This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Diarrhea is the passing of loose or liquid stool, more often than normal.
Diarrhea can be caused by diseases of the small intestine, large intestine or by diseases of organs other than the intestinal tract. Your ability to answer questions about your pet's diet, habits, environment and specific details about the diarrhea can help the veterinarian narrow the list of possible causes, and to plan for specific tests to determine the cause of diarrhea. Small intestinal and large intestinal diarrhea have different causes, require different tests to diagnose and are treated differently. The pet doesn't strain or have difficulty passing stool. Animals with small intestinal disease may also vomit and lose weight.