My puppy has diarrhea, won't eat, and seems sick. When to see vet?

Hi there. Dogs can certainly get a minor upset stomach due to an infection or something they ate, but this should normally resolve within 24 hours. Since Brutus has been sick for three days now, I would definitely recommend having him seen, as this may be a more serious problem. He may have a GI problem such as pancreatitis or a foreign body in his intestines, a systemic illness like liver or kidney disease, or may have ingested something toxic. Your veterinarian can do blood work and x-rays if needed to help diagnose the problem and get him started on appropriate treatment.

It always concerns me when young puppies get lethargic. Puppies are more susceptible to the effects of dehydration and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) than adult dogs, so diarrhea is more serious for Wallace than it would be for an adult dog. If he's back to acting normally, eating, drinking, and doesn't have further diarrhea or vomiting, it's perfectly fine to continue monitoring him at home. However, if he remains lethargic, has more mucousy diarrhea, begins to vomit, or refuses to eat or drink normal amounts, then you should have him examined by his vet. Your vet will need to do a physical exam. Depending on their suspicions based on their exam findings, they may recommend some diagnostic testing or may opt to start him on some medications. Possible causes of this type of issue include stomach upset from a virus, intestinal parasites, among many other issues. If your vet finds that Wallace is dehydrated, they'll also be able to give him some fluids. I hope that he feels better soon!

Unfortunately, this is not normal behavior for a young puppy and is pretty concerning. At less than two months old, your puppy needs to eat regularly or he risks having low blood sugar, which can cause serious health problems. Vomiting is not typically caused by stress and all these signs make me worry about a more serious illness. Please have him seen by a veterinarian right away because his lack of appetite and vomiting are very serious.

Poor Rocky! If this has been going on for more than 1-2 days and he's also not eating, then yes - I would definitely recommend taking him to the vet, as these can be signs of a serious problem. Your veterinarian can do a fecal exam for parasites, and may recommend blood work or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem so he can be started on appropriate treatment.

Your pups are so cute! Diarrhea and reduced appetite could be caused by parasites, change in diet, toxin ingestion, infectious viral diseases, blockage in the intestines caused by ingestion of a foreign body, or a mass/growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Parvovirus is also a possibility, particularly in a dog as young as Rocky, as you mentioned he is too young to have had all his boosters yet. Please make an appointment to have Rocky seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration in such a young pup, and can be very dangerous if left untreated. In the mean time, if he is not eating well, you can try boiling boneless skinless chicken in water, shredding the chicken, and feeding her small amounts of the resulting chicken broth and cooked chicken with boiled plain white rice once it has cooled. I recommend taking in a fecal sample from Rocky to your vet as well, as that may aid them in making a diagnosis. Good luck, and I hope he feels better soon!

Poor Sven sounds pretty sick. I'm concerned he's had diarrhea for two days, and is now vomiting. Anytime a dog has diarrhea for more than 24 hours, it's time to see the vet. In addition, because he's showing other signs such as vomiting, that makes it more important that he sees a vet. This can be an indication of whatever is causing his symptoms is getting worse. I would take him into a vet today to get this diagnosed and treated. Best of luck.

Hi there! Sorry to hear that Bruno is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have Bruno evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start him on anti-diarrhea medications. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your boy!