My dog has diarrhea. Should I deworm them or see a vet first?

Thanks for submitting your question regarding Marmaduke. He needs to see his veterinarian again. Fecal testing will be performed. If it was done on his first visit, it may be repeated or additional tests recommended. Depending on his results, medication will likely be prescribed. A diet change to a prescription low fat diet may be beneficial as well. I typically do not recommend extended fasting on puppies as is common in adults with diarrhea. He is growing and needs to eat. I hope this information helps!

Oh goodness. I am so sorry to hear that Bambi is so sick. I am very concerned about parvovirus with the symptoms that you describe. I would highly encourage you to have her evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. At 1.4 pounds she can become severely dehydrated very quickly. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Honey. Since the diarrhea has gone on for several days, I would recommend that she sees her veterinarian. She will likely need fecal testing and a medication to clear it up. As you mentioned, she could have acquired a parasite. She also could have ingested something that upset her stomach either on your walk, a scrap of human food or a new dog treat. When this occurs and diarrhea results, a secondary bacterial overgrowth can occur. This perpetuates the diarrhea and an antibiotic is usually necessary. If the testing does reveal a cause and the diarrhea recurs after treatment, then I would consider a diet change. In the meantime, offer her plenty of water so that she does not become dehydrated. I hope this information helps!

Hello there and thank you for using Pet Coach. With your description of Bambi's problem, I would be worried about a systemic disease / infection or that maybe she ate something and it is causing a GI obstruction. I would get her seen as soon as possible so that she can receive the appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible. The sooner the better. Please let me know if you have any other questions / concerns. I am also available via consultation.

Hi there. Weight loss in a puppy Bear's age is concerning. It could be the parasite but also diarrhea can cause weight loss quickly. I would recommend taking him into your vet for blood work and fecal testing to diagnose what is causing the diarrhea, and get him the treatment he needs. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from bacterial over growth to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. If Dolly has been sick for over 24 hours, I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian today. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. I hope Dolly starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Dogs will frequently develop diarrhea from a diet change which is why it is recommended to slowly transition your pet from one food to another. Since worms have been ruled out, it is likely that this is your pup's issue, although there may be many reasons for diarrhea including infection, allergies and other disorders. If the diarrhea does not resolve in another day or two, you should take her back to your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of the diarrhea.