15. Acute (Sudden) Dog Diarrhea
Dog Diarrhea has four general reasons for occurring: osmotic imbalances, over secretion, intestinal exudation or motility disorders. Osmotic imbalances occur when the concentration of food molecules in the intestine is too high. Water is drawn into the intestine by the excess molecules, causing diarrhea in dogs . Over secretion occurs when the intestine secretes too much fluid after being exposed to bacteria or toxins. Intestinal exudation describes a slow oozing of blood fluids through ulcers or other breaks in the intestine’s tissue layers. This exudation can be mild or very severe.
Motility disorders refer to how active the intestine is and its capability of moving contents through. An intestine that is under functioning in its ability to muscularly contract and push the contents out of the canal is most common; this condition is referred to as peristalsis. Conversely, motility can be increased as well, so that the intestine contracts too quickly and fluid which normally is absorbed is lost into the feces. Sometimes dog diarrhea can be from a combination of these causes. Intestinal infections can also cause the intestine to over secrete. They also tend to change the motility of the intestine.
Symptoms and Types of Dog Diarrhea
More water in feces than normal
May have an increased volume of feces
Fecal accidents
Vomiting
Blood or mucus in the feces
Straining to defecate
Possible listlessness
Possible anorexia
Depression
Abdominal pain
Fever
Weakness
Causes of Dog Diarrhea
Systemic illness
Eating garbage, nonfood material or spoiled food
Changes in diet
Hypersensitive digestive tract
Addison’s disease - less active than normal adrenal glands
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Pancreatic disease
Ingesting foreign bodies
Intestinal blockage
Infection
Viral
Bacterial
Parasitic
Rickettsial – bacterial infection typically acquired through parasites such as fleas, ticks, etc.
Fungal
Drugs and...