy has been fed either an Iams or Eukanuba diet here in rescue. While it is not a
problem changing their food to whatever brand you prefer, we do recommend waiting
a week or two before doing so and then mix the two foods together for awhile,
gradually switching them over to the new food. This will give them time to adjust
without throwing them into a diarrhea reaction.
GIARDIA: Giardia is a germ dogs pick up from drinking pond/stream water or from
mud puddles. It is contagious and puppies can pass this around very easily. This is
not a life threatening condition but does cause terrible diarrhea in puppies. This
diarrhea can be watery or even bloody. Giardia can give a false negative test result
so again, it is virtually impossible for us to know they have this sometimes. If we do,
we obviously treat them. Symptoms can be stress induced so it IS possible for the
dog to have completely normal stool while here and then develop diarrhea upon
leaving, thus testing positive. Again, this is not a life threatening thing just an
annoying germ.
TREATMENT: Giardia can be easily and inexpensively cured by giving fenbendazole
(also called Panacur or SafeGuard). This can be obtained over the counter at any
pet store or Tractor Supply. Panacur is a dewormer that when purchased contains
three doses that is given once a day for three days in a row. Giving three doses
deworms your dog or puppy. By doubling the days given, fenbendazole cures
giardia.
COCCIDIA: Coccidia is a very common intestinal parasite that usual deworming
medications do not kill. It is extremely difficult to prevent coccidia infections,
especially in group situations, so puppies coming from a rescue or breeder with
coccidia is not an indication of poor sanitation or poor health care practices. It is
simply a very common problem. It causes terrible diarrhea and requires an antibiotic
such as Albon. Like the giardia, it can give off false negative test results and have
stress induced symptoms. Test results will be positive only during certain times such
as when the eggs are being shed into the stool, thus causing the false negative
results. It is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, alcohol and many
disinfectants therefore extremely difficult for us to prevent entirely in rescue. It is
easily transmitted via the hair or feet of an infected dog or puppy, contaminated
shoes, clothes or other objects around the infected area. It does not even require
direct contact between dogs to spread the virus. Vomiting can also be associated
with coccidia as well as mucous or blood in the diarrhea. In a weak puppy with an
extreme case of coccidia, it can cause death. The puppy actually dies from the
dehydration caused by the diarrhea which is caused by the coccidia. Dogs also
exhibit a lack of appetite. There is actually no “cure” for coccidia. The antibiotic
Albon prohibits the reproduction of the parasite until the puppy’s immune system
matures enough to kick it out. Adult dogs have a mature immune system and can
ward it off . Your puppy’s immune system will not start to fully mature until about 16
weeks of age. Coccidia can often times be mistaken for symptoms of parvo.
PARVO: Parvo is a deadly virus that is highly contagious and can kill a puppy. The
dehydration that is caused from the extreme diarrhea and vomiting and the fact that
the puppy has usually stopped drinking is what kills them. Puppies with parvo
become very weak and lethargic and do not want to eat, drink or play. Please take
your puppy to the vet right away if it develops these types of symptoms as this is
cause for serious concern. A vaccinated puppy CAN still get parvo! Typically a
vaccinated puppy will not get it as bad as an unvaccinated puppy so it is important to
protect the puppy until it has had all of its boosters.
BLOOD IN THE DIARRHEA: Bright red blood in the stool is NOT uncommon for
puppies and can be a normal response to diarrhea. Sometimes the diarrhea may be
from nothing more than stress or change of food. It is not always cause for panic.
After a couple bouts of diarrhea, the lining becomes irritated and starts to bleed thus
producing some bright red blood so do not be alarmed. It is something you would
definitely want to keep an eye on and it is advised that you take a stool sample to
your vet for testing.
YOGURT: Plain or vanilla yogurt can be very helpful with treating upset stomachs
and/or diarrhea. The cultures in the yogurt help to calm things down, very much like
Forti Flora.
IMPORTANT: If you have adopted a puppy, please refrain from taking your new
puppy to the pet store, dog park, etc. and always be sure to keep your puppy in your
lap while in the waiting room at your vet’s office at least until they have obtained a few
booster shots and are at least 16 weeks of age. Just because your puppy has had
one or two shots, that does not mean they are fully protected from viruses such as
parvo. When traveling, do not let your puppy walk around at rest areas or other dog
walking areas where other dogs have been as you have no idea how many cooties
may be lurking in the grass. A puppy can just lick the dew off of the grass and get
worms for example. Viruses and worms can live in the ground for 2-3 years and even
withstand harsh cold temperatures so please be careful and protect your puppy.
If your dog develops diarrhea and you feel it is a concern, please take a stool sample
to your vet for testing. We also recommend taking in a stool sample at your first vet
visit either way, even if it looks completely normal, because not all worms can be seen
with the naked eye.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. There are many
common problems that we have already encountered and can assist you with simple,
inexpensive ways to treat the condition. I am happy to help you in any way that I
possibly can if you will just give me the opportunity.
Thank you,
A1 K9 Rescue
puppies that have perfectly normal stool here in rescue can develop diarrhea once
going to their new home. Most of the time, it is not a cause for major concern (like
parvo). Even though we disinfect everything regularly, it is virtually impossible for us
to get every single cootie that is out there because many can give off false negative
test results and some symptoms are stress induced which means they will not start
until the stress of going to a new home. Here are the most common causes:
STRESS: It is very stressful for a dog or puppy to go to a new home. Their lives
have already been turned upside down, often times more than once. They have just
started to settle into their new lives here at rescue and then everything gets turned
upside down again going to their permanent home. Every dog adjusts at their own
pace and some are quicker than others. While some dogs and puppies just seem to
jump right in to their new homes and routines, others get upset tummies and develop
diarrhea. Please be patient with them. Some dogs may not feel like eating for a few
days when they are stressed with upset tummies and this is okay as long as they are
continuing to drink. Dehydration is the biggest worry with any diarrhea so please be
sure your dog is drinking, even if he/she doesn’t feel like eating. A hamburger/rice
diet for a few days is helpful for upset tummies and diarrhea as well as plain or vanilla
yogurt.
