Diarrhea in dogs is characterized by frequent urge to defecate, liquid or mushy stools and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite or fatigue. The consistency, color and frequency of the stool changes significantly compared to the animal's normal state. Diarrhea is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that can indicate various health problems.

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Diet-related causes

Diet plays a central role in the health of our dog's digestive system. Sometimes, whether through unwanted access to "forbidden" foods or careless feeding on the part of owners, dogs consume things that are not beneficial to their gastrointestinal tract. Here are some dietary factors that can trigger diarrhea:

• Bad food: Sometimes poor preservation or storage of dog food can cause it to spoil. Mold or bacteria in food can make the dog sick and cause diarrhea. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene when feeding BARF. 

• B-Vitamine: Vitamin B, particularly vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and B6 (pyridoxine), plays an important role in dogs' digestive health. A deficiency or imbalance of these vitamins can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs. Vitamin B12 is crucial for many metabolic processes and supports cell division as well as protein and energy production. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause, among other things, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss in dogs. A healthy intestine is necessary to absorb vitamin B12. Therefore, a gastrointestinal disease (like IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease) can hinder the absorption of vitamin B12, which in turn further compromises gut health, in a vicious circle. Vitamin B6 is essential for neurotransmitter production, immune function and metabolism. A deficiency of B6 can cause diarrhea and other symptoms such as anemia and skin diseases. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the production of digestive enzymes that help break down food and extract nutrients.

  B vitamins are generally critical for energy production and can influence the health of the intestinal lining. An imbalance or deficiency of B vitamins can disrupt the body's ability to absorb nutrients, leading to diarrhea and other digestive problems.

• Abrupt food changes: Changing food quickly without making a gradual change can irritate the dog's gastrointestinal tract. It's important to make any dietary changes slowly over a week or longer to give the digestive system time to adjust.
• Foreign bodies and toxic substances: Dogs explore the world with their mouths and sometimes eat things they shouldn't, such as garbage, toys or toxic substances (e.g. chocolate, onions). This can cause irritation and inflammation in the intestines.
• Sensitive stomach: Some dogs have naturally sensitive stomachs, which means that certain foods or types of food can trigger diarrhea. Special diets or feeds are often helpful here.
• Food allergies and intolerances: Some dogs are allergic or intolerant to certain ingredients in their food, such as certain proteins, grains or additives. Symptoms may include skin problems and/or digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
• Overfeeding: Excessive amounts of food or treats, even if they are suitable for dogs, can also cause diarrhea because they overload the digestive tract.
• Feeding leftovers: Sometimes the habit of passing leftovers from our food to the dog can also cause problems. Our food often contains ingredients and spices that can be difficult for dogs to digest or even toxic.

Allergies and intolerances

It is not uncommon for our dogs, like us humans, to react sensitively to certain food ingredients. Allergies and intolerances to certain ingredients in food can trigger a wide range of symptoms, with diarrhea being a particularly common symptom. Addressing the issue of allergies and intolerances is essential to ensure the dog's well-being and avoid serious health problems.

• Common allergens: Common allergy triggers in dog nutrition include beef, chicken, egg, wheat and soy. But other proteins, carbohydrates or additives can also cause allergic reactions.
• Variety of symptoms: Allergies can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, including skin irritation (itching, redness), chronic itchy ears, but also digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.
• Food diary: A helpful way to identify allergies or intolerances is to keep a food diary. The components fed as well as the occurrence and intensity of symptoms are documented.
• Elimination diet: A method often recommended by veterinarians for identifying food allergies is the so-called exclusion diet. Here, the dog is fed a strictly controlled diet over a certain period of time that only contains a few ingredients that are classified as harmless. Little by little, other food components are reintroduced to observe whether and which of them trigger a reaction.
• Allergy test: Dog owners who are confronted with the discomfort and stress of an animal suffering from allergies often look for ways to quickly and effectively identify the triggering factors. In addition to the elimination diet, which is often recommended by veterinarians, there are other methods such as allergy tests and bioresonance, which are, however, controversial among experts.
• Adjustment of feeding: Once the triggering factors have been identified, targeted adjustments to the diet can be made to exclude the identified allergens or intolerable components.

Medication side effects

Some medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect. So if your dog has recently started a new medication and develops diarrhea, you should discuss this with your veterinarian.

Diseases of the internal organs

Diseases of internal organs can cause complex and varied symptoms, and diarrhea is often one of the first signs that something is wrong. Some specific diseases of the internal organs that may accompany diarrhea are:

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Symptoms: In addition to diarrhea, pancreatitis can also cause vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and lethargy.
• causes: High-fat food, injuries, or side effects of medications can trigger pancreatitis.
• Management: Treatment may include dietary adjustments, medication, and in severe cases, hospitalization.

intestinal obstruction

• Symptoms: An intestinal blockage can cause diarrhea, vomiting, visible abdominal pain, and a swollen abdomen.
• causes: Intestinal obstruction can be caused by foreign bodies, tumors or twisted parts of the intestine.
• Emergency: An intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary intervention, possibly including surgery.

Tumors in the digestive tract

• Symptoms: Depending on the location and size of the tumor, symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool or weight loss may occur.
• Diagnosis and treatment: Imaging tests can help identify tumors, while the treatment strategy varies depending on the type and location of the tumor.

