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Blood in dog stool is something that makes us dog lovers panic. But there is some good news! Isolated episodes of a little bloody stool is nothing to worry about, and it is only rarely a sign of cancer.<\/p>\n
Causes of Bloody Stool in Dogs<\/h2>\n
Bloody stool can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from simple and easy to fix to more sinister.<\/p>\n
Here are some potential causes, with the most common in bold:<\/p>\n
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- Parasites (most commonly Hookworms or Giardia)<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ate something he shouldn\u2019t have<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Straining from prolonged diarrhea<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Infected anal gland<\/li>\n
- Obstruction\/blockage<\/li>\n
- Clotting disorder<\/li>\n
- Stomach ulcer<\/li>\n
- Irritable bowel syndrome<\/li>\n
- Internal bleeding<\/li>\n
- Stomach, intestinal, or anal gland cancer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What to Do if Your Dog Has Bloody Stool<\/h2>\n
If your dog just has a little bit of blood in, or on, the stool and is otherwise acting totally normal, it is probably nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n
Should it happen more than once within a day or two, drop off a fresh stool sample at your vet\u2019s office<\/strong>. The poop will be checked for parasites and can be sent out to a lab for even more in-depth parasite testing.<\/p>\n
You can also send a photo of your dog\u2019s poop to your vet to put in your dog\u2019s file.<\/p>\n
When to Be Concerned<\/h3>\n
Bloody stool is more likely to be a problem in these situations:<\/p>\n
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- The stool has a lot of fresh red OR old black blood<\/li>\n
- Bloody stool occurs frequently<\/li>\n
- Your dog is also vomiting<\/li>\n
- Your dog is straining to defecate<\/li>\n
- Your dog shows signs of abdominal pain or discomfort<\/li>\n
- You see pale or bluish gums<\/li>\n
- Your dog is generally acting sick and unwell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If any of these symptoms are present in addition to bloody stool, your dog should be examined by a veterinarian.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Getting a Diagnosis<\/h3>\n
Which tests your vet runs will be based on your dog\u2019s exact symptoms and how sick he is, but here are some options:<\/p>\n
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- Fecal analysis<\/li>\n
- Blood tests to check organ function and clotting<\/li>\n
- A special fecal test to evaluate blood in the stool<\/li>\n
- Abdominal ultrasound<\/li>\n
- Radiographs (X-rays)<\/li>\n
- Endoscopy to look inside the GI tract<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Can I Treat Bloody Stool at Home?<\/h2>\n
If your dog\u2019s only symptom is a small amount of blood in or on his stool and he is otherwise perky and healthy, you can monitor him at home.<\/p>\n
For mild cases of diarrhea, fasting your dog for 12 hours or so (no food or treats) gives his GI tract a break. Then offer a bland diet, such as plain boiled chicken and plain cooked rice, for a few days.<\/p>\n
You can also give your dog a probiotic to help normalize his GI tract. Probiotics intended for dogs are very safe, and can be used as needed or every day.<\/p>\n
If the bloody stool continues or gets worse, or if your dog starts showing other symptoms, it\u2019s time to call the vet.<\/p>\n
For more information, you can listen to this podcast episode featuring Dr. Nancy Reese, DVM PhD:<\/p>\n
- Ate something he shouldn\u2019t have<\/strong><\/li>\n