Puppies are a lot like babies. They must be treated with extra care and attention so as to avoid fatal diseases and conditions. Diarrhea is a fairly common condition in mature dogs however it is much more prevalent in puppies. In order to successfully overcome this persistent problem, it is important for you to understand the various causes of diarrhea in puppies. Here are some of the main reasons why your beloved pup may be experiencing diarrhea:
- Ingestion of contaminated foreign objects
Just like a toddler learning to crawl, puppies are prone to putting everything into their mouths. This can result in diarrhea, especially if they spend a lot of time exploring the outdoors unsupervised. Swallowing foreign objects can also cause severe damage to their gastrointestinal system, especially if they get infested by worms. Make sure that you deworm your puppies on a regular basis according to your vet’s instructions. This reduces the risk of worm infestation. You should also try and keep your puppy monitored at all times in order to reduce the risk of them swallowing contaminated objects.
- Sudden change in diet
If you have recently adopted a new puppy, there is a high chance that what you are feeding them is quite different from what they are used to eating. Whether you got your little puppy from a friend or an animal shelter, try as much as possible to maintain the previous dietary arrangement. If you find it necessary to introduce a change in the puppy’s diet, do so gradually over a period of time. This helps to ease the stress on their sensitive gastrointestinal system. Since your puppy’s digestive system is still adjusting to its functions, it may also be of benefit for you to administer digestive support for dogs in form of veterinary-approved formulas that are proven to boost digestion and enzyme action.
- Poor Hygiene
If you have more than one puppy, be careful to keep their living environment clean and sanitary at all times since an infection can easily spread among them due to contaminated stool. In a similar way, keep your puppy away from public areas where they may come into contact with other dogs’ stool. Proper hygiene is a very simple yet overlooked principle that can easily save you many visits to the vet’s office. Also be sure to keep their kennel clean at all times and disinfect their eating utensils on a regular basis.
- Viral Infections
If you are blessed with several puppies, be vigilant to look out for signs of a viral infection as one pup can easily transmit the disease to its siblings through contaminated stool. Parvovirus is a very common viral infection that can bring about diarrhea in puppies. This disease affects the lining of the small intestines thereby causing vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. In order to keep parvovirus at bay, visit your local vet as soon as possible so that they may administer a vaccine against this deadly infection.
Bio
Brian Walker is a qualified veterinary doctor and animal enthusiast. He has gained a large amount of experience in developing effective formulations which provide digestive support for dogs and puppies.
