Pet Diarrhea
Diarrhea in pets can be messy, stressful, and sometimes dangerous. While mild cases may resolve quickly, severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and serious complications. At Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital, our experienced team is here 24/7 to determine if your pet’s diarrhea is minor or a sign of something more serious.
Fast diagnosis and treatment
Expert care for digestive emergencies
Clear guidance on what to do next
Compassionate support for you and your pet
IV Fluids & Hydration
Combat dehydration with IV fluids and electrolyte replacement
Rapid Diagnostics
Fecal testing, bloodwork, and imaging to find the cause
Targeted Treatment
Medications, antibiotics, or dietary changes based on diagnosis
Understanding Diarrhea in Pets
Diarrhea is not a disease itself, but a symptom of many possible issues in dogs and cats. Common causes range from dietary indiscretion and sudden diet changes to parasites, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, toxic ingestion, and organ dysfunction. Because diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other serious complications, it’s important to monitor your pet closely and know when to seek urgent care.
When you bring your pet to Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital for diarrhea, our team moves quickly to identify the underlying cause through a full physical exam, fecal testing, bloodwork, X-rays or ultrasound, and viral testing if needed. Pinpointing the problem helps us provide the best treatment for your pet’s recovery.
Get Help Now
Pet owners often wonder when diarrhea requires urgent care. While mild cases may resolve on their own, certain red flags mean your pet needs veterinary attention right away: diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours, blood in stool, frequent watery diarrhea with no improvement, vomiting combined with diarrhea, severe lethargy or collapse, refusal to eat or drink, signs of dehydration (dry gums, sunken eyes, weakness), or abdominal bloating or pain. If you’re uncertain, call us immediately. Our veterinary team can help you decide whether to bring your pet in right away.
Lasting more than 24 hours
Blood in stool or vomiting
Signs of dehydration or severe lethargy
What Pet Owners Say About Our Care
Families throughout New Market and surrounding areas trust Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital for urgent pet care. Pet owners rely on our emergency team for reliable medical care, honest guidance, and steady support during stressful moments. Our commitment is to treat every emergency with the urgency, professionalism, and compassion it deserves.
Got Questions?
Why is my dog or cat having diarrhea?
Diarrhea can be caused by dietary changes, eating something inappropriate, parasites, infections, or more serious medical issues like inflammatory bowel disease or organ dysfunction.
When should I worry about pet diarrhea?
You should worry if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, contains blood, is paired with vomiting, or your pet becomes weak, dehydrated, or refuses to eat.
Is diarrhea in pets always an emergency?
Not always. Mild cases may resolve quickly, but severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to dangerous dehydration and should be treated promptly by a veterinarian.
Can I treat my pet's diarrhea at home?
You can sometimes manage mild cases by withholding food for 12–24 hours and offering water. However, ongoing or severe diarrhea requires veterinary care to identify and treat the underlying cause.
Don't Wait. Get Help Now.
If your dog or cat is experiencing diarrhea and you’re concerned, don’t wait. Our emergency team is ready to diagnose and treat your pet promptly.
