[SOLVED ] Q. Hi my Yorkie appears to be onstipated she has not passed any stools for one & half days .. Today she has slept all day not eaten or had any....

Water

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. Constipation can be a consequence of dehydration and anorexia. There is probably an underlying problem causing it. I would suggest that you have her checked over.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Constipation in dogs should not be ignored, as if left untreated it can lead to more serious issues. If your dog hasn`t pooed for more than 24 hours be sure to get it checked out by your vet. If you`re worried about your constipated dog call your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now.

In most cases, healthy dogs without any underlying health conditions can go 48 hours without pooping (and sometimes longer) without any cause for serious concern. There`s no hard and fast rule, but many veterinarians will recommend an exam if your dog goes more than 48 to 72 hours without pooping.

Adding fiber to your Yorkie`s diet will help. This can be done by adding 1 teaspoon of oat bran to each meal or by adding 1 teaspoon of 100% pure pumpkin (real pumpkin, not the pie filling) to each meal.

Signs of constipation include straining, crying, or crouching when attempting to defecate. Also, if it`s been more than two days since he has had a bowel movement, you should see your vet immediately.

Dogs can sometimes hold their poop for a while. If you don`t see your dog poop for 24 hours, don`t panic, but do keep an eye on him. If he goes over 48 hours without pooping, he may be constipated.

If your dog skips a day occasionally, it`s not cause for concern, especially if the poop looks normal. After 48-72 hours without a bowel movement, however, it`s time to call your vet, writes Dr. Ernest Ward DMV. It could the the sign of a serious health condition.

Frequency. The number of times your dog poops each day should be consistent – whether that`s once or four times per day. As long as it is the same every day, there`s no need to worry. Typically, most pups will go once or twice a day – although some may go four or more times!

If you`re wondering whether human foods, like milk, would help your dog`s constipation, Dr. Bullen doesn`t recommend going the dairy route. “Milk may help with passing the stool, but that`s because some dogs` lactose intolerances result in diarrhea and that, in turn ,can lead to dehydration,” Dr. Bullen says.

A small amount of olive oil added to your dog`s food can help lubricate their digestive system, making it easier for your dog to pass stool – like a DIY stool softener! Only use a small amount of olive oil, however. Using too much oil or giving it too frequently can lead to diarrhea in your pup.

Without appropriate and timely treatment, dogs with a complete intestinal blockage will typically see fatal complications within 3-4 days. Given time, some foreign objects can pass on their own.

You can add a small amount (half a teaspoon for small dogs, two teaspoons for large dogs) of olive or coconut oil to their food to help with mild constipation, but be careful in dogs who need a low-fat diet. Lack of exercise is another predisposing factor to pay attention to.

Can Rice And Chicken Constipate A Dog? A chicken and rice diet should not cause your dog constipation if you are giving them the correct recipe, that is the white meat of chicken (without bones) and white rice. Brown rice can be difficult to digest and therefore cause constipation.

Try pure canned pumpkin or a pumpkin powder. Canned dog food—Elevated moisture content of canned food may help regulate the system. Food and herbs, such as ginger, wheat bran, powdered psyllium seeds, and olive oil, may help.

There are, of course, as many reasons why a dog won`t eat as there are causes of constipation itself. Some common causes are stress, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea (yes, diarrhoea can lead to constipation), liver, pancreas and kidney disease, and general unwellness.

While not going can be a sign of a health issue, this isn`t always the case. Some dogs may purposely hold in their business to either prolong time outdoors or simply because of a change in their routine. Loud noises, other animals, or unfamiliar humans near their area of choice may temporarily throw them off.

How long can a dog “hold it” before needing a potty break? Here are common time limits for dogs of different life stages: Puppies: one hour per every month of age (so a three month old puppy can wait three hours to pee) Adult dogs age one year and up: up to eight hours, but ideally no more than six.

In general, dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water (1/8 of a cup) per pound of body weight each day. However, there are many factors that can affect how much your dog will drink, so you should not be restricting your dog`s water intake.

