My Dog has Watery Stools

Watery stool: IntroductionWatery stool is usually a form of diarrhea. It may also be related to loose stool (also within the spectrum of diarrhea). Many conditions causing watery stool will be listed under diarrhea. .
Causes of Watery stool:The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Watery stool. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms
Watery stool: Symptom CheckerListed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Watery stool, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

“My dog has watery stools” is common complaint heard by veterinary offices. Watery stools, or diarrhea, can be a symptom of many different medical problems. The severity of diarrhea can range from being a simple, upset stomach to a major medical emergency. However, in most cases if a dog has watery diarrhea (i.e. there is mostly water and just a small amount of fecal material in the stool) it should be considered a medical emergency. 

My Dog has Watery Stools - Why?
Diarrhea is a symptom of many different diseases and illnesses in dogs, but it is not it’s own disease. While diarrhea is a common malady in dogs, it can be difficult to determine the actual cause. Some of the most common causes of acute onset diarrhea (diarrhea that occurs suddenly and occurs at least 3 times in a 24 hours period) include: 

Dietary indiscretion
Parasite infection
Viral infection
Dogs are well known for being opportunistic when food is around, and getting into and eating just about anything. Many times, however, what a dog eats can come back to haunt him, in the form of gastrointestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea occurring. 

Digestion upsets from eating something can occur in many ways. Abrupt changes in diets, feeding an unfamiliar treat or some table scraps, getting into the trash, getting into something outside, any many other things can prompt an upset stomach and cause diarrhea in your dog. Depending on the amount eaten and the cause, many dogs can be treated at home by being held off of food for 24 hours, then started back on a bland diet gradually until their stool returns to normal. In other cases, medical intervention may be required to help the dog recovery more quickly. 

Unfortunately, dogs sneaking a meal out of the garbage don’t tend to discriminate between actual foodstuffs and the wrappers, containers and other items in the trash. If you suspect your dog has eaten a foreign object, call your veterinarian immediately. While some items may decompose in the stomach and pass benignly through the dogs body, other items will not. Because the digestive tract is a long series of ever-smaller intestines, many things ingested may not make it all the way through to pass naturally, and if allowed to get stuck in the intestines, will require surgery to remove. However, if prompt medical attention is sought immediately after suspected foreign body ingestion, it may be possible for your vet to induce vomiting and retrieve the item before it passes through the stomach. 

Parasites are a common cause of diarrhea in both puppies and adult dogs. Intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms are most commonly found in puppies, but any dog is at risk for infection. Roundworms are extremely widespread in puppies, and left unchecked they can cause severe respiratory and intestinal problems, and even death. Puppies only a few weeks old can have a severe, life threatening infection, and in addition to having these long, spaghetti-like worms in their stools, the dogs will have a large, pot-bellied appearance and rough hair coat.

Giardia is a single-celled protozoa that lives within the dogs intestines, easily transmitted from dog to dog via contaminated water and food sources, as well as in the soil. Giardia is very common in areas with high concentrations of dogs, such as in boarding kennels and dog parks. Diarrhea is the most common sign of Giardia, though some dogs may have the parasite and show no symptoms. Fecal screening can help to diagnose Giardia, so that the dog may be treated. This is especially important, as Giardia is a zoonotic parasite, and can be transmitted to children and adults from affected dogs. 

In dogs under 2 years old and especially in puppies, any time diarrhea is a symptom, canine parvovirus must be considered as a possible cause. This viral disease is extremely serious, and often fatal without intensive medical care. Parvo attacks the cells that line the intestines, damaging and killing off this vital part of the body that absorbs nutrients and liquids into the body. This damages causes profuse, malodorous watery diarrhea, along with a high fever, lethargy and vomiting. The volume of diarrhea quickly causes severe dehydration in affected dogs, and young puppies can die after only an hour or two of severe symptoms as a result. Parvo can be diagnosed through a antigen test at your vets office.