Has your husky been defecating uncontrollably in a concerning manner? Like humans, dogs can develop what is known as diarrhea, which most people are familiar with. This condition can go from being a mild inconvenience or a sign of much severe disease. So that means being familiar with the signs and symptoms of diarrhea can save your dog’s life.
That is not to say that your husky already has an underlying condition you should fret about. It is essential to trace your steps back to its activities in order to deduce the reason. With this, you must have the information necessary to help you wrap your head around the situation.
In this blog, we will be dissecting why your Husky has diarrhea. We will talk about the reasons, symptoms, remedies, and preventions you can do for this condition. But first, we need to be acquainted with diarrhea and the signs of its presence.
Signs Of Diarrhea For Huskies
These symptoms can vary and may exist outside or within the causes.
🐕 Loss of appetite
If your husky suddenly loses its enormous appetite, it may be an early sign of an upset stomach. This discomforting feeling is usually what they will start to feel as the condition begins seeping in. Usually, your dog will ignore its food or lack the usual enthusiasm it displays when you serve the food. You should take note that it is not common for dogs to lose interest in food, especially if it is what they regularly enjoy eating.
🐕 Vomiting
The discomforting feeling of an upset stomach can eventually cause nausea. Nausea is that sick feeling when you just rode a rollercoaster or a spinning ride at the carnival. Of course, the next apparent phase of nausea is the urge to vomit almost uncontrollably. This is what your husky feel as this symptom starts kicking in.
🐕 Heaving
Do you know the feeling of accidentally hitting your gag reflex while brushing your teeth? The action you’re most likely to do next is called dry heaving. Basically, it is the body attempting to vomit, but it is “dry,” or no vomit is ejected. If you see your husky doing this, you have to consider that it may be a part of diarrhea, especially if they haven’t shown signs of nausea yet, as this may be an even earlier sign.
🐕 Painful stomach
The stomach of the Husky may appear more stiff than usual. The Husky may also avoid physical contact at this point as its stomach will be sensitive to touch. Signs of being hurt are also present, such as lethargy, their ears being held back, and unusual behavior. Some huskies may even become aggressive or agitated due to the varying degrees of pain they may be feeling.
🐕 Lethargy and Inactivity
If your Husky is energetic and playful, it may be concerning to see them suddenly become lethargic. Usually, they will stay at their usual spot for long periods of time and will avoid interaction. They may also refuse to move positions or do any kind of physical activity during this time. Lethargy is caused by the pain and discomfort that they are currently experiencing.
🐕 Drooling
Drooling is another side effect of nausea, which will be present alongside vomiting. Because the Husky is disoriented, it may start drooling uncontrollably. They are pretty much not conscious of what they are doing. Drooling is also caused by either dry heaving or vomiting as the body is attempting to get rid of digestive materials inside.
🐕 Abnormal Changes In Temperature
The Husky may either develop fever or hypothermia during this stage. The internal changes occurring within the body will start to affect its temperature. If your Husky’s temperature goes below 101 or above 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, it may be a sign of an abnormal temperature. Keep in mind that this is affected by environmental factors, however.
🐕 Abnormal Bowel Movement
The dog may start urinating and defecating excessively because of diarrhea. The Husky’s poop will usually appear watery or become comparable to a pudding. It is more liquid-like than usual and will usually come in small but frequent amounts. This symptom basically confirms that your dog does have diarrhea.
🐕 Dehydration
The dog will lose a lot of fluids because of excessive defecation. Water is vital for a creature’s survival, and losing too much can make them reach a critical state. They also can’t drink as much as usual because of their lethargy and loss of interest in food and water. There are signs of dehydration you should watch out for. Listed below are some of the symptoms of dehydration:
>Dry eyes
<Pale gums
>Saliva that has thicker volume
<Panting
>The other signs and symptoms mentioned above
More Progressive Symptoms Of Diarrhea
These are the symptoms that can be considered signs of progressed diarrhea. This is what usually happens when your Husky is left untreated for long periods of time.
🐕 Weight Loss
The dog will lose a certain amount of weight due to appetite loss and dehydration. Because of Husky does not have the proper sustenance it needs, its body will start using its own mass for nutrients. This can be dangerous if excessive amounts of weight become lost due to diarrhea. You should have already brought your dog to the vet before this happened, as this effect can lead to malnourishment.
