My 8-week-old puppy has diarrhea and is lethargic. What should I do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kisses! My biggest concern is how young and small Kisses is. With severe watery diarrhea she is at an increased risk for dehydration and low blood sugar. Causes of diarrhea in puppies are: intestinal parasites, viral (parvo or distemper) or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, food allergy/intolerance, reaction to a new food/treat/table food. Sometime we never know the exact cause. Since she is so young and small I would take her to the Vet today. If you can get a stool sample bring it with you. If she isn't up to date on vaccines they may test her for parvo virus. The Vet can send her home with medications to make her better faster. I hope this helps and I wish Kisses a speedy recovery!

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. I recommend that you have Zekie 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!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Koffee! Causes of decreased appetite and diarrhea in a puppy is: intestinal parasites, viral and bacterial infection, food allergy/intolerance, ate something gross, toxin ingestion. Koffee is very young and at 4 weeks of age it is a critical time when sick. Puppies can deteriorate quickly due to dehydration and low blood sugar. Since he is likely unvaccinated and not dewormed, parvo virus and intestinal parasites are high on the list. I recommend taking Koffee to the Vet today. I hope this helps and I wish you and Koffee the best!

Good Evening...thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can tell you are worried about Rio. It can be challenging with these little guys, especially when they are so young because they are more susceptible to disease. The eye discharge, while it looks quite gross, is not of urgent or immediate concern, but does warrant a trip to the veterinarian in the next 24-48 hours if possible. Something relatively easy you can perform is a temperature. If you have a regular digital thermometer (or can purchase one @ a local pharmacy/convenience store) you can take Rio's temperature. You can place the thermometer rectally (ideal) while using vasoline, lubricant, or mild dishwashing or hand soap - be sure the silver part of the tip of the thermometer is completely inserted (insert ~1/2 inch) into the anus. Alternatively, you can take the temperature by laying the thermometer deep under the axillary area (arpit of the front leg) on the skin and laying the leg back down over the thermometer while it is reading the temperature. If it is >102.5, it is indicates he has a fever, which is more concerning in a puppy and requires more urgent attention (either urgent care or a visit to your veterinarian in the morning). If the stools continue to become more loose, please collect a sample and bring the sample to the veterinarian when you schedule an appointment. I hope this helps...

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Coco. Vomiting and diarrhea have many causes including intestinal worms, inflammation, infection, dietary problems (including dietary indiscretion or eating things pets are not supposed to eat, food sensitivities/allergies), ingestion of foreign bodies or exposure to toxins, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, problems in the stomach, intestines, or even problems outside of the intestinal tract/stomach including pancreatitis, kidney/liver problems, metabolic disease (diabetes,etc), endocrine diseases (thyroid or other hormone problems), etc. Usually, in puppies, we worry about intestinal parasites, infection (parvo/coronavirus), foreign body ingestion or dietary indiscretion. A thorough history and physical exam with resultant diagnostics such as fecal tests, blood tests, imaging studies such as x-rays/ultrasound can be done to try to determine what is going on. Puppies should be dewormed starting at 2 weeks of age and then every 2-3 weeks. This should be done multiple times and should continue for 3-4 times after weaning. When puppies nurse, they continue to get infected with intestinal parasites from their mother. Good luck

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Moka is having problems. Yes, any pet that has persistent signs especially vomiting and diarrhea should be evaluated immediately. Once dehydration and electrolyte imbalance develop, they will just continue to get weaker and weaker unless treated. Reasons for vomiting/diarrhea are many and range from intestinal problems or problems with other organs in the body causing the signs. Intestinal worms, dietary indiscretion (eating things she is not supposed to eat), dietary intolerance/sensitivity, a foreign body (especially in younger dogs), infection, inflammation, toxins, pancreatitis, kidney/liver problems, etc. Your vet can do a physical exam and some tests which could include a fecal exam, blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, etc. to try to determine what is causing the problem. Once a diagnosis is made they will advise a treatment plan to address the issue. Your vet can also address the itching of her muzzle and whining which may or may not be related. I hope this is just temporary and it resolves quickly for you and Moka.

It sounds like Moose may have some gastro-intestinal upset. You didn't mention vomiting-- If there's been no vomiting then that is good. However, decreased appetite and the loose stools are concerning. When the colon (large intestine) is inflamed, sometimes they feel like they need to poop even though there isn't anything more coming out. As for what may be causing the GI upset, it could be gastroenteritis which is inflammation of the stomach and or intestines-- this could be from eating something out of the ordinary such as getting into the garbage or eating mulch, etc, or it may be secondary to anything from kidney disease to cancer. I don't see Moose's age listed; if he is older, the concern that there is a more serious underlying problem is higher. If he is a younger dog, gastroenteritis is more likely. Since he seems lethargic, I strongly recommend that you take him in to the vet at your first convenience. If the lethargy is getting worse, or if he starts vomiting or having blood in the stool or vomit, seek emergency care. If you are unable to take him to the vet, you can offer a bland diet (boiled chicken and white rice) for a couple of days and see if that helps. If it is not improving, please get him in for an exam. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!