CHANGE OF FOOD: Changing a dog’s food can also cause diarrhea. Your dog or
puppy has been fed either an Iams or Eukanuba diet here in rescue. While it is not a
problem changing their food to whatever brand you prefer, we do recommend waiting
a week or two before doing so and then mix the two foods together for awhile,
gradually switching them over to the new food. This will give them time to adjust
without throwing them into a diarrhea reaction.
GIARDIA: Giardia is a germ dogs pick up from drinking pond/stream water or from
mud puddles. It is contagious and puppies can pass this around very easily. This is
not a life threatening condition but does cause terrible diarrhea in puppies. This
diarrhea can be watery or even bloody. Giardia can give a false negative test result
so again, it is virtually impossible for us to know they have this sometimes. If we do,
we obviously treat them. Symptoms can be stress induced so it IS possible for the
dog to have completely normal stool while here and then develop diarrhea upon
leaving, thus testing positive. Again, this is not a life threatening thing just an
annoying germ.
TREATMENT: Giardia can be easily and inexpensively cured by giving fenbendazole
(also called Panacur or SafeGuard). This can be obtained over the counter at any
pet store or Tractor Supply. Panacur is a dewormer that when purchased contains
three doses that is given once a day for three days in a row. Giving three doses
deworms your dog or puppy. By doubling the days given, fenbendazole cures
giardia.
COCCIDIA: Coccidia is a very common intestinal parasite that usual deworming
medications do not kill. It is extremely difficult to prevent coccidia infections,
especially in group situations, so puppies coming from a rescue or breeder with
coccidia is not an indication of poor sanitation or poor health care practices. It is
simply a very common problem. It causes terrible diarrhea and requires an antibiotic
such as Albon. Like the giardia, it can give off false negative test results and have
stress induced symptoms. Test results will be positive only during certain times such
as when the eggs are being shed into the stool, thus causing the false negative
results. It is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, alcohol and many
disinfectants therefore extremely difficult for us to prevent entirely in rescue. It is
easily transmitted via the hair or feet of an infected dog or puppy, contaminated
shoes, clothes or other objects around the infected area. It does not even require
direct contact between dogs to spread the virus. Vomiting can also be associated
with coccidia as well as mucous or blood in the diarrhea. In a weak puppy with an
extreme case of coccidia, it can cause death. The puppy actually dies from the
dehydration caused by the diarrhea which is caused by the coccidia. Dogs also
exhibit a lack of appetite. There is actually no “cure” for coccidia. The antibiotic
Albon prohibits the reproduction of the parasite until the puppy’s immune system
matures enough to kick it out. Adult dogs have a mature immune system and can
ward it off . Your puppy’s immune system will not start to fully mature until about 16
weeks of age. Coccidia can often times be mistaken for symptoms of parvo.
PARVO: Parvo is a deadly virus that is highly contagious and can kill a puppy. The
dehydration that is caused from the extreme diarrhea and vomiting and the fact that
the puppy has usually stopped drinking is what kills them. Puppies with parvo
become very weak and lethargic and do not want to eat, drink or play. Please take
your puppy to the vet right away if it develops these types of symptoms as this is
cause for serious concern. A vaccinated puppy CAN still get parvo! Typically a
vaccinated puppy will not get it as bad as an unvaccinated puppy so it is important to
protect the puppy until it has had all of its boosters.
BLOOD IN THE DIARRHEA: Bright red blood in the stool is NOT uncommon for
puppies and can be a normal response to diarrhea. Sometimes the diarrhea may be
from nothing more than stress or change of food. It is not always cause for panic.
After a couple bouts of diarrhea, the lining becomes irritated and starts to bleed thus
producing some bright red blood so do not be alarmed. It is something you would
definitely want to keep an eye on and it is advised that you take a stool sample to
your vet for testing.
YOGURT: Plain or vanilla yogurt can be very helpful with treating upset stomachs
and/or diarrhea. The cultures in the yogurt help to calm things down, very much like
Forti Flora.
IMPORTANT: If you have adopted a puppy, please refrain from taking your new
puppy to the pet store, dog park, etc. and always be sure to keep your puppy in your
lap while in the waiting room at your vet’s office at least until they have obtained a few
booster shots and are at least 16 weeks of age. Just because your puppy has had
one or two shots, that does not mean they are fully protected from viruses such as
parvo. When traveling, do not let your puppy walk around at rest areas or other dog
walking areas where other dogs have been as you have no idea how many cooties
may be lurking in the grass. A puppy can just lick the dew off of the grass and get
worms for example. Viruses and worms can live in the ground for 2-3 years and even
withstand harsh cold temperatures so please be careful and protect your puppy.
If your dog develops diarrhea and you feel it is a concern, please take a stool sample
to your vet for testing. We also recommend taking in a stool sample at your first vet
visit either way, even if it looks completely normal, because not all worms can be seen
with the naked eye.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. There are many
common problems that we have already encountered and can assist you with simple,
inexpensive ways to treat the condition. I am happy to help you in any way that I
possibly can if you will just give me the opportunity.
Thank you,
A1 K9 Rescue