Watery Stool in Dogs

Watery stool in dogs is a sign of diarrhea. This can be an indication of an upset stomach and the ingestion of something that hasn't agreed with the dog's system. It may also be due to a medical condition that needs attention. The dog's symptoms should be monitored and if the stool doesn't change its consistency within 48 hours, you need to consult your vet. Watery stool may cause dehydration and this can lead to additional problems in the dog's body.

Causes of Watery Stool

If your dog has a watery stool, this can be attributed to food intolerance or his diet, or a more serious condition such as a tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. A sudden change in the dog's diet may also lead to diarrhea and vomiting. There may be other reasons why your dog has watery stool including:

• Various internal parasites that lodge the intestinal tract
• An infection of the gastrointestinal tract, which may be due to something the dog ingested from the garbage or even meat that is not properly cooked
• A thyroid problem
• Pancreatitis, or the inflammation of the pancreas
• A malignant tumor that is lodged in the bowels or intestines of the pet
• Polyps or other benign growths in the gastrointestinal tract
• Food allergies

You should think back about the possible foods that your dog may have ingested or other potential causes you can think of.

Other Possible Symptoms

When you walk your dog and he eliminates feces, these have a certain consistency; when you see a change in the consistency of the stool, this may be a sign of diarrhea. The diarrhea may be acute and clear within 24 hours, but it may also be chronic. You may notice a number of additional symptoms that can indicate the nature of the problem:

• Blood in the stool
• Vomiting
• Mucus or other discharges in the stool
• Parasites (dead or moving) in the stool
• A different odor of the feces
• Elevated fever
• Decreased appetite
• Dehydration
• Abdominal cramps
• Pain when eliminating, indicated by whining and hesitating to eliminate feces

Treating Watery Stool

When your dog has watery stool, it may be a good idea to allow him to fast for one or two days. Your dog may have a decreased appetite and if he doesn't eat, this will allow his gastrointestinal tract to recover and eliminate the infectious agents that can cause diarrhea.

You may feed your dog some food, but decrease the amount to half of a regular portion or even less. If your dog is fasting, make sure he drinks water.

If the watery stool is still present after two days, you need to consult your vet. He will perform a few tests and determine if there is an underlying medical condition causing diarrhea. Various treatments may be prescribed, ranging from dewormers and antibiotics to surgery in order to remove tumors or polyps.