Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Is my puppy's diarrhea and eye discharge from new puppy stress?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | English Springer Spaniel | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 14 days old | 42 lbs

My 6 month old has had diarrhea for 3 days and green eye discharge for two. We just introduced a new 8 week old puppy 4 days ago and I'm wondering if this is stress related or something more. His energy level seems fine and he wants to play, but he's more clingy than normal. He has been eating. I haven't fed him after the major diarrhea episodes though. Both puppies are up to date on shots.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on July 3rd, 2018

Stress can certainly cause diarrhea in dogs. If Dex is eating and drinking normally, we will often recommend a bland easily digested diet consisting of ½ cooked white rice and ½ cooked white meat chicken (boiled without any skin or bones). If he does well with a bland diet and his diarrhea resolves, then you can slowly transition back to his normal diet over a few days. Diarrhea that continues for more than a few days, or is associated with blood in the stool, vomiting, lethargy or a poor appetite is a reason for a visit to your veterinarian. There are anti-diarrheal medications that your veterinarian can prescribe and they may also recommend a probiotic to help resolve the diarrhea.
I have attached a couple of links below with more information for you.
Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/
Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/
If the green discharge in his eyes does not resolve in a couple of days, worsens or he starts squinting, I would certainly have your veterinarian examine his eyes to make sure he doesn't need any eye medication.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that he feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on September 7th, 2017

    There can be lots of possibilities for diarrhea in a puppy, including food intolerance, food allergies, intestinal parasites, intestinal foreign body (such as a stick), dietary indiscretion (such as eating something at the park), bacterial or viral infection, stress colitis, among others. I would continue to monitor Cloud for a decrease in appetite or vomiting. If you see these things, or if the diarrhea hasn't improved by tomorrow, I would recommend that he be checked out by a vet. I can't think of any common poisons that would cause only diarrhea and not vomiting or lethargy.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 3rd, 2017

    Vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy are very concerning in puppies as they may be a sign of a potentially life threatening infection - parvovirus. Other conditions such as intestinal parasites, toxin ingestion, foreign body obstruction, or intestinal torsion can cause these signs as well and all require veterinary attention. Puppies can become dehydrated very quickly, and Chewy may need supportive care. I recommend that he is seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, preferably within the next several hours. I hope this helps and that Chewy starts feeling better soon!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My puppy has eye discharge and diarrhea. Is it serious if he's eating?
Poor Finn! Eye discharge is most often caused by an eye infection or a corneal injury such as a scratch or ulcer. Diarrhea in a puppy this age is often caused by intestinal parasites, an upset stomach due to something he ate, or an infection of some kind. I would recommend taking Finn to the vet as soon as you are able to - he/she can do a fecal exam to check for parasites or other problems, and will also examine his eyes to determine what is causing the discharge. The vet will prescribe appropriate medication to treat these issues depending on what is found.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has green watery diarrhea, acts normal. Can I help her at home?
These signs could be compatible with a colitis, which is an inflammation of the last part of the intestine, the colon, usually related to dietary indiscretion. As a first approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Eye problem seems completely unrelated and may be due to a mild conjunctivitis. At the moment you can just clean the eye/s with plain water, removing the discharge. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Is it normal for a new puppy to have diarrhea after coming home?
Diarrhea is a common problem in puppies, and can range from a short duration mild episode to a severe of a serious underlying condition. There are a number of causes of diarrhea in very young dogs, the most common ones include: stress induced, change in diet, Ingestion of a foreign object, parasites and viral infections. If your puppy is having diarrhea, there's no reason to panic as long as the puppy still eating drinking and playful or the diarrhea is very severe. It’s always important to keep a close eye on a puppy with diarrhea, as puppies can get much sicker much faster. If the problem doesn't resolve within a few potty sessions, or the puppy start to show other systemic signs such as vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite you should make an appointment with your veterinarian or local emergency clinic. Bear in mind young puppies can become dangerously dehydrated in 24 hours or less.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog is vomiting and has diarrhea. Stress or did he eat something?
If you caught him chewing on something today, my concern is that he chewed up something else at an earlier time and may have a foreign body or toxicity. Stress can certainly cause vomiting and diarrhea in some situations but in a puppy that is used to being left alone, I am more concerned about foreign body, parasites or viral disease. If he is active and alert you can feed small frequent meals of his regular dog food (just a handful at a time every couple of house) if no vomiting then continue to monitor. But if he is depressed, won't eat or vomits up what he does eat then I strongly recommend a vet visit today. I hope Budleigh is feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My 3-month-old puppy has red eyes and diarrhea. What should I do?
From these pictures, Milos eyes seem normal. However, if you are concerned you can have your veterinarian perform an ophthalmic exam to be sure there is no problem. With regard to the diarrhea, this could be due to a bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection or it could mean that Milo ate something he should not have eaten. You can try putting Milo on a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a few days. However, if the diarrhea does not resolve, you will need to have him examined by your veterinarian.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has diarrhea. Is it stress from the new cat or illness?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Diarrhea can be observed with conditions such as colitis, gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, among many other possibilities. If the new cat is causing him stress then the diarrhea can be stress related. If this continues, I recommend that you have Zeek evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may choose to check for parasites and to start medications for diarrhea depending on the results. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my 3-month puppy sick with diarrhea, eye discharge, and tired?
Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! He is super handsome! Even though he has had vaccines, given his age, he is not completely done with his vaccines and can still get infected with some of these diseases such as parvovirus. I advice that you have Kilo evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. At the very least, they can start him on anti-diarrhea medications and something for nausea as his loss of appetite could be from nausea. In the meantime, keep water available at all times to try to avoid dehydration. Good luck with your pup!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog FoodDog Health & WellnessDog Eye CarePrescription Dog Digestive MedicationsDog Anxiety MedicationDog Ear & Eye CareElectrolytes for DogsDog Ear & Eye MedicineDog Medicine and PrescriptionsDog Dewormers & Worm MedicineDog First Aid & RecoveryPrescription Dewormer for DogsDog Stool Eating DeterrentWet Dog FoodDiuretics for DogsDog Probiotics & Digestive AidsDog Vitamins & SupplementsDog Incontinence & Bladder Control MedicinePrescription Dog Insulin & Diabetes MedicationDog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button