Blood belongs in blood vessels, so when it makes an appearance anywhere else on or around our pets, we worry — and with good reason. Blood in dog stool is a symptom of a wide range of conditions. Some are more serious than others, but knowing what you’re looking at can help you communicate more clearly with your veterinarian.
Blood in Dog Stool
The first thing you should do if you find blood in your dog’s stool, whether the stool is formed or loose (like diarrhea), is to call your veterinarian. Dogs can’t verbalize when they aren’t feeling well. Finding blood in dog poop is alarming, and it’s also a clear sign that something is going on with your pup.
You can save yourself and your veterinarian time by knowing how to describe your dog’s bloody stool. There are two types: hematochezia and melena.
Hematochezia is bright red blood. This type of bleeding occurs in the lower digestive tract or colon and indicates a specific set of conditions.
Melena is a dark, sticky, tarry stool, almost jelly-like. This blood has been digested or swallowed, indicating a problem in the upper digestive tract. You can check whether your dog’s stool contains this kind of blood by wiping it on a paper towel to see if the color is reddish.
Bright Red Blood in Your Dog’s Stool
Bright red blood looks dramatic, but it isn’t always a sign of a life-threatening illness. If you notice a single streak of red blood in your dog’s stool, and the rest of his poop is normal, it might be a fluke. But you should still call your veterinarian. Consistent bleeding or large amounts of blood, on the other hand, indicate a more serious problem.
Here are some of the more common causes of bloody stool in dogs:
- Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- Parasites, such as hookworms
- Trauma
- Toxins
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Anal sac infections or impactions
Severe conditions that can cause bloody stool or bloody diarrhea include viral and bacterial infections, parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and possibly cancer. Your veterinarian may perform a series of diagnostic tests (such as a fecal examination and possibly blood work) to help determine the cause of the bleeding, but if you think your unvaccinated dog may have been exposed to parvovirus, call ahead before you bring him into the emergency room to help the staff limit the spread of infection.
Dark, Tarry Stools
Dark, tarry stools are often more difficult to notice than bright red blood. Some dogs have darker stool than others, depending on diet and other factors. You know your dog’s poop. If it looks darker than normal or shows any major changes in color or appearance, contact your veterinarian.
Possible causes of melena in dogs include:
- Parasites
- Inflammatory disorders
- Infections
- Ulcers
- Tumors
- Foreign bodies and trauma
- Kidney failure
- Exposure to toxins
- Addison’s disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Hormonal imbalances
- Clotting disorders
- Reaction to certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory medications
If your dog is suffering from one of these conditions, he might show other symptoms, as well. Keep an eye out for changes in your dog’s appetite, activity levels, and attitude. Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, weakness, blood in the urine, and difficulty breathing can all indicate serious conditions that require immediate veterinary intervention. If your dog shows these signs for the first time and is on any medication, stop the medication at once and call your veterinarian immediately.
Treatment Options for Bloody Dog Poop
If your dog is suffering from bloody stool, your veterinarian treatments may include:
- Diet change
- Fluids to treat dehydration
- Diarrhea treatment
- Medication
- Anti-parasite treatment
- Surgery
Now that you have a basic understanding of the possible causes of bloody stool and how to describe your dog’s condition, contact your veterinarian. As with all other medical conditions, the sooner you get your dog examined, the better.
Bloody diarrhea is a temporary or chronic ailment in dogs and usually indicates an underlying health issue. There is a wide range of causes of bloody diarrhea, including infection, cancer, ulcers, and stress. A vet will diagnose bloody diarrhea by examining the dog's stool and then determining any possible underlying causes. Treatment depends on the reason for bloody diarrhea, and the prognosis is relative to its severity; it can be resolved with medication or potentially surgery.
What Is Bloody Diarrhea?
Bloody diarrhea (hematochezia) is the mixture of loose, watery stool and blood. The blood can enter the stool at any point in the digestive process, beginning in the mouth and ending at the anus. If your dog has bloody diarrhea, it is likely to be experiencing an underlying infection, disease, or gastrointestinal injury.