Liver and kidney diseases

• Symptoms: These can vary, but symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, and jaundice often occur.
• Management: Depending on the diagnosis, various therapeutic approaches may be considered, including medications, diet changes, or even surgery.

Dog diarrhea can be a symptom of many different health problems, and while some causes are relatively harmless and easy to treat, others can be more serious and complex. Autoimmune diseases are one such category of diseases that can trigger diarrhea and other digestive problems in dogs.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system incorrectly identifies its own cells and tissues as foreign and attacks them. Some autoimmune diseases that affect dogs and that may also be associated with diarrhea and other digestive problems include:

Lupus

• Definition: Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including skin, joints, and internal organs.
• Symptoms: Skin changes, joint inflammation, fever and in some cases gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.
• Management: Often treatment is based on immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs to control symptoms.

Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism)

• Definition: This condition occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones, which are important for regulating various body functions.
• Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness and apathy may occur.
• Management: Addison's disease is often treated with steroids and, if necessary, additional electrolytes to compensate for the hormone deficiency.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Definition: IBD is a chronic inflammation of the intestines that is often associated with an overactive immune system.
• Symptoms: Frequent diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss are characteristic.
• Management: Diet management, probiotics and often anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medications are part of the treatment strategies.

Diarrhea can be a first sign that the dog's immune system is not functioning properly, especially if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms. Diagnosing an autoimmune disease requires comprehensive veterinary examinations, including blood tests, ultrasounds, and possibly tissue samples. The exact causes and connections between autoimmune diseases and diarrhea are complex and vary depending on the disease and individual dog. Overall, diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases in dogs requires an in-depth understanding and individualized approach to managing the symptoms and challenges involved. 

A thorough diagnosis is crucial to determine the exact cause of diarrhea in dogs and to initiate the correct therapy accordingly. Here are some more detailed points on the methods already mentioned, as well as some additional approaches.

Fecal examination

• Parasitenbefall: The vet will look for signs of parasites such as worms or giardia.
• Bacterial infections: A microscopic test can indicate harmful bacteria such as salmonella.
• Viral infections: Some viruses, such as parvovirus, can cause diarrhea and are often life-threatening.
• digestive enzymes: A test of digestive enzymes can reveal problems with the pancreas.

Blood test

• Organ function: Checking the function of the liver, kidneys and other important organs.
• Inflammatory markers: Anti-inflammatory markers may indicate systemic disease or infection.
• Blood count: Analyzes the number and quality of blood cells, which can indicate various health conditions.

Ultrasound or X-ray

• Cancer: Identifies possible growths or abnormalities in the organs. 
• Blockages: Checks for foreign bodies or blockages in the digestive tract.
• Organ structure: Examines the shape and structure of internal organs for abnormalities or changes.

Food samples

• Allergietests: Special elimination diets or skin tests are sometimes performed to identify food allergies or intolerances.
• Food intake: Document the dog's food and water intake to identify any abnormalities or patterns that may indicate a problem.

Additional diagnostic measures

• Endoscopy: This involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera through the dog's mouth to inspect the digestive tract and, if necessary, take tissue samples.
• Biopsy: In certain cases, a tissue sample may be taken from digestive organs to check the cells microscopically for abnormalities or disease.
• Special tests: Sometimes specific tests are necessary for diseases such as pancreatitis, Addison's disease, or hyperthyroidism.

Diagnosing diarrhea in dogs can be complex, especially when the cause is not immediately apparent. It is important that you work with the veterinarian to provide an accurate history and symptom overview that can help make a diagnosis. Every clue can be valuable, and the combination of specialized testing and detailed information can pave the way to effective treatment and restoration of your dog's health.

Some supplements and home remedies can provide support if your dog has acute diarrhea, but they should never be considered the sole solution. The cause of the diarrhea should not be ignored. If digestive problems persist or recur, a more in-depth examination by a veterinarian is essential in order to rule out possible underlying illnesses or problems or to treat them appropriately. If the diarrhea lasts longer than 3 days or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, a visit to the vet is essential. Diarrhea, especially if it persists over a long period of time, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening dehydration.

Individual tolerance plays an important role when it comes to using natural remedies and home remedies. Every dog ​​is unique and reacts differently, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That's why it's crucial that you watch your dog closely and pay attention to how he reacts to certain substances. Another essential factor is professional advice. Coordination with the veterinarian is of the utmost importance to ensure that the remedies chosen are not only safe but also suitable for your dog's specific case. 

Diarrhea in dogs can have a variety of causes, including food intolerances, infections, parasitic infestations, or more serious health problems such as internal organ disease. Even if it is natural to first resort to gentle home remedies and proven nutritional supplements, such as slippery elm bark, probiotics or Moro soup, these remedies should never be seen as a replacement for veterinary diagnosis and therapy.

If you have acute diarrhea, it's first important to keep an eye on your dog and make sure he isn't becoming dangerously dehydrated. If the diarrhea lasts longer than 24-48 hours, blood is visible in the stool, or the dog's general condition worsens, a trip to the vet is essential. Even if the diarrhea passes but recurs at regular intervals, it should definitely be checked out by a specialist in order to rule out chronic or hidden illnesses.

Ultimately, it's always about finding a careful balance between initial measures at home and professional veterinary care. As a dog owner, you should always be vigilant and know your dog well in order to be able to act accordingly in the event of irregularities in the digestive tract. The dog's health is the most valuable asset and always deserves priority and attention.