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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.
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.
Why Is Your Dog Pooping Blood?
Seeing blood in your dog’s poop is alarming, and it can be caused by many different things.
What is causing my dog’s diarrhea?
Dogs can develop diarrhea for any number of reasons including stress associated with travel, significant changes in their routine or staying at a pet boarding facility. In instances like these, your dogs diarrhea should clear up after a day or two. However, this condition can also be a sign of infection or illness affecting your dogs gastrointestinal tract. This can include food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal parasites, internal injuries and more.
When you notice your dog has developed diarrhea, keep an eye on their behavior and the consistency of their stool over the course of the next day or two. If their bowel movements dont return to normal or if they seem lethargic, skittish or otherwise “off,” then its time to bring them in to your Plains vets office. One of the most worrying signs that something is wrong with your dog is if you notice blood in their stool while they are experiencing diarrhea.
What causes Bloody Poop in Dogs? | Veterinary approved
If you think your dog is pooping with blood in his stool, you’re likely to understandably be alarmed! When your dog has blood in his stool, this may be caused by a wide range of ailments. Let us help you discern what may be the cause if in doubt, consult with your vet first.
Determining if it truly is blood and what type of blood you’re seeing can help narrow down the possible causes. First, make sure it is blood and that your pet didn’t eat anything unusual that contained red dyes. They could possibly be passing something through their digestive system that they ate, like lipstick or a box of red hot tamales (note: do not let your dog eat hot tamales).
If you are unsure, try wiping a bit on a paper towel to get a better look. If you find it is blood, you will want to note the color of the blood and call your vet right away.
There are two types of common issues when a dog has blood in his stool, both of which may mean different causes.
When your dog has bright red blood in his stool, the issue is called hematochezia. A little bit of bright red can be nothing to worry about and might subside on its own. But if you see large amounts of blood, it’s definitely time to call the vet for a consultation. Don’t wait until morning to call.
When combined with lethargy and vomiting, bright red bloody diarrhea could mean your dog has hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), a severe condition that can be fatal if left untreated. When puppies experience bloody diarrhea, it is possible they have contracted canine parvovirus, which is a potentially fatal viral disease.
The consistency of stool along with the presence of bright red blood can also give some telltale signs of where the root problem is stemming from. If your dog’s stool is normal in consistency and coated with an outer layer of red blood, this could mean that the problem is coming from a low area in the intestinal tract. Diarrhea and soft feces with red blood mixed in may mean that the issue is coming from higher in the intestinal tract.
Should you see stool that is dark, blackish-red, and tarry, this means the blood has spent a lot of time in the intestinal tract or has been digested. The issue is either close to or within the stomach. This type of blood in a dog’s stool is called melena and can be difficult to notice for some. If you see radical changes in your dog’s stool, it is best to call your vet just in case it is something serious.
If your dog or puppy has contracted parvovirus, you certainly don’t want to inadvertently infect other dogs with this deadly disease. Your vet’s office will take precautions to minimize the spread of disease while treating your dog.
Parvovirus is a disease that every dog should be vaccinated against. Be sure to get your puppy with a healthy immune system vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies as soon as they are 6-8 weeks old. These core vaccinations will help keep them safe from infection when they socialize and interact with other animals.
Be sure to monitor your animal for other symptoms your dog has that occur simultaneously. The symptoms may be an indicator to your vet and help them determine why your dog has blood in his stool. Always call your vet ahead of time instead of bringing them straight to the vet, though if this is an emergency, please find your nearest animal urgent care or 24-hour emergency animal hospital.