Symptoms of Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs
Bloody diarrhea is usually symptomatic of another underlying health problem.
Symptoms
- Blood in stool
- Blood in vomit
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
Blood in your dog's diarrhea can be attributed to many illnesses. If the blood has been partially digested, it will resemble coffee grounds and suggest an issue in the lower intestines. If the blood is from the upper intestine or colon, it will look streaky and red. Tarry, dark blood in diarrhea is likely the result of bleeding in the stomach. There may be other, non-specific symptoms accompanying your dog's bloody diarrhea, but they will be relative to the condition causing diarrhea. Visit your vet as soon as you notice blood in your dog's stool.
Causes of Bloody Diarrhea
Many things, ranging in severity, can cause bloody diarrhea in dogs.
- Stress: Stress can cause a dog's bowels to leak excess fluid and blood from inflammation. This is often referred to as stress colitis and is often accompanied by ulcers. Any inflammatory condition affecting the bowels can cause bloody diarrhea.
- Intestinal Parasites: Worms and protozoa, such as hookworms and Giardia, can cause bloody diarrhea. Parasites often feed off and irritate the intestinal wall.
- Bacterial and Viral Infections: Infections like Salmonella, E. coli, and parvovirus, can cause bloody diarrhea.
- Trauma: If a dog experiences an injury or has had surgery on its digestive tract, it may have bloody diarrhea. Bloody diarrhea may also occur when a dog eats an undigestible object and it becomes stuck in the digestive tract.
- Toxins: Ingestion of poisons or food that is considered toxic to a dog may create inflammation and bleeding, leading to bloody diarrhea.
- Anal Gland Problems: Anal glands are located at the sides of the anus, and if they become infected, impacted, or inflamed, blood may be present in the stool. Anytime a dog strains to defecate it could burst small blood vessels around the rectal area.
- Organ disease: Diseased, vital organs may lead to bloody diarrhea. The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion, and bloody diarrhea may result if it becomes inflamed or doesn't work correctly. Severe liver disease and renal disease may also cause bloody diarrhea.
- Cancer: Many kinds of cancer can affect the digestive tract and cause bloody diarrhea.
- Blood clotting disorders: Some dogs with clotting disorders may have blood in their stool.
Diagnosing Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs
A vet will diagnose bloody diarrhea by inspecting your dog's stool. If your vet can only find a small amount of blood, they may perform a test called a fecal occult blood test, which will indicate its presence.
Diagnosing the underlying cause of a dog's bloody diarrhea requires a complete health history review and physical examination, alongside diagnostic tests like blood analysis, urinalysis, imaging, tissue biopsies, and more.
Treatment & Prevention
Depending on the cause of bloody diarrhea, treatments will vary. Surgical intervention may be necessary if a tumor or foreign object obstruction is causing the bloody stool. You may need to make changes to your dog's diet to increase fiber intake or reduce inflammation in addition to administering prescription medication. Fluids and blood transfusions are sometimes necessary for dehydrated or anemic dogs. The treatment plan for your dog's bloody diarrhea will vary widely, depending on its cause.
The best ways to prevent a dog from developing bloody diarrhea are to make slow food transitions, keep foreign objects and toxins out of reach, monitor its stress level, use intestinal parasite preventatives, and have regular check-ups with a veterinarian.
Prognosis for Dogs With Bloody Diarrhea
Generally, bloody diarrhea is highly treatable, but the prognosis varies based on the cause of the illness. Once your dog's underlying health issue has been treated effectively, you must allow its inflamed intestines to rest and heal.
FAQ
How do I treat bloody diarrhea in dogs?
Before you can treat diarrhea, you need to determine the reason for your dog's illness. The cause will determine the cure. Bring your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you notice blood in your dog's stool.
What does bloody diarrhea look like in dogs?
Bloody diarrhea can appear bright red and accompanied by mucous or it can appear dark and tarry. The color of the blood will help your vet diagnose its underlying cause.
How long does bloody diarrhea last in dogs?
The duration of bloody diarrhea depends on its cause and the success of its treatment.
If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.