[Michael Romanos]

The second most common reason for people taking their dogs to vets for emergency consultations is; DIARRHEA.

Diarrhea is a sudden onset and short duration (3 weeks or less).
Diarrhea can cause dehydration, electrolyte disturbances and/or acid-base inbalances.
Common causes are:
1. Dietry indiscretion including spoiled ( eg rotten) food, overeating, foreign materials, sudden change of diet.
2. Parasites - roundworms, hookworms, whipworms. Common in young dogs.
3. Bacteria and toxins such as salmonella, campylobacter, eColi, yersinia etc contracted from food (uncooked meat etc), water and fecal material from other infected animals.