One of the quickest ways to tell whether your puppy is healthy is by its feces. Your puppy should have firm "log-like" stool. Sometimes, puppy diarrhea is unavoidable. However, it's important to know the causes so that you can treat your puppy before dehydration sets in.
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Coccidia
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Parasites are a common cause of puppy diarrhea. As in humans, parasites can cause a host of digestive problems for puppies, including diarrhea. One of these parasites is coccidia. Though normally present in all dogs, this parasite can cause problems when its levels become too high. Puppies can become infected with the parasite when they roll or play in grass that has another infected animals feces on it. Later, when the puppy is licking itself or another dog, it can ingest the parasite. Coccidia is usually treated by a vet using the medication Albon.
Giardia
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Giardia is another common parasite that can cause diarrhea in puppies. As with humans, puppies can get giardia by drinking infected water. This most commonly happens when drinking standing water such as in a puddle or lake. Giardia can be treated by a vet using the medication Metranidazole.
Feeding
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What you feed your puppy, and the way in which you feed it, can also cause puppy diarrhea. Constantly changing the type of puppy food can often cause diarrhea. Overfeeding your puppy can also cause diarrhea.
Stress
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Too much stress on your puppy can cause diarrhea. This can happen when your puppy is in a place it is not used to. It can also happen if you leave your puppy alone for extended periods, which can lead to separation disorder. Loud noises such as gunshots or thunder can also cause stress to your puppy.
Excitement
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Puppies can also get diarrhea when they are overly excited. This can occur from over-stimulation, or from playing too much. Removing your puppy from the situation and putting it in a relaxed state may help relieve the diarrhea.
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