Most puppies have diarrhea at some point. It may be caused by introducing a new food, the stress of going to a new home, or a bacterial or viral infection. Diarrhea can be characterized by stools that are frequent and watery, or simply looser than normal. In some cases, diarrhea will clear up on its own, but you will need to treat the diarrhea if it persists, is severe or is taking place in a young puppy.
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Foods
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The first day you find diarrhea, note the stools' consistency, frequency and color. The treatment will depend on the age of the puppy. For a puppy under seven weeks of age, call the vet. Diarrhea can be fatal for very young puppies who become too dehydrated.
For a puppy older than seven weeks with mild diarrhea, do not offer any food the first day. Offer only water or Pedialyte. This will help to clear bacteria or virus from the puppy's system. On the second day, begin offering a mixture of rice boiled in the same water as a piece of raw chicken. This will make the rice taste like chicken, so the puppy will eat it. Mix in a couple of tablespoons of plain lowfat yogurt with live active cultures. Feed this to the puppy for the day. The third day, add in the chopped-up piece of chicken. Ask your vet how long to continue your puppy on this modified diet.
Medications
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Puppies older than seven weeks can be given Pepto Bismol. The correct dosage is 1/2 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. Give this every three to four hours. Using a syringe, slowly drip the medication into the puppies cheek, massaging his throat to encourage him to swallow.
If you see worms in your puppy's stools, call your vet for worm medication. Worms are a frequent cause of diarrhea in puppies, and worm medication can clear it up quickly. Follow the directions suggested by the veterinarian in dosing and frequency.
When to Call the Vet
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For any diarrhea in pups under seven weeks, or for water diarrhea in a puppy of any age, call the veterinarian. Pinch a fold of skin on his neck. If the skin snaps back immediately, your puppy is well hydrated. If the skin smooths out slowly, or if it remains folded, call the vet immediately. This indicates dehydration, and can kill a puppy, or even an adult dog, quickly. Your vet may give the puppy a fluid solution under his skin to rehydrate him quickly. Other reasons to call the vet include diarrhea that does not get better with a day of fasting and a day or two of the rice and chicken mixture, or if the diarrhea gets worse over time instead of better.
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