Frenchie Diarrhea.
Causes, Treatment, and Symptoms.
What Causes Diarrhea in Frenchie Puppies?
Diarrhea is one of those frustrating symptoms for owners because it can mean that your Frenchie has anything from a potentially lethal virus to simple indigestion. Any pet owner who has googled “puppy diarrhea” is well aware that many serious and minor puppy ailments list diarrhea as a symptom, making it hard for owners to determine what is serious and what is not.
Don’t panic. Despite the endless lists of horrifying diseases out there, there are six main causes of diarrhea in puppies that you need to know about:
1.Diet change or food intolerance– A simple food change could be the easy trick. I ALWAYS recommend no chicken based and grain free does best for french bulldogs. My Frenchie’s always eat a turkey, or fish based diet.
2.Bacterial infection- Puppies have more delicate immune systems than adult dogs, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial infections. Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium, and other bacteria can cause puppy diarrhea.
3.Viral infection-Perhaps the most worrying cause of puppy diarrhea is a viral infection. The parvovirus and distemper virus are both potentially fatal diseases that affect unvaccinated or partially vaccinated puppies. Always consult a vet.
4.Ingestion-Puppies eat things that they are not supposed to. From garbage to poisonous plants, if your french bulldog can reach it, chances are he’ll try and eat it. Consuming garbage, especially garbage full of food, often leads to puppy diarrhea, and in some cases can cause blockages that require veterinary intervention to resolve
5.Parasites-All breeds of young puppies are prone to parasites. Whether they are born with parasites or pick them up from the environment, parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia all cause diarrhea in puppies and all require veterinary attention.
6.Stress/ Adjusting to new environment– Sometimes the reason behind puppy diarrhea is simple. Stress can cause diarrhea in dogs just like it does in humans, and puppyhood is certainly a stressful time. Your puppy is constantly meeting new people and exploring new things, and adjusting to the routine of your household is sometimes enough to trigger stress-related diarrhea by itself.
Most cases of puppy diarrhea are not severe. However, if your French Bulldog has any of the following symptoms, call your vet immediately:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Black, tarry stools
- Fever
- Pale gums
- Discomfort or pain
- Vomiting
- If you think your dog swallowed a foreign body or toxic substance
- The diarrhea has been going on for more than one day
Preventing Diarrhea in French Bulldogs
Most cases of diarrhea in puppies are preventable. Here are some tips to help keep your Frenchie’s digestive system working smoothly:
- Transition your puppy to a new diet slowly
- If your puppy is in a kennel with other dogs, keep the facility clean and use the right disinfectants
- Vaccinate your puppy at the appropriate ages and keep unvaccinated puppies away from unvaccinated dogs and public places like dog parks and kennels
- Kennel your puppy when he is not supervised to prevent accidental ingestion of garbage and toxins
- Talk to your vet about parasite prevention, and pick up after your dog
Diarrhea is your puppy’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. Whether it is an upset stomach or a viral infection, observing your puppy’s bowel movements is one of the best ways owners can monitor their puppies’ health on a daily basis.
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