🐕 Blood In Their Stool
This is usually caused by other conditions such as bacterial infections. The intestinal damage can cause bleeding, which can eventually make its way to the Husky’s droppings. This may also be a warning of a much more severe condition, such as cancer. It can also be caused by the consumption of foreign objects that may have damaged the Husky’s intestinal walls.
🐕 Seizures
More progressive causes of diarrhea can eventually lead to seizures. This is especially true for specific conditions such as parvovirus, distemper, and cancer which can all cause seizures. If these illnesses had caused your Husky’s diarrhea, it could eventually be accompanied by this symptom as its body moves uncontrollably. Seizures are usually a sign of a severe or even fatal condition so bring your husky straight to the vet clinic if it appears.
Possible Causes Of Your Husky’s Diarrhea
Below are the possible causes of your dog’s diarrhea, along with the symptoms that usually come alongside them.
🐕 Parvovirus
This disease is highly contagious among all kinds of dogs. In the event that the proper treatment is not provided immediately, the virus can become highly lethal. You can minimize it by vaccinating your husky as a puppy. Symptoms can include the symptoms mentioned above. Typical symptoms include loss of appetite, confusion, seizures, and vomiting.
🐕 Poisoning from food
Some foods contain potentially harmful bacteria. This will result in infections in the Husky’s intestine. They will eventually cause changes in your Husky’s bowel movement, which causes diarrhea. As previously mentioned above, this can also lead to bloody diarrhea. Typical symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, agitation, and bloody stools.
🐕 Motion sickness in trips
This is especially common for huskies who have never traveled before. Dogs, like humans, can become nauseous as a result of sudden movement. Elevated levels of stress and uneasiness can eventually lead to diarrhea. Lethargy, drooling, disorientation, and nausea are common symptoms.
🐕 Consumption of hazardous substances
If your Husky is left alone for an extended period of time, he or she may inadvertently consume something. Some of these objects can pass through the Husky’s intestines and end up in his excrement. However, some of them have the potential to obstruct the intestinal lining. This can cause the digestive process to stall, resulting in an upset stomach, leading to diarrhea. Loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain and swelling, dehydration, and weight loss are common symptoms.
🐕 Cancers
Dogs, like humans, can develop cancers in their abdomen. Cancers that have progressed can cause symptoms to emerge. There is currently no known full-proof treatment for cancer, nor is there a 100% preventive measure. It usually develops with age and the Husky’s genetics. Typical symptoms include a loss of appetite, vomiting, bloody stool, seizures, weight loss, lethargy, and pallor.
🐕 Ulcers
Infection usually causes ulcers in your Husky’s stomach. This is also observed in humans who develop stomach ulcers. This can progress to intestinal trauma, which can eventually lead to bloody diarrhea. It also makes the intestines prone to severe pain and infection, which is the leading cause of diarrhea due to ulcers. Typical symptoms include vomiting, bloody stool, agitation, and loss of appetite.
🐕 Excessive gas
Like those found in humans, digestive gases can accumulate if they are unable to exit the body. When these gases build up, dogs’ stomachs can become bloated. This can also happen after a lot of eating, especially if you’ve been fasting for a long time. Typical symptoms include lethargy, agitation, and abdominal swelling.
🐕 Side effects of medication
Medications such as Rimadyl and other anti-inflammatory drugs can cause diarrhea for dogs. Certain medications like these can trigger digestive discomfort and unusual bowel movement. Usually, these said symptoms would go away on their own once the medication’s period of use is over. However, it is not very common for dogs to have bloody diarrhea because of drugs. If this ever happens, you should see a vet immediately.
You may also consult your vet for alternative medications that do not cause diarrhea. You may also ask for some medicine that can repress the side effect of diarrhea caused by the other treatment. It would help in this case if you were also wary of allergies’ signs and symptoms, as your husky may be allergic to that specific medicine. Typical symptoms include uneasiness, stomach ache, discomfort, and heaving.
🐕 Stress
During stressful situations, a chemical is known as norepinephrine is being released around the dog’s body. This response can raise the Husky’s heart rate, alertness, and a much faster metabolic rate. The digestive system is also affected, wherein it speeds up digestion to supply more energy to the body. Because of this, stress can actually cause your husky to have diarrhea out of the blue suddenly.