A reasonable rule of thumb is that an adult Yorkie will need around 30 calories per pound of body weight. A puppy could need more like 55 calories per pound and a senior dog 25 calories per pound.

Increasing your dog`s water intake can help to soften their stools and make it easier for them to pass. Dehydration can worsen constipation, so it`s important to make sure your dog is getting enough fluids.

Can dogs take human stool softeners? You should never give your dog human laxatives without consulting your vet first. Laxatives for humans can cause severe symptoms when given to dogs and potentially lead to serious or even fatal reactions.

Massaging your dog`s stomach, back, legs, and butt encourages them to poop if they`re old, constipated, or paralyzed. Lifestyle changes like hydration, a balanced diet, and exercise significantly improve your dog`s gut health.

You could try giving your pup a warm bath to help relax their muscles – this can help to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with constipation.

Dogs cannot drink milk. Do not give your dog regular quantities of cow`s milk since the fat, calories, and lactose can cause many short-term and long-term health issues, including stomach upset, diarrhea, obesity, and pancreatitis.

Yogurt adds good bacteria to the dog gastrointestinal tract that can keep your dog regular and prevent constipation. Give your dog a teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of yogurt daily.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Hi my Yorkie appears to be onstipated she has not passed any stools for one & half days .. Today she has slept all day not eaten or had any. Water

ANSWER : A. Constipation can be a consequence of dehydration and anorexia. There is probably an underlying problem causing it. I would suggest that you have her checked over.

Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Blood in Dog Stool

Q. What should I do with a constipated dog?

ANSWER : A. Constipation can be tricky to deal with, and attempting to find the cause of the constipation can help with long-term relief. It is also good to figure out if your dog is truly constipated (no bowel movements) or if he is instead straining after an episode of a bowel movement (either solid or diarrhea). Dogs that are straining after a bowel movement can appear as if they are constipated, but instead may be having something else going on.

If your dog is constipated, adding in some fiber such as a little pureed pumpkin, or a probiotic such as plain yogurt to meals can help to make the stools easier to pass. However, if there is a stool piece that is currently stuck or lodged, preventing remaining stool from passing, it may need to be removed by your veterinarian before bowel habits can return to normal. Diet changes may also help if digestive issues or a food allergy are causing chronic constipation.

If your dog does not have a bowel movement at all for a few days, or the stools do not improve with an increase in water or supplementation, then it is best to contact your vet for an appointment. Your vet can checkfor any signs of foreign bodies blocking stool, and may also recommend performing an enema to remove any stuck or impacted stools so the body can return to normal.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Constipation Causes and Treatment – pets.webmd.com

Q. Healthy German Shepherd has extremely loose stools once a day. I added 2 spoonfuls of pumpkin puree that hasn’t helped. No diet changes. Any advice?

ANSWER : A. Loose stools can be caused by a number of factors, and the first step is always to bring a stool sample to your local veterinarian to check for anything. Fecal exams can check for common bacteria and parasites in the stool that may cause chronic diarrhea.

Diet problems can also play a factor in loose stool as well as chronic illness. Dogs can be allergic to many different ingredients in the diet, however grains such as corn, wheat and soy products can be the most problematic. Adding a probiotic supplement can sometimes help such as a scoop of plain yogurt ever meal, or commercial product from your vet.

Illnesses and metabolic disorders may also cause chronic loose stools. German Shepherds are prone to a disease called Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency which is a problem with the pancreas (the same organ that dysfunctions in diabetes- however that is ENDOCRINE function in that case) producing enough digestive enzymes. This causes stools that may be loose, discolored grey or yellow and appear very fatty in color. Shepherds can also be prone to chronic small intestine infections that cause loose stool as well. Luckily, treatment for these conditions often just involves adding a daily digestive enzyme supplement to the food, or daily anti-biotic designed specifically for chronic bowel issues.

