My dog has soft stool and gas. What are the common causes and fixes?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

  Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

  Published on December 3rd, 2017

  Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Other possibilities for these clinical signs include gastroenteritis, colitis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption disease, dietary indiscretion, inflammatory bowel disease, among other possibilities. You can start by trying to change his diet to a sensitive stomach type diet. If no improvement is noted, your veterinarian can try medications for diarrhea such as metronidazole or Tylosin. You can also consider probiotics. If no improvement with these conservative therapies, you would have to consider more diagnostics such as abdominal ultrasound and GI panel. Good luck and have a good night!

  

  4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on April 3rd, 2017

  Poor Walker! It isn't normal for puppies to poop this often or to have such soft, runny stool - so I would be concerned that something is wrong. The most common cause of soft stool like this in a puppy this age is intestinal parasites, so if he hasn't been dewormed recently, this is something you might consider doing.
  
  Other possibilities would include an intestinal infection of some kind, or a food allergy or intolerance to something in his diet. If deworming doesn't help, I would recommend taking him to the vet for a check-up. He/she can do a fecal exam or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and get him started on appropriate medication to treat it.

  

  2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Ana M, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on May 18th, 2018

  Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chance. He should see his veterinarian given the blood in his stool. I typically use an antibiotic when this occurs to prevent bacteria from gaining access to the bloodstream. There are numerous causes for soft stool and diarrhea. He could be experiencing stress, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites or another infection or a condition known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Other times the symptoms are treated and the underlying cause is not determined. It is generally safe to withhold food for 24 hours if he is otherwise acting normal. This will rest the GI tract and potentially resolve the diarrhea. Be sure to provide plenty of water so that he does not become dehydrated. I hope this information helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful