Having one puppy with diarrhea is a serious challenge… but having an entire litter of puppies with the runs?? Disaster.
Beyond the messes, diarrhea could have a simple solution or it could indicate a serious problem for young puppies. Acting quickly is vital.
Step 1: Assess Puppy’s Hydration
Diarrhea can quickly cause dehydration, which needs to be addressed immediately by a vet.
Check each pup’s mouth- is it dry or pale? These are signs of dehydration.
Also conduct the “Skin Pinch Test”. Pinch a section of skin (not hard to cause discomfort or pain) and hold the skin for a 3-5 seconds. Let go of the skin and watch the results. A well-hydrated pup’s skin immediately bounces back to where it was before. A dehydrated pup’s skin will be less elastic- meaning it will stay pinched and slowly return to the original position.
If you have concerns about any puppy reaching the point of dehydration due to diarrhea, quickly seek veterinary attention for the puppy. No delay- a pup can go from bad to worse in a short time!
Note: Pedialyte may be used to rehydrate a puppy, but be sure to check with your licensed veterinarian first!
Step 2: Look for Signs of Parasites
A leading cause of diarrhea in puppies is parasites- long worm, hook worm, whip worm, tapeworm, giardia, coccidia… any one of them could cause loose stool. It is important to note that worms are VERY common for young puppies. They can pick up worms from their mother’s milk, from the environment, and from each other. If one puppy has worms, it is almost guaranteed that the others will have them as well. Even careful and educated breeders are faced with outbreaks of parasites. Parasites can kill a puppy if left untreated, so be sure to take care of them early on once detected.
Other symptoms that parasites could be the cause include: vomiting, failure to gain weight, a tight/swollen belly (in more severe cases). The best way to check for worms is to observe a pup’s stool- often, parasites can be seen inside the stool. They can look like cooked spaghetti noodles or small pieces of rice.
Even if you cannot see any parasites, it is wise to have a veterinarian conduct a Fecal Float which will give you a definitive answer as to 1- if your babies have any parasites and 2- what kind of parasites are present. With that information, a vet can prescribe a specific dewormer to your exact needs.
Step 3: Check the Temperature
Are your puppies free of parasites and well hydrated… but still have loose stool?
Check the temperature of the puppy whelping box. They may need a warmer space- especially when they eat and for the hour or so after a meal. Why?
Remember in our discussion of Puppy Infancy when we mentioned that a newborn cannot be fed unless he is warm? Otherwise, he can die because a newborn pup cannot digest when he is cold?
As a puppy ages, his digestive system matures, but colder temperatures can still present his body with more of a challenge, resulting in diarrhea instead of death.
Simple solution- keep the puppies warmer, especially around meal times and immediately after meals when they are digesting.
Step 4: Feed Separately and Assess the Puppies’ Diet
Puppies need a high quality diet. Diarrhea could be a result of a cheap or low quality kibble. Consider upgrading the puppies’ diet- but be sure to do so slowly by mixing the old food into the new food for at least a week. This will slowly adjust the pups’ digestive systems to the new food. A sudden change could cause further stomach upset.
Consider if any puppies are showing signs of an allergy or sensitivity to the food that they are eating. For example, many poodles have allergies to chicken- in this case, a lamb or salmon food would be better suited to the breed.
Now that you’ve got the pups’ food all sorted- be sure to feed separately. Why?
1- To assess that each pup is eating well. A sudden change in one baby’s hunger could indicate if he/she is feeling sick.
2- To be sure each pup is eating a healthy amount, but not overfeeding. Overeating can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Simply feeding less could be the solution!
Step 5: Ask the Vet about Supplements/Medication
Assuming all bridges have been crossed and the diarrhea persists, there are supplements that could be helpful but always check with a veterinarian first!
The following foods can soothe an upset stomach:
1- Canned plain pumpkin
2- Cooked rice
3- Warm broth
4- Cooked chicken, no seasonings
A vet may also recommend a probiotic to add the pups’ food, Pepto bismol, or another anti-diarrhea medication to help the pups feel better.
The Overall Point
Overall- remember to act fast before a puppy’s condition worsens and always seek advice from a licensed veterinarian as you help your babies.
Cheers to better days ahead of healthy tummies and fewer messes to clean up!
Need more information about puppy growth and development? Check out our Whelping Kit- designed not only to provide helpful supplies, but also to educate responsible dog owners to raise happier, healthier puppies!
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