Puppy Diarrhea

Well this stinks!

We are sorry that you have found yourself here. Maybe you had a bad night and didn't get much sleep. Maybe you had to clean your puppy's crate (again?). Whatever it is, please know we appreciate all you do, including managing diarrhea! 

Aside from diarrhea, if your puppy is otherwise normal and has no other signs of illness, to start things, um, moving in a more solid direction, please evaluate your puppy's stool using the fecal scoring chart below, and then follow the corresponding instructions. 

If your puppy still isn't feeling better after following the protocols outlined here, you can visit your local veterinarian, and we are also here to help. 

So take a deep breath - we've got you. We hope the your puppy is back to sleeping through the night, eating regular kibble, and ready for adventures again very soon! 

Topics covered on this page:

• Fecal Scoring Chart
• Instructions: Puppies with Diarrhea Who Are Otherwise Normal
• Homemade Bland Diet Recipe
• Instructions: Puppies with Diarrhea Who Have Other Signs of Illness
• Veterinary Financial Assistance (VFA) Program Contact Information

How are your poop scoring skills? To ensure we're all speaking the same language, you will need to score the puppy's stools. Diarrhea is defined as two or more #6 or #7 stools (refer to the scoring chart below). If the puppy is not having diarrhea but their stools aren't consistently well-formed, reach out to your GDB support team member. We will need to take different steps than those outlined here.

Chart courtesy of Purina Institute

Step 1

• Is the puppy having diarrhea? Review the Fecal Scoring Chart. Diarrhea is defined as two or more #6 or #7 stools. 
• Is the puppy otherwise normal? Normal is defined as having good energy and appetite, no blood in stool, and no vomiting. 
• If both of the above are true, proceed to the next step.
• If the puppy has other signs of illness, see Instructions: Puppies with Diarrhea Who Have Other Signs of Illness (below).

Step 2
It's time to use the Diarrhea Kit that was provided as part of the Puppy Packet you received when you got your guide dog puppy. The Diarrhea Kit includes:

• Commercial bland diet (kibble)
• Psyllium husk powder (fiber source)
• Probiotic powder

The diarrhea protocol is as follows:

1. Email [email protected] with puppy name, GDB ID#, and date you started the kit. Please also notify your support team member.
2. Stop feeding regular diet and begin feeding the kibble contained in the kit (same #cups/day as regular food) or you may choose to feed a home cooked bland diet (see recipe below). Note: Bland diet refers to either homemade or the kibble provided.
3. Begin probiotic powder. Sprinkle 1/2 packet on meal once per day for 8 days.
4. Offer water regularly.
5. We recommend that you also call your local veterinarian to schedule an appointment for about five days from now; you can cancel if the diarrhea resolves. If you do visit the vet, bring the information from the kit for their review.

Do NOT fast the puppy or give them Pepto Bismol or Imodium.

Does diarrhea resolve within 2-3 days using the bland diet and probiotic from the kit?

• If YES: Continue bland diet and probiotic for 48 hours, then slowly transition to regular kibble using the following ratios/meals: 
  • 3/4 bland diet + 1/4 kibble for 3 meals,
  • 1/2 bland diet + 1/2 kibble for 3 more meals,
  • 1/4 bland diet + 3/4 kibble for 3 more meals.
• If NO: Start adding psyllium powder.
  • Puppies under 30lbs: Add 1/2 tsp to food twice daily. 
  • Puppies over 30lbs: Add 1 tsp to food twice daily.

Does diarrhea resolve (no diarrhea for 12 hours) within 2-3 days on bland diet PLUS psyllium?

• If YES: Continue bland diet + probiotic + psyllium for 48 hours. Continue the full dose of psyllium as you transition back to regular kibble as outlined above. 
• If NO: Notify your support team member and bring puppy to your local veterinarian. Once you are at the vet' s office, call VFA for authorization if treatment will exceed $200.

Does the stool remain normal through the transition back to regular kibble?

• If YES: Yay! If the puppy had psyllium powder added to their diet, taper off psyllium gradually over 1 week after the puppy is fully transitioned to regular diet.
• If NO: If diarrhea returns during the transition or as you reduce psyllium, notify your support team member and bring puppy to your local veterinarian. Once you are at the vet's office, call VFA for authorization if treatment will exceed $200.

Ingredients

• Cooked white rice.
• Choice of protein: boiled skinless chicken breast, ground turkey or beef, or low-fat cottage cheese.

Instructions

• Combine 3 parts rice to 1 part protein.
• Feed a total of 4 cups per day, spread out over 3-4 meals.
• Do not feed exclusive homemade diet for more than 5 days without consulting local or GDB veterinarian.

Signs of Illness include blood in stool, vomiting, lethargy (low energy), fever, whining, inappetence (won’t eat), drooling, or possible/known dietary indiscretion. 

If any of the above signs are present, notify your support team member and bring the puppy to your local veterinarian.

We’re so sorry the puppy isn’t feeling well and hope things improve quickly!

Once you are at the vet's office, call GDB’s Veterinary Financial Assistance (VFA) team for authorization if treatment will exceed $200.