How do you treat diarrhea in a puppy?

Home remedies for diarrhea in puppies include medicine, diet changes and good hydration. However, diarrhea in puppies can be a symptom of a fatal condition and the puppy should be taken to a vet immediately, states puppies expert Amy Shojai for About.com.

If the puppy's diarrhea looks black and tar-like, has an extremely foul odor or contains large amounts of blood, take it to a vet right away. Diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite, fever and severe pain are also symptoms indicative of a potentially fatal condition. Waiting to take a puppy that has serious diarrhea symptoms to a vet can result in serious dehydration, which further complicates the digestive problem, explains Shojai.

Vets may recommend at-home treatments for mild forms or diarrhea, such as prescribed doses of Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. These medications can be squirted into the puppy's mouth with a turkey baster. Keeping the puppy hydrated is important. Mix Pedialyte or Gatorade with water to counter dehydration, suggests Shojai.

Providing the puppy with a plain diet helps calm the stomach, says Shojai. Feed the puppy plain cooked rice or noodles with unsalted chicken. For a little more flavor, add in a spoon of plain yogurt or cottage cheese. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt can help restore balance to a puppy's digestive system.