There’s nothing worse than discovering your dog has a bout of diarrhea, and especially when you don’t know the cause. Unfortunately, there are any number of reasons why your dog has come down with a case of loose stools, and they can sometimes require a trip to our vet clinic in Bend for help. Dogs are notorious for putting anything and everything in their mouths, can be allergic to something without warning, or pick up parasites that cause gastrointestinal distress. When your dog has persistent diarrhea, it’s time for a visit to the Bend veterinarian for help. Here’s a look at the common reasons why your dog has diarrhea:

1. Ingestion of an Irritant

One of the biggest fights a dog owner has with their dog is keeping stuff out of a dog’s mouth. Dogs are always looking for their next meal and won’t hesitate to gobble something up if it smells good enough. Unfortunately, that includes items, objects, and not-so-edibles that aren’t good for them. Garbage is a common cause of diarrhea and the issue sometimes resolves on its own. It’s when the issue persists is when you want to seek out help from a provider of veterinary internal medicine in Bend.

2. Parasites

Parasites are another cause of diarrhea, but they may not always be visible in your dog’s stools. In turn, you may not be aware of the fact your dog is carrying a parasite load and is suffering from their presence. Watch your dog’s stools for worms and make an appointment with the dog vet in Bend for an evaluation and de-worming treatment. It’s best to bring your dog to our Bend veterinarian as soon as possible so they can get relief from the parasites and return to normal bowel movements.

3. Food Changes and Allergies

A change in your dog’s diet can result in a case of diarrhea as your dog’s digestive system adapts to the change in ingredients. Alternatively, an allergen may be present in the dog food and gives your dog loose stools. The best course of action is to return to using the previous dog food, but if the food is unavailable, you should call our vet clinic in Bend for advice and steps to take. You may also want to make an appointment with the dog and cat vet in Bend for an evaluation for your dog and get to the bottom of the issue.

4. Illnesses

Viruses, bacterial overgrowth, pancreatitis, and cancer are causes of diarrhea in dogs. These illnesses and others like them cause inflammation and can damage your dog’s intestines, resulting in diarrhea. Your dog may, or may not, show signs of illness along with the diarrhea, and you should get an appointment for veterinary internal medicine in Bend to rule in or out potential causes of diarrhea.

Steps to Take When Your Dog has Diarrhea

The first step you need to take when your dog has diarrhea is to not panic but do keep a close eye on your dog. Pay attention to their body language and appetite and call our vet clinic in Bend for steps to take next. Look for blood in the stool or on your dog’s rear end and make not of the absence or presence of blood. Pick up a sample and place it in a baggie for testing in the event you bring your dog to our veterinarians in Bend for an exam.