Weaning Diarrhea in Puppies

Introduction

Gastrointestinal diseases are some of the most frequent problems reported in dogs, with puppies being at higher risk of diarrhea than adult animals; about 10-25% of all puppies will have digestive problems at some point in the first year of life. The aim of this article is to review the factors which can affect a puppy’s digestive health and to discuss procedures that will help both manage and prevent this problem. 

Weaning: a critical stage 

Weaning is a critical stage for puppies. From a digestive viewpoint, moving from milk to solid food brings modifications in the digestive mucosal architecture (increased depth of the intestinal crypts), in the transport of nutrients, in enzyme activity (reduced lactase activity and increased amylase and lipase activity), and in the intestinal flora (reduced aerobic bacteria). At the same time, puppies go through an immunity gap when they are refractory to vaccination due to the persistence of maternal antibodies but are susceptible to infections, notably gastrointestinal ones. In addition, separating a puppy from its dam induces considerable stress, which can impact the metabolism, immune system and intestinal function. All these phenomena can explain the higher prevalence of diarrhea in puppies compared to adults.

Weaning diarrhea – the risks

Weaning diarrhea is both a problem for puppies and a risk to public health. Diarrhea may reduce growth rates and increase the risk of mortality — gastrointestinal problems can be the prime cause of death in dogs under a year of age — and it is essential to treat all animals presenting with a digestive disorder rapidly and effectively. Moreover, digestive complaints also represent a public health risk; some of the infectious agents excreted by diarrheal puppies are potentially zoonotic, e.g., Giardia duodenalisand Toxocara canis. The veterinarian’s role in both preventing and treating these diarrheas is therefore crucial. 

Defining diarrhea

Beyond a subjective analysis of what might classify as a “soft stool”, the first difficulty is to define what an abnormal stool actually is. Stool quality can be evaluated using a “puppy fecal score”, a visual 13-point scale (Figure 1) where 1 = liquid stool and 13 = formed and very dry stool 7. This scale differs from that used for adults. Physiological variations must be taken into account to define an abnormal fecal score. [...]