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My dog has severe diarrhea and seems sick. Is it just a bug?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Great Dane | Male | unneutered | 4 years and 5 months old | 170 lbs

I came home today after work to find 7 different piles of diarrhea throughout my house. My dog is 4 and well potty trained this is unusual I took him for a walk quickly where he had more diarrhea. It took about 2 hours to clean while I was finishing up he had another accident in the house just watery stool. I haven't fed him since 6 this morning it's now 10:30 at night I'm worried he seems down and not happy. What should I do? Just a stomach bug or does it sound like more?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Amy Poole, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 26th, 2017

Poor Remington! I would recommend you take him in to a vet for an exam and treatment. That much diarrhea in a dog is likely not just a stomach bug. I worry that he is getting dehydrated after having that much diarrhea. He may have intestinal parasites, eaten something he shouldn't have and a secondary colitis, or even a bacterial or viral infection. I suspect he needs to have a fecal check done for intestinal parasites as well as started on some medication to calm down and soothe his intestinal tract. I like to feed dogs with an upset stomach either prescription bland food or boiled chicken and rice as it is easily digested. He may need dog probiotics to help replace the good bacteria in his gut as well. Diarrhea is no fun for the dog or for the owner who has to clean it up! I would try to get him seen by a vet and treated as soon as possible to get him back on track as fast as possible.

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