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My Shih Tzu has diarrhea for days and won't eat. When to see vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | spayed | 4 years and 4 months old | 8 lbs

My 3 1/2 year old Shih Tzu has had diarrhea for a few days. It’s not all liquid. I was feeding her chicken and rice, but today she won’t eat. Yesterday she had a good appetite.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 30th, 2018

Since Lacey has lost her appetite and apparently the diet of rice and chicken has not stopped the diarrhea, it is now time to take Lacey to your veterinarian for an exam and treatment. This is likely an infection or more severe condition than just a nutritional diarrhea.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on October 24th, 2017

    Since it has been going on for a week, I would recommend that you have Teddy evaluated by a vet for the diarrhea. Diarrhea in a young dog could be caused by food intolerance or allergies, intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, bacterial or viral infection, stress colitis, among others. Fasting for 24 hours helps with diarrhea because if nothing goes in, there is nothing to come out. This is usually a good option in the first 24 hours of having diarrhea. A bland diet of chicken and rice will help upset tummies while they are healing, but is unlikely to help in this case. A vet can help you evaluate Teddy's recent history to see if there is anything that could have caused the diarrhea, can check for intestinal parasites, and recommend the most appropriate treatment based on their diagnosis.

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 17th, 2017

    a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours is the best first approach you can try. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist more than 48hours vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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