Diarrhea in Small Dogs

Types

• Small dogs can experience two types of diarrhea: acute and chronic. Acute diarrhea typically lasts a few days at most and results from a minor bug, extra gas or food. Chronic diarrhea is a more serious problem and frequent among small dogs. Chronic diarrhea occurs on a regular basis with no predictable pattern.

Time Frame

• Most puppies have diarrhea. According to the Dog Breed Info Center, puppies are particularly susceptible to diarrhea as a result of parasites and changes in their diet as they grow.

Prevention/Solution

• A small dog owner can prevent the severity of diarrhea by feeding her dog consistently, using the same amount of food at the same times every day. Small dogs are also susceptible to developing acute diarrhea because they are frequently overfed, so owners should avoid overfeeding. Diarrhea treatments can include bismuth subsalicylate and other over-the-counter products, but the owner should check with her veterinarian before administering remedies to the small dog (especially since overdosing is very easy with a small animal).

Predisposition

• Certain small dog breeds are predisposed to chronic diarrhea. Most notable among these are Yorkshire terriers. Yorkie owners frequently confront their veterinarians with this problem. Puppies have frequent problems with diarrhea. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, German shepherds and Bernese mountain dog puppies are particularly prone to gastrointestinal problems as puppies.

Size

• Because diarrhea is so frequently caused by diet, a small dog's size often increases its likelihood to experience diarrhea. A human-sized portion of a food that typically upsets a dog's stomach is more likely to cause diarrhea in a small dog than in a large one.