There are pet owners who would leave their dogs and would not spare a glance during pooping time. However, watching your dog perform a “poop show” can save you a lot of trouble.
Understanding what causes blood in dog stool and monitoring it daily is a good way to check your dog’s health condition.
You have to pay attention to the process and most importantly, the stool itself. Know that the colour of a normal stool can be any shade of brown.
If there are some abnormalities in its colour and consistency, it may be an indication of an underlying problem. Now, what does bloody stool in dogs mean?
What Causes Dogs to Have Blood in Their Stool?
According to Dr Beth Guerra from Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services (ACCES), a bloody stool can be an indication of a health problem that requires immediate attention.
“Blood can show up in the stool in two ways—as haematochezia, which is the presence of bright red blood with normal faeces or diarrhoea, or as melena, which is digested blood that often gives a dark, tarry appearance,” she explained.
Haematochezia Vs Melena
Haematochezia refers to the bright red blood in a dog’s stool. The bright colour signifies that it is fresh. As such, it is most likely acquired from the lower intestines, usually the colon or the rectum. The blood can be mixed in with the faeces, so a few droplets of blood are visible as your dog defecates.
In melena, bloody stools appear in a tarry and asphalt-black colour. This suggests that the blood was digested and could derive from the upper digestive tract. What’s distressing is that melena is not as recognisable as the stool in haematochezia.
After all, canines can defaecate dark stools without health issues. However, most owners would miss the sign of melena.
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What Are the Common Causes of Haematochezia and Melena in Dogs
Checking your dog’s stool for abnormal signs is important as it could be an indication of underlying issues. We will enumerate a list of possible triggers for dogs to have either digested or fresh blood in their stools.
Haematochezia
1. Food
- Eating spoiled food
- Overeating
- Foreign substance intake
- Sudden changes in diet
- Food allergies
If there are changes in your dog’s diet that need to be done, introduce it gradually so you can observe, and give him time to adjust. If it is done suddenly, it can make your dog poop blood and vomit.
2. Parasites
Parasite infestation is one of the most common causes of bright red blood in your dog’s stool. The most common parasites that cause this condition are hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
A veterinarian can identify the particular parasite present in his body and can prescribe the right medication and dewormers.
The presence of blood in a dog’s stool is just one way of telling you that he is infected with dog worms.
3. Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis suddenly occurs without warning, even in healthy dogs. There is still no apparent cause for this condition, but suggested contributing factors are stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, and illness such as inflammatory bowel disease.
This condition causes your dog to vomit, have diarrhoea, and have visible spotting of blood in his stool. In most cases, treatment includes intravenous fluid therapy and appropriate medication.
4. Parvovirus
This is a serious viral infection that commonly manifests in black-and-tan breeds, such as Rottweilers, Dobermanns, and German Shepherds. Affected dogs may vomit, have diarrhoea, lose appetite, feel lethargic, or have fresh blood in the stool.
Parvovirus is a worrisome condition often found in puppies and can be life-threatening. As such, it is advisable to see the vet immediately after your pup has shown signs of dog parvo.
5. Rectal Wounds
Be extra cautious when playing with pet sticks or giving him cooked bones. Your dog may ingest a stick, bone, or any sharp objects that can lead to problems in the lower intestinal lining or rectum.
If your dog has unintentionally ingested harmful objects, you may feed him with high-fibre bread or rice to aid him in passing the bone. It is best to check for any rectal injuries that might come in the form of swelling, injuries, or protrusions.
6. Stress
Melena
1. Bleeding Disorders
There are various causes why bleeding disorders might occur.
- Thrombocytopenia or the decreased number of platelet
- Rat poison ingestion due to the anticoagulants that it contains
- Inherited clotting disorder
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Any internal organ failure
- Severe liver disorder
Aside from having dark tarry stools, affected dogs may exhibit other symptoms, such as purple-tinted skin.
2. The Use of NSAIDs
NSAIDS stand for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are commonly taken as a treatment for pain and inflammation.
Such drug medications include Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and the like, which can cause ulcer complications. The bleeding ulcer results in black tarry stools from the blood being digested in the stomach.
3. Post-Surgery Complication
Dark blood in dog poop may manifest after surgery caused by possible internal bleeding. This may occur up to 72 hours after the surgery.
4. Tumours/Cancers
The said health problems can cause your pooch to have a black tarry stool. This can be done with the help of a veterinarian.
5. Taking Pepto-Bismol
Black stools can be a reaction to taking Pepto-Bismol. The colour of your dog’s stool is expected to turn back to normal when the medication is stopped.
6. Blood Ingestion
There are instances when your dog will lick on a bloody wound that causes him to ingest blood. That explains why your dog’s stool turns black and tarry. For the best treatment, consult a veterinarian.
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FAQs About Blood in Dog Stool
1. Is Blood in Dog Stool an Emergency?
Bloody stool is not necessarily an emergency, but you will never know until the veterinarian has examined your dog and provided a proper diagnosis. Thus, it is imperative to get your pet checked by them if you find blood in his poop.
2. If My Dog Swallowed a Bone, Would He Have Bloody Stool?
Your dog’s poop can have tinges of blood if he swallowed a bone. If you suspect he has ingested one, look for emergency vets in your area immediately.
Gulping down a bone may cause gastrointestinal blockage. They may also break into splinters and pierce your furry pal’s digestive tract, which can cause large amounts of blood to be in his stool.
3. Is Bright Red Blood in Dog Stool Serious?
Bright red blood in dog stool can be serious. It is commonly a symptom of serious ailments like parvovirus and haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Contact the vet and schedule your dog a health check ASAP if he eliminates this type of stool.
4. Can Changing Dog Food Cause Blood in Stool?
Changing dog food can cause blood in dog stool if done suddenly. Your canine friend’s stomach will have a hard time adjusting to his new diet.
As a result, it can get inflamed and bleed. Thus, we always recommend slowly transitioning your dog to a new pet food.
Conclusion
Blood in dog stool can be caused by a variety of reasons, from dietary issues to underlying health problems. Its occurrence should not be simply shrugged off as the root cause might be life-threatening. Taking your canine companion to the vet for a diagnosis will save you money in the long run.
