Seeing blood spots in your dog’s poop can be alarming. A wide range of different things can cause your dog to poop blood.
This article curated all possible causes of your dog’s pooping blood and various treatment plans & preventions. So, understanding these facts would help you rule out those severe conditions and make your dog feel better. Let us dig deeper into it!
How Does Blood In Dog Poop Look?
If you see blood spots in your dog’s stool, whether the dropping is formed or loose, you should discuss it with your vet if the situation is alarming. But before you read further, you must know how does blood in a dog stool looks like.
There are two types of blood Spots in dog poop: Hematochezia and Melena.
Hematochezia is a bright red blood spot. This type of bleeding happens in the lower digestive tract or colon and points to specific conditions.
If you see a single stripe of red blood in your dog’s stool and the leftovers of his poop are usual, it might be a coincidence. Constant bleeding or large portions of blood denote a more severe problem. Several diseases can generate bloody stool or diarrhea. These are generally viral and bacterial infections, parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and cancer symptoms.
Melena is a dark, sticky, tarry stool. This blood has been digested or consumed, showing trouble in the upper digestive tract.
Some puppies have darker feces than others, depending on diet and other factors. If it looks darker than usual or shows any significant changes in color or appearance, you should contact your veterinarian.
Watch out for changes in your puppy’s appetite, activity levels, and behaviors. Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, tiredness, blood spots in the urine, and difficulty breathing can imply severe illnesses signs and may require immediate treatment.
Causes Of Blood In Dog Stool
Blood in dog stool is not a common disease exhibited by dogs. So one day, if you find out that your dog is pooping out blood in their mucus, there’s definitely something wrong with your dog’s health. There are various causes that lead towards blood in dog’s stool. Let us discover it below:
Parvovirus
It is a severe virus often seen in puppies. Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a contagious virus which can be spread from dog to dog directly or indirectly. Generally, dog parvo signs are; vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and blood spots in feces.
Parasites
Parasites are one of the most general causes of blood spots in the feces. The most common parasites that result in blood in dog’s stool are hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. Aside from blood spots appearing in your pet’s feces, some other clear signs and symptoms indicate that your dog has worms.
Dietary Indiscretions
Overeating or dietary indiscretion may trouble a dog’s colon, resulting in diarrhea and bloody stools. Changes in your dog’s diet can have similar effects. If you switch your dog’s food, do so gradually for several days. If a diet change took place suddenly, vomiting and diarrhea might occur. Even giving your puppy a new treat or offering them human food may result in an inflamed colon. Other dietary reasons for blood in the stool include eating spoiled foods and food intolerances or allergies.
Related: Dog has diarrhea but acting fine
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis includes copious dark, jelly-like, bloody feces with vomiting and diarrhea. The cause often cannot be found, but your puppy may require intravenous fluids and adequate remedies to lower this condition. Affected canines are very sick and can get dehydrated quickly, needing immediate care.
Rectal Injuries
Canines may gradually scratch the lower intestinal lining or rectum if canines ingest a stick, bone, or other sharp objects. Often, you might spot the object visibly protruding from the manure once it has functioned its path through your puppy’s system. In such circumstances, the blood is bright red and will finally stop.
Blood Clotting Disorders
Several canine infections may induce blood clotting disorders and bleeding. Affected puppies may also show signs other than black tarry stools, such as purple-tinted skin, meaning bleeding underneath the surface.
Post-Surgery Complications
Contact your vet instantly if your puppy has recently undergone surgery and has black stools. There may be internal bleeding somewhere. This difficulty may appear up to 72 hours after the surgery.
Other causes include;
- Tumors/Cancers
- Ingestion of Blood
- Intestinal Blockages
- Fissures
- Trauma
Why Is My Dog Pooping Blood And Vomiting?
A dog vomiting and passing blood can be a sign of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or HGE — a potentially life-threatening situation that occurs when large amounts of fluid seep into the gut, and your dog can dehydrate very quickly.
While they could indicate another issue, you should contact a vet right away if your dog is displaying these symptoms, as if your dog does have HGE, they will need urgent treatment.
Related: 5 ways to make a dog poop quickly
What to Do if Dog Is Pooping Blood?
Now that you know the causes and reasons behind this serious condition in your dog, it’s time to know what needs to be done in order to help our canines. The tips include regular veterinary checkups as well as home remedies.
- If your puppy has pale gums, becomes dull, vomits, or has diarrhea, visit the emergency vet at once.
- Carry a fecal sample so your vet can instantly start ruling out parasites and protozoans infections. The stool sample must not be 12 hours old to grant testing accuracy.
- If your dog is dealing with colitis, you can ask your vet about trying a brief fast followed by a bland diet.
- Inspect for any rectal injuries, particularly any involving the anal glands. Look for any localized swelling, wounds, or protrusions.
- Avoid giving your dog sticks or cooked bones for playing. If your dog has already ingested it, try feeding some high-fiber bread or rice to help him pass the bone.
Home Remedies For Blood In Dog Stool
Just to calm you down, there are measures you can take at home as well if the situation is not that worse. Once you see that the problem is minor in your dog, you can treat your pet with home remedies. You should also know that most of the home remedies work just to stop the passing of blood in a dog’s poop and don’t cure any underlying disease.
3 home remedies to treat blood in dog’s poop or stool:
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is a beneficial food for your dog that will help them get some comfort from passing bloody stools. Prepare the broth at home and serve it warm to your dog. The broth will also keep your dog hydrated and soothe their irritated digestive system.
Fasting & Dieting: It might seem ineffective at reading, but keeping your dog on a 24 hours fast can do wonders for you. This will help your dog’s digestive system in cooling down and will stop them from passing any bloody stool. However, fasting is not recommended for smaller puppies as they need proper meals in order to stay fit.
Activated Charcoal: Charcoal is another great way to prevent toxins from entering your dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal is available online as well offline in a liquid/powder form. It also helps in fighting bacterial infection and keeps your dog away from any infectious viruses.
Veterinary Treatment for Blood In Dog Stool
Depending on the reason, there may be a variety of remedies you can expect when dealing with blood spots in your dog’s stool. Nevertheless, a vet can discover the underlying cause of why this is happening to your puppy. Some of the examinations a veteran might conduct to find out why your furry friend has blood in their stool include:
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Endoscopies
- Blood Work
- Fecal Tests
- Urine Tests
When To See The Vet?
If the situation goes worse at any point of time, don’t panic and simply visit your vet. However, if the situation seems to be in control try for the above home remedies in order to treat your dog. If your canine display any of the below symptoms, then we’d advise you to take them for a veterinary checkup.
- Seeming Weak or Lethargic
- Has Pale Gums
- Vomiting
- Refusing To Take Meals or Water
- Becomes Unresponsive
Related: How Often Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?
Final Thoughts!
If an uncomplicated digestive tract is upset due to dietary changes or inflammation, a vet may prescribe an easily digestible bland diet and medicines to support your dog’s gut health. Medications are; probiotics, antibiotics, antacids, or other drugs.
If your pup looks dehydrated, your veteran may also advise giving your dog a lot of electrolytic fluids. For mild dehydration, your vet may give fluids under the skin and send your pup home for further care. In more severe illnesses, intravenous fluid therapy may be required, along with hospitalization for monitoring and more intensive support.
Disclaimer: This post is completely informational and educational in nature. Its purpose is to enrich one’s knowledge related to dog health issues and diseases. However, in case of any serious emergency or complications, immediately contact a professional, veterinarian, or expert.