If your husky suddenly hears loud sounds such as the horn of a car or fireworks, it can trigger a lot of stress. Dogs’ ancestors are naturally alert in the wild due to looming dangers, which is an instinct inherited by their modern-day descendants. Knowing what your dog is afraid of can help relieve and prevent this from happening. Typical symptoms also include uneasiness, behavioral changes, lack of appetite, and agitation.
🐕 Sudden changes in diet or food intolerance
Sudden changes in your Husky’s diet can cause an upset stomach which can eventually lead to diarrhea. There is also the chance that the new food you are currently feeding them is actually a part of their allergies. If you changed your Husky’s diet and they suddenly have diarrhea, this may be the culprit. This is especially true if your Husky went from a dry kibble diet to a wet canned food diet. Typically, it is not accompanied by other symptoms except for an upset stomach or changes in the way they eat.
🐕 Worms
This is not for the made-to-feel-sick, as we are dealing with certain uninvited guests here. Worms are typically easy to get rid of in dogs, as long as they have regular deworming. Unfortunately, long periods of lack of deworming can eventually cause these guests to propagate. They can cause a lot of discomfort for your husky, and most likely, for you too.
As disgusting as it may sound, you may see worms on your Husky’s soft stool. If that is the case, it may be time to visit the vet for deworming. However, it is usually a good thing that the worm is being ejected out of the Husky’s body. It is typically a sign that the medication is working, and the worms start to exit the body and to the ground where they belong. Typical symptoms include stomach ache, discomfort, lethargy, fur changes, and sometimes vomiting and nausea.
🐕 Temperature changes
This change is usually harmful if your Husky is placed at a hotter temperature. Although huskies adapt to temperatures pretty well, they can still be affected by excessive heat. If they just ate and went to a hot place, it may interfere with their digestion and cause diarrhea. Some huskies may also have a heatstroke which can cause uncontrollable bowel movements and drool.
If you see these symptoms while your Husky is exposed to heat, bring them to the vet immediately. However, it is also worth mentioning that if the Husky has hypothermia due to diarrhea, keep them out of the cold. It would help if you had proper climate control around your house as huskies are sometimes sensitive to temperature. Typical symptoms of heat stroke include panting, disorientation, loss of consciousness, and swelling gums.
What Is The Most Common Cause Of Diarrhea For Dogs?
The most common cause of diarrhea for all dogs, in general, is the consumption of harmful materials. Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and your Husky is definitely not an exception. The garbage may look like a tasty snack to your husky, and you never know what they will do with it next. Your Husky is not conscious of eating, so you can’t blame them exactly.
Your duty as their owner and paw parent is to supervise them in these situations. Specifically, when you go outside or introduce them to a new area, that’s the time when they are most curious because we humans are fortunately conscious and smart enough to differentiate what should and should not be eaten by our pets.
Methods To Treat Your Husky’s Diarrhea
🐕 Selective Fasting
Allow your husky to fast for 24 hours to alleviate some of the symptoms. This allows their digestive system enough time to digest everything the dog ate. It is advised to consult a veterinarian if the symptoms do not resolve within 24 hours. This should not be applied to water, too, however.
Make sure your dog is drinking small amounts of water consistently even if they lack the interest to. If they haven’t drunk for long periods of time, take them to the vet immediately. This is especially true if they start showing signs of dehydration, which can be seen in the earlier sections.
🐕 Giving Cold Water to Them
Coldwater may aid in the relief of pain or inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Fill a bowl with ice cubes or pour some from the fridge. Make sure your dog does not accidentally consume the ice cubes, as this could worsen their condition. However, this is not recommended for huskies who developed hypothermia or low temperature. This can soothe their condition but make sure you properly serve this to them.
🐕 Giving Your Husky a Bland Diet
A diet must be based primarily on rice and chicken (without skin or bone). This will keep your husky nourished while preventing additional inflammation. This, however, may not be effective for dogs who have lost their appetite. Giving foods that are too hard to huskies who have intestinal conditions can cause their condition to worsen.
It can also regress their recovery as they need soft food for their intestines at that stage. It is not only affordable, but it is definitely safe for your husky as long as you serve it right. You should make sure that you remove the skin and bone of the chicken before feeding it to them to prevent the complex parts from being eaten.
