Why is my dog restless with watery diarrhea and breathing fast?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Gastric upset, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by many different things including toxins, raw meat, bones, bacterial infections, viral infections, or simply a food that doesn't agree with the body. Other possible causes include IBD, food allergies, and cancers in the gut. If she has a bit of diarrhea and GI upset, but is otherwise normal, eating/drinking well, and has good energy, then she likely just ate something that upset her stomach. I recommend that you feed her a bland diet of boiled/boneless/skinless chicken breast and boiled rice, in small frequent meals for the next 3 days. After this re-introduce a good quality kibble. If the diarrhea gets bloody, she stops eating, is vomiting, or weak and lethargic, then bring her to the vet for bloodwork and x-rays. Best of luck with Daisy! I hope she feels better soon!

Poor guy. It sounds like your pet Shiro has a bout of colitis (inflammation of the colon) which can often be caused by intestinal parasites. I would highly recommend having him seen by your vet soon for a fecal exam and medications to help resolve his colitis. Only antibiotics can help resolve this in most cases, which has to be prescribed by your vet. Until you can get him seen you can start a probiotic with him, such as Culturelle over the counter or Fortiflora. This can help with some of the inflammation by restoring the good intestinal flora. I hope that your furry friend Shiro feels better soon! Best of luck and take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Takoda! Causes of diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion (ate something gross), pancreatitis, toxin ingestion, medications, food allergy/intolerance, new treat/food/table scraps. The straining is due to inflammation and that he feels like he has to defecate but there is little to no stool left. The scooting can be from anal irritation, stool stuck to his anus (check and clean) or his anal glands are full If the diarrhea is bad, then I recommend fasting him for 12-24 hours to rest his GIT and to stop adding "fuel to the fire." Then start a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day until 2 normal stools. If the diarrhea continues, he stops eating or starts vomiting he should see your Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Takoda a speedy recovery!

Hello. This may have been a one off episode of diarrhea, only time will tell. I would stop all treats, table scraps, dental treats, rawhide snacks, etc. for the time being, & just feed his regular diet. If he has an appetite, but has another bout of diarrhea, then start him on a bland diet of 75% cooked white rice ( not Minute or instant rice ) & 25% plain cooked chicken or a little low fat cottage cheese. Feed this for a couple of days to see if the diarrhea resolves, then reintroduce the normal diet. If Paco stops eating, starts vomiting, or the diarrhea just will not resolve, please see your veterinarian for further diagnostics. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would suspect both the heavy running and bone may have upset his stomach. Heavy breathing can be a sign of pain coming from his stomach and intestines, or he may have a lung issue if the breathing is labored and making it hard for him to get in enough oxygen (Blue tongue, gasping for air, congested airway, etc). If he seems to be getting enough oxygen then he is likely just painful and this is likely the cause of his panting. You can try feeding him a bland diet of boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese for a few days, along with Culturelle (probiotic) over the counter to see if this improves his loose stool and discomfort. Also 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin can help solidify the stools as well. If he does not improve or at any point seems to get worse within the next 24-48 hrs then it’s best to take him to your vet for further care. Usually a short course of antibiotics along with the probiotics and bland diet are all that’s needed for uncomplicated cases of stomach upset. I hope that your pet Jay Junior is able to make a full and speedy recovery from his illness. Best wishes and take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Shark bite! It sounds like Shark bite has an upset stomach. I am assuming the stool is diarrhea since he is going every 2 hours. Diarrhea is associated with urgency and straining. Causes of vomiting and diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, food allergy/intolerance, new food/treat/table food, pancreatitis, toxin ingestion, medications. Sometimes we never know the cause. Since he vomited and the diarrhea is severe I would fast him for 12-24 hours. Food just adds fuel to the fire. After the fast start a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day until 2 normal stools. If he continues to vomit, stops eating, the diarrhea doesn't improve or blood appears in the stool he should be seen by your Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Shark bit a speedy revoery!

Poor Cindy! It would be the stress of being on the road with you causing the diarrhea, or if you are giving her human treats on the trip, that could be causing the diarrhea as well I am concerned about her fast and irregular breathing, and that could be a sign of pain or a respiratory infection. If that continues for another 24 hours, I would find a vet to see her. It could also be a sign of stress from being in the truck, but in my opinion, it would be best for her to have that checked out by a vet if it continues to be safe. As for the diarrhea, go to the grocery store and get some plain deli chicken (no flavors) and microwaveable white rice. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed her this bland diet of the chicken and rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days, Slowly add back in her normal diet after this if the diarrhea has cleared up. If the bland diet doesn't help the diarrhea, then she needs to see the vet. Be sure not to give her any human food in case that's upsetting her stomach.