Read Full Q/A … : Veterinarians

Q. My dog drinks a lot of water, should I worry?

ANSWER : A. Firstly, you should quantify if your dog is actually drinking an excessive amount of water. In a 24 hour period, a dog should drink about 1 fluid ounce (or 30mL) per pound of body weight. Therefore, the recommended amount of water intake (in fluid ounces) equals your dog’s weight (in pounds). For example, if your dog weighs 8 pounds, he/she should drink about a cup of water in a 1 hour period. This will be slightly increased if your dog gets a lot of physical activity or lives outdoors.

You can measure your dog’s water intake the following way: in the morning, measure a specific amount, a little bit more than you think he/she will drink. 24 hours later, measure the remaining amount. If the amount of water your dog drank is significantly greater than it should be, then you should take your dog to a veterinarian.

Causes for mildly increased water consumption include: food changes, increased ambient and body temperature, increased activity, urinary tract infection, and general illness.

Common causes for greatly increased water consumption include: diabetes, urinary tract infection, kidney disease, steroid use, and other systemic diseases. With large increases in water consumption, you will also usually see increased urination. Please take note of urinary patterns to discuss with your vet. Greatly increased drinking and urination is ALWAYS a reason to see a vet.

Read Full Q/A … : Why is my dog drinking more water than usual?

Q. Bowel movement 6 times a day. Stool is soft light brown and white. Sometimes drops of water come out during bowel movement. He seems anxious

ANSWER : A. If your pet is experiencing frequent bowel movements, loose watery stools, or stools that have changed color it is best to contact your local vet. Stools that are watery can indicate many problems ranging from digestive upset, internal parasites or even illness. Color changes in stool can indicate problems such as issues with the pancreas or gallbladder as these two organs contribute enzymes that give stool its brown color. Be sure to bring in a sample (or multiple) of the stool to your vet as this can help them quickly examine it for issues as well as check for common illnesses or parasites.

Read Full Q/A … : Bowel Control Problems (Fecal Incontinence)

Q. My dog is pregnant and I believe is constipated again. What can I feed her to help?

ANSWER : A. If your dog is currently pregnant, it is always a good idea to check with your veterinarian prior to giving any additives or treatments. However, pureed pumpkin can usually be given successfully to help regulate stools. The added fiber in the pumpkin can help to make stools a little easier to pass. A plain yogurt added to the meals may also be safe to give and can give probiotics to the body to make digestion easier and stools more regular. Increasing water intake by adding in a wet food safe for pregnant and lactating dogs can also help bring more water content into the body which can help ease constipation.

In some cases, diarrhea can actually be confused for constipation. Dogs with diarrhea may strain after a movement, which may appear as them straining to get stool out. If you are seeing stool that is soft or loose in addition to straining, then diarrhea instead of constipation may be the cause.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog Constipation Causes and Treatment – pets.webmd.com

Q. My black Moor gold fish has white around his eyes. 1 eye is smaller, he wont eat. We already cleaned tank

ANSWER : A. If the white appears fuzzy or like cotton, it may be a fungal infection. Keep the tank clean. 25% water changes every 2-3 days will help. Visit your local aquarium store and get fungal treatment for fish tanks. Follow directions on the bottle. If the spots appear as dots or grains of salt, it may be a bacterial infection. The pet store should have treatment for that as well. Submit a water sample for water quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or at nominal cost. Poor water quality, overcrowding or overfeeding are the most common cause of illness in fish. Review the tank environment to determine if one or all are contributing factors then take steps to correct them.

Read Full Q/A … : Cloudy Eye Goldfish Problem

Q. Dog- 1.5 yr whippet mix, 30 lbs-ate half an avocado pit 2 days ago. Normal eating and play behavior. Vet says it should pass. How long should I wait?

ANSWER : A. Many times I have seen the pits not pass and cause an obstruction. Did your vet do x-rays? Try feeding a high fiber diet such as canned pumpkin added to his/her regular food and that will help pass. If there is no vomiting then there likely is no obstruction and acting normal is a good sign. Only feed about 1/4 cup canned pumpkin per meal or you may cause some constipation. It should have passed within 2 days. You may have to physically go through the feces to determine if it has passed or not and not just sight.

Read Full Q/A … : When to put a dog to sleep