Diarrhea is a common occurrence in puppies, and there are many things that can cause diarrhea, especially for a new puppy.
Parasites Are a Common Cause of Diarrhea in Puppies
Parasites are one of the most common causes of diarrhea in puppies. Most puppies are born with parasites, most commonly roundworms or hookworms. Other common parasites include whipworms, tapeworms, Giardia and coccidia.
Besides being acquired from the mother, a puppy can also acquire parasites through contact with feces from other dogs that have parasites or through ingestion of other creatures that are carrying parasites (such as fleas).
Stress and Puppy Diarrhea
Stress is another very common cause of diarrhea. Especially for a new puppy, there are a lot changes going on in the puppy’s life when he finds a new home. Usually, he has just recently been separated from his mother and litter mates. He has been introduced to a new environment with people that are, for the time being, strangers to him. All of these changes are stressful for a puppy, and it is not unusual for his feces to reflect that stress and become loose. In other words, the changes that your newly adopted puppy is experiencing can cause diarrhea for him.
Additionally, even for a puppy who has been in your home for a time, changes in your household routine or other factors can cause stress and result in diarrhea.
Changes in Diet Can Cause Diarrhea for Your Puppy
Sudden changes in a puppy’s diet can sometimes cause diarrhea. When possible, particularly for puppies (and even adult dogs) with sensitive stomachs, if a change in diet becomes necessary, it is best to change the diet gradually over the course of roughly a week. Ideally, start by adding a small amount of the puppy’s new food in with the food he has been eating. Gradually increase the quantity of the new food each day while decreasing the quantity of the old food.
Dietary Indiscretion Is a Common Cause of Diarrhea in Puppies
Puppies will be puppies. And as puppies, most are extremely curious. Many puppies are guilty of eating anything that comes within their reach. Sometimes this may be a food item that may cause intestinal upset. Other times, puppies may even chew up and swallow inanimate objects. These types of dietary habits can cause diarrhea for your puppy. If these objects become stuck in the intestinal tract or if they are sharp enough to perforate the intestinal tract, this can become a quite serious situation for your puppy.
Viral Diseases as a Cause of Diarrhea in Puppies
There are a number of viral diseases that can cause diarrhea in puppies. Parvovirus is the most serious of these viral infections. Unfortunately, parvovirus can cause serious illness for your puppy and is frequently fatal. Other viruses can also cause diarrhea for your puppy but may be less threatening than parvovirus. Coronavirus is an example.
Bacterial Infections May Cause Diarrhea for Some Puppies
Bacterial diseases may be infectious (acquired from another animal), such as leptospirosis. They may also be food-borne, such as Salmonella and E. coli.
If your puppy experiences severe diarrhea, has blood in his feces, has persistant diarrhea lasting more then 24-48 hours, is not eating, is vomiting or is not acting himself, you should schedule a visit with your puppy’s veterinarian for an examination.
Remember the best intervention to diahhrea and other diseases is a good strong immune system. A dog’s immune system can be strengthened with a reiki treatment every 3-4 weeks until the puppy is a year and a half years old. To find a reiki practitioner in your area please visit animalreikisource.com/
This article was taken from http://www.untrainedhousewife.com/six-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-puppies and modified by New York Dog Nanny.
