Diarrhea

Perhaps the worst thing about diarrhea is the element of surprise: It often comes on so quickly that even conscientious pets aren't always able to make it outside or to the litter box in time.

Dogs and cats have sensitive digestive tracts. When they eat something that they shouldn't -- from leftovers in the trash to a shoelace they found on the floor of the closet -- the body tries to get rid of it, and diarrhea can be the messy result. Cats occasionally get diarrhea, but it is much more common in dogs, mainly because of their adventuresome appetites, says Alan Green, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Katonah, New York.

"We see a lot of diarrhea in dogs around Thanksgiving and Christmas because people give them high-fat foods that they don't usually eat," adds Dr. Green.

Diarrhea isn't caused only by your pet's culinary indiscretions. It can also be a sign of tapeworms, hookworms, or other parasites, which interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients, says Dr. Green. Diarrhea caused by parasites is more common in puppies and kittens than in older pets because their immune systems aren't yet strong enough to keep the pests under control.

Less often, diarrhea is a symptom of other, more serious illnesses, like parvovirus (an intestinal infection in dogs), kidney disease, diabetes, or an inflammation of the large intestine. When diarrhea lasts longer than a day or two, it could mean that something is seriously wrong, and you should call your vet right away, says Dr. Green.

See Your Vet If...

• Your dog has been raiding the trash
  
• Your pet has been eating table scraps or unfamiliar foods
  
• He has been exposed to parasites
  
• Pushing on your pet's belly causes her pain
  
• Your dog or cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours or more
  
• Her abdomen appears bloated
  
• She has eaten rodent poison, antifreeze, houseplants, or other harmful substances
  
• Your pet has been vomiting for more than a day or is vomiting blood
  
• There are worms or other parasites in the stool
  
• She has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more
  
• There is blood in the stool or it looks dark and tarry
  
• She is scooting across the floor, or the anal area looks swollen
  
• Your pet has gained or lost substantial amounts of weight
  
• She is having side effects from medication, like appetite loss or vomiting
  
• There are growths in the anal area
  
• There is a bulge in her throat
  
• She is drooling much more than usual
  
• Your pet vomits shortly after eating
  

Next Steps:

• What you can do for your pet
  
• What your vet can do
  
• Find out other causes of diarrhea

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