My puppy has diarrhea — how worried should I be?
Puppies dehydrate and crash fast. Bloody diarrhea, lethargy, or a puppy under 16 weeks that hasn't finished vaccinations is a parvovirus red flag.
Tell crittr what's happening
What to watch for
- Bloody or raspberry-jam-colored stool
- Vomiting along with the diarrhea, or refusing water
- Lethargy, sunken eyes, or gums that feel tacky
Common questions
Should I go to the emergency vet right now?
Yes. Based on what you've described, this is the kind of situation where minutes can matter. Call your nearest 24/7 animal ER on the way. If you're not sure where that is, use our free triage chat above — it'll confirm the urgency and surface a local ER in seconds.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Three signs worth watching in the next 24–48 hours: Bloody or raspberry-jam-colored stool; Vomiting along with the diarrhea, or refusing water; Lethargy, sunken eyes, or gums that feel tacky. If any of them show up or get worse, move up one tier (home → vet, vet → ER).
Do I need to pay for a vet visit just to ask?
No. Our triage chat is free — it'll tell you whether a vet visit is actually warranted before you spend anything. If you do need a licensed vet, we connect you to one via Vetster or AirVet in minutes, from your phone.
Can crittr fill a prescription for this?
If a licensed vet prescribes meds during or after triage, yes — Rx orders are routed through our licensed pharmacy partner (Chewy Pharmacy). You can also browse our OTC picks directly; we only stock items our vet advisors actually recommend.