🐕 Pumpkin Use
For this method, it is recommended that you use canned pumpkins. Because pumpkin is easily digestible, your husky will be able to stay nourished even while the effects are taking effect. In cases of gas, obstructions, or food poisoning, the pumpkin digestion process may also help relieve inflammation. Just ensure there are no additives in the pumpkin.
Some ingredients may aggravate the symptoms over time. This can be not easy if your dog does not accept the food you are giving. However, with the help and supervision of a vet, you can possibly make the dog ingest the soft food. It can also act as both a treatment and prevention as it can prevent diarrhea from occurring in the first place. As for the reason why this works, it could be because of the fiber and hydration the pumpkin provides.
🐕 Probiotics
Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that can help soothe the Husky’s diarrhea and prevent infections. There are several safe options for your dog that you can purchase. This is typically the probiotic that your veterinarian prescribed when your Husky was a puppy. Having a healthy microbiome can prevent infections and digestive complications for your husky. However, it would contribute a lot if you were careful, as some dogs may be intolerant or allergic to certain gut bacteria. Make sure to consult your vet when giving your husky probiotics.
🐕 Giving Them Drinks With Electrolytes
Since your husky lost a lot of fluids because of diarrhea, you should give them electrolytes. These electrolytes are essential for your Husky’s internal bodily functions, and you should keep them hydrated through this method. Usually, there are fluids provided by the vet that contain the necessary amounts of electrolytes.
🐕 Taking them to the veterinarian
If your Husky’s symptoms do not go away or worsen, this is your best bet. Clinical tests will enable your veterinarian to determine how to treat your dog’s upset stomach. Provided below are some of the symptoms to look out for: Excessive amounts of blood in the stool or vomit
>Abnormally High or Low temperature
<Previously mentioned symptoms do not disappear for over 24 hours
>Uncontrollable drooling and disorientation
<Signs of dehydration
>Extended periods of lethargy
How To Prevent Your Husky From Developing Diarrhea
🐕 Supervision
When your Husky is playing outside, keep an eye on what they eat because you can easily arrange for your dog to avoid unwanted consumption when indoors. If you don’t have anyone to look after your husky, you can use pet cameras. It functions similarly to security cameras, and you can access them via an app on your phone.
You can also take notes on your Husky’s behavior during this time. It would help if you also observed their behavior while eating as some foods can cause digestive problems for them. This includes food allergies, which are the most common allergy to dairy, certain types of meat, and seafood. Sudden changes in diet can also trigger diarrhea, so you should have them eat consistent diets.
🐕 Picky Eating
If your Husky is a picky eater, you should be as well (unless it is about healthy food). To avoid inflammations, your husky should eat high-quality food. There’s a chance that whatever you fed your dog already had bacteria in it. So keep an eye out for any signs of deterioration or expiration.
🐕 Make Sure They Drink Consistently
Provide your Husky with clean water that is available all the time. Dehydration can be another cause of diarrhea and is also a side effect of the condition. You should also monitor them if they are drinking enough water on a daily basis.
🐕 Consistent Dose Of Probiotics
Probiotics contain beneficial or “good” bacteria that aid in digestion. Your vet may have given these to your husky since he was a puppy. Give them to your husky on a regular basis, as directed by the vet. These gut bacteria can prevent diarrhea by preventing infections, specific allergies, and even boosting the immune system. These beneficial microscopic allies can improve your Husky’s overall health so make sure to consider them in their diet. Probiotics are especially important during early stages, such as when your Husky was still a young puppy.
🐕 Vet Visits
Vet visits are critical to ensuring your Husky’s health. Annual check-ups are essential, especially for puppies and older dogs. If your husky exhibits any adverse symptoms, please contact or visit your veterinarian Bottom Line These are a lot of ways to prevent and treat diarrhea in huskies. Although it may not always be a severe condition, it is necessary to observe your husky constantly. They cannot communicate their pain and feelings with people cohesively so that you can base their well-being on their behavior. Be there for your Husky for a long, happy, and most importantly, healthy life.
Bottom Line
As you notice, the majority cause of your Husky’s sufferings is about how you take care of your dog. So if you are a newbie Husky owner, it is advisable to consult a vet before taking it to your home. Always observe your dog’s movements because some may be unnecessary but may also be a cause of an underlying condition.
