What can cause my dog to poop blood

Parvovirus, corona virus, bacterial infections (Clostridium and Salmonella), protozoal agents like coccidiosis and intestinal parasites like hookworms and whipworms are all infectious agents that can lead to blood in your dog’s stool.

Dietary Intolerance and Allergy

This can occur as the result of eating food that is no longer good, overeating, consuming a material that is not edible, a sudden change in diet or eating their human’s food can cause inflammation in your dog’s lower bowel and blood in their stool. An allergy can occur to a protein in a particular food causing colitis and blood in your dog’s stool. 

Masses 

These can be present in the colon, rectum or anus and include benign and malignant tumors.

Colitis

When blood in your dog’s stool is ongoing, it can point to his colon being inflamed, which is also called colitis. Colitis can be caused by a parasite, mass, infectious agent, food intolerance or allergy, as well as due to an immune-related or unknown cause.

Trauma

Trauma from a bite wound to your dog’s anal area, a pelvic fracture that interrupts the colon or rectum, a sharp item ingested and passed or an instrument or material being placed in your dog’s rectum can lead to blood in his stool.

Bleeding Disorders

Should your dog have a bleeding disorder, he may bleed from the lining of his lower bowel. Types of bleeding disorders include thrombocytopenia, which is when there is a decrease in the number of your dog’s platelets, inherited clotting disorders like hemophilia and abnormal platelet function problems, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (the result of a severe infection, organ failure or a major liver disorder).

Narrowing of Anus or Colon

This is secondary to other trauma, inflammation, cancer or foreign body. When stools are passed when the anus or colon are narrowed, bleeding can occur.

Anal Sacculitis

An inflammation or an abscess of the anal sacs can lead to the consistency of the fluid in the anal sacs to change into a bloody liquid. This liquid can provide a coating to the stools as your dog defecates.

Perianal Fistulae

Ulcerations that can be seen in the skin around your dog’s anus. If the ulcerations connect to the anus, blood can be present in the stool.

Spotting blood in your dog’s stool is sure to be a cause for concern for pet parents. Today, our Fort Pierce team shares some of the causes, symptoms and treatment for bloody stool in dogs.

Why Does My Dog Have Blood In Their Stool?

Non-Blood Substances

• First it's important to determine whether what you see is actually blood, since ingesting red foods, Pepto-Bismol or red items such as lipstick or crayon can cause your dog's stool to appear as if it is blood-streaked. Take a really analytical look at your dog's stool, and be prepared to provide your vet with a detailed description and samples if requested.

Hematochezia in Dog's Stool

• If the blood in your pet's stool is bright red, then it's Hematochezia. Typically, hematochezia originates from bleeding in the lower digestive tract, rectum or colon. Bleeding in this area will encourage your vet to investigate a particular set of conditions such as parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, cancer, viral and bacterial infections, parasites, digestion of something inappropriate, sudden change in pet's diet, rectal injury, or colitis.

Melena in Dog's Stool

• If the blood in your dog's stool is dark, sticky and tar-like then it's Melena, which is blood that has either been swallowed or digested. This condition points to issues in your pet's upper digestive tract, esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine such as parasites, liver cancer. Other common causes of melena in stool include ulcers caused by medications, blood clotting disorders, post-surgery complications, tumors, polyps, or ingestion of blood (licking a bleeding wound, a mouth injury or a bloody nose).

Other Causes of Bloody Stool in Dogs

• Some other causes of bloody stool include intestinal blockages, trauma, bacterial infections, or fissures.

What To Do If You See Blood In Your Dog's Stool

Regardless of the type of blood you see in your dog's stool or vomit it is important to contact your vet, or your nearest emergency vet right away. Bloody diarrhea or vomiting can be a veterinary emergency requiring immediate care. Some causes of blood in stool or vomit are potentially fatal if left untreated, so it's always wise to err on the side of caution.

At Animal Urgent Care Center, our board-certified Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist is equipped to offer advanced diagnostics and care for pets with internal health conditions. Our emergency veterinary team treats animals in circumstances requiring urgent medical care, including life-threatening emergencies.

Diagnosing Bloody Stool In Dogs

Diagnosing the underlying cause of bloody stool in dogs can be challenging. If routine diagnostic procedures are unsuccessful, more invasive procedures may be needed to diagnose the issue. The diagnostic procedure may include the following:

A Detailed Medical History

The more detailed information you can provide to the vet, the better. Some of the valuable information in your dog’s medical history may include:

• Whether your dog has experienced intestinal blockages, physical obstructions, ulcers or tumors in the past
• Your pet's vaccination record (to rule out parvovirus)
• How severe symptoms have been.
• Has it become worse?

Physical Wellness & Sample Examination

• Examination of the stool sample to confirm if blood is present
• Palpitation of the abdomen to check for abdominal obstruction or pain
• Heart function to look for symptoms of blood loss or dehydration
• Skin test to find out if your dog is dehydrated

Blood tests

• Biochemical tests checking liver function and blood sugar
• Packed cell volume (hematocrit) to confirm whether hemorrhagic gastroenteritis could be the cause

Endoscopy & X-rays

• To search for intestinal blockages, ulcers, tumors, or physical obstructions

Fecal

• Fecal exams help to detect parasites or microbiological organisms

Treating Blood In A Dog's Stool

Treatment for bloody stool in dogs will depend on the underlying cause and your pet's general physical health. With the right treatment, most dogs respond very well and recover quickly. Treatment may include:

• Medications for soothing intestines
• Electrolyte and fluid therapies in the case of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
• Antibiotic therapy if an infection is at the root of the problem
• Surgical remedies for tumors, ulcers or physical obstructions
• Corticosteroid therapy in cases of severe blood loss causing hypovolemic shock
• Anthelmintics (antiparasitic drugs) to expel parasitic worms and other internal parasites

Helping Your Dog Feel Better

Once your pet’s underlying issue is undergoing treatment, the main priority is allowing your pet's inflamed intestines time to recuperate. Your vet will be sure to provide you with detailed instructions on looking after your dog as they recover which may include,

What should I do if my dog poops blood?

Is bloody diarrhea in dogs an emergency?

Is dog pooping blood serious?