Seizures and Diarrhea

Poisoning

• Anything that is poisonous to humans is poisonous to dogs. Pest control products, cleaning fluid and antifreeze are the most common culprits, and they can cause serious damage to the dog’s system soon after ingestion. These poisons cause an upset stomach as they are digested, and they can attack the nervous system as they are absorbed into the bloodstream. A veterinarian may be able to stop the process by various means, depending upon the toxin.

Distemper

• Distemper is a virus that attacks both the respiratory and nervous systems, with thick yellow nasal discharge being a hallmark symptom. There is no cure, but a veterinarian will treat the symptoms and administer fluids to avoid potentially fatal dehydration. Distemper can be prevented by keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date.

Epilepsy

• If the diarrhea is not very watery, it may be normal stool that is simply released during a seizure because of a loss of muscle control. Epileptic dogs have frequent seizures, and may release both urine and stool. A veterinarian can prescribe medication that will control the frequency and severity of the seizures.

Acute Liver or Kidney Disease

• The liver and kidneys filter toxins from the body. If one or the other is not functioning correctly, toxins may be allowed to remain in the bloodstream where they can inflame the intestinal tract and cause diarrhea. Very severe cases can cause seizures as nitrogen builds up in the blood. Various treatment modes exist, depending upon the underlying cause and severity of the case.

Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasmosis is a parasite transmitted through undercooked meat, raw vegetables and cat stool. It can cause both diarrhea and seizures in different stages of infection, but can be treated with common antibiotics.