One of the most frightening things for a dog owner to see is blood in their dog’s stool. Before you panic, realize that blood in a dog’s stool is actually quite a common occurrence and is not necessarily cause for alarm.
Before you freak out, ask yourself these questions:
Does your dog still have an appetite?
Has your dog been vomiting?
Are his or her mannerisms changed?
Is his or her belly swollen?
Has he or she eaten anything or been around anything that might be harmful such as antifreeze or chemicals?
Does your dog show signs of pain when you press on his or her belly?
The Answer is No
If the answer to all of the questions above is no and you dog is still acting normally, chances are there is no immediate reason to panic. A common cause of a small amount of blood in the stool is a cut from a piece of bone or toy that your pet was chewing on. This should last no more than two days. If it persists for longer than two days, seek veterinary assistance.
Keep in mind that fresh looking, bright red blood is a sign that the blood is coming from an area close to the rectum, another sign that it is probably a cut from a piece of bone or toy. If the stool is black, it is a sign that it is coming from an area closer to the beginning of your dog’s digestive system, such as the stomach.
Even if you are really sure the blood is from a cut and it goes away within a day, a trip to the vet is still advisable. Any time you see blood in the stool of a pet or human, it should not be taken lightly. Visit your veterinarian to make sure something more serious does not occur.
The Answer is Yes
Now for the bad news. If you answered yes to any of the questions above, there might be a serious problem. Seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
If you have recently changed your dog’s diet, he or she might have a food allergy that is causing the blood to show up in the stool.
Blood in the stool could also point to an infection of the anal sacs. It could also be an indicator of inflammation of the colon or rectum.
Now for the worst case scenario. Blood in the stool, usually paired with vomiting, could be Parvovirus or Coronavirus.
All of the ailments in this section must be treated by a veterinarian. Try to get a list together that includes everything your dog has eaten in the past few days, anything that your dog was around that could have caused this (such as antifreeze, chemical cleaners, chocolate, or plants), and the last time you gave him or her medication (including flea and tick treatments).
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About the author:
Kayleigh has always loved animals and has spent time volunteering at the local dog shelter. The love of her life is her four year old Rottweiler, Lizzie. She enjoys writing for YeePet.com since it combines her love of animals with one of her favor...
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