blood-in-dog's-stool-causes

Blood in dog's stool causes

Seeing blood in your dog's stool can be worrisome, although it is not always a symptom of a serious disease or health problem.

Indeed, many conditions can cause bloody stools, and not all of them are equally severe. Although only a veterinarian can diagnose the cause of your dog's ailments, here is some information on the main disorders that cause bloody stools in dogs, their treatments and their prognosis.

 

What is blood in the stool in dogs?

Blood in the stool occurs when a dog's digestive tract is damaged, either slightly or severely, so that the animal's intestines, stomach or esophagus bleed. The blood is then evacuated along with the stool, and can be seen with the naked eye by observing the animal's feces.

This is a symptom, not a disease, and the causes of this condition can be extremely numerous, ranging from trauma to viral diseases to parasitic infestations. While the presence of blood in a dog's stool may be obvious when it is bright red in color, it should also be noted that dog feces may contain black blood, which may go unnoticed by the owner.

Blood turns black when it has been digested. The presence of black blood in the stool, a phenomenon called melena, indicates bleeding from the upper digestive system, i.e. the stomach or esophagus. Bright red blood indicates bleeding from the lower digestive system (intestines). In general, black blood in the stool is always more worrisome than red blood.

 

Causes of blood in the stool in dogs

Many things can cause blood in the stool in dogs. While some of the causes are relatively benign, it is always necessary to consult a veterinarian to avoid serious illness or injury. On the other hand, even bloody feces of benign origin can become complicated when left untreated, especially when associated with diarrhea. Medication to control the symptoms is often necessary.

Blood in the stool and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is commonly referred to when blood is found in a dog's stool or vomit, but the term actually refers to a specific condition. This condition may be associated with the presence of Clostridium Perfringens toxins in the animal's digestive tract, a theory that is not yet fully accepted. Clostridium Perfringens is a bacterium usually involved in gangrene that can affect almost all mammals, and all kinds of wounds.

This condition is a primary gastroenteritis, which is a true disease and not a symptom of an underlying disorder. Like humans, dogs can also suffer from benign and transient gastroenteritis, caused by bacteria, viruses, toxins, spoiled food... and many other things! Although this type of transient disorder is rarely severe, it should be noted that all gastroenteritis in dogs, regardless of the cause, can be complicated by hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which is characterized by blood in the stool. In this context, this symptom is not necessarily a serious factor, but it is still essential to consult a veterinarian to ensure that the animal is not incubating a more serious disease.

Blood in the stool and canine parvovirosis
Parvovirosis is a disease caused by the canine parvovirus 2 (CPV2), a pathogen of great virulence and particularly contagious. The contamination is done by oral way, and the disease is quickly epidemic in environments where the dogs live in a certain promiscuity (breeding, kennels, etc.). Parvovirus causes a necrosis of the intestines which typically results in hemorrhagic diarrhea, often spectacular, generally associated with vomiting, strong pains, a pronounced fever and a depression. It should be noted that not all dogs with parvovirus develop severe forms of the disease, and some are completely asymptomatic. Older, fragile dogs and, especially, puppies, are the animals with the most severe forms of the disease, usually fatal if left untreated.

Blood in the stool and dog poisoning
Dogs are notorious for swallowing anything, a habit that can unfortunately harm them... Poisonings and intoxications are frequent in our four-legged friends, and many substances can cause irritations of the digestive system manifested by the presence of blood in the stools. Rat poison, one of the most common poisons found in our homes, causes internal bleeding that is often fatal. Other less lethal types of anticoagulants, such as aspirin, may be involved. Less lethal substances, such as dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent, can also irritate the dog's gastrointestinal mucosa and cause bleeding.

Blood in the stool and internal bleeding in dogs
A violent shock or the ingestion of a foreign body (bone, piece of toy, etc.) can cause irritation and/or perforation of the intestines or stomach of the dog. In this case, the dog is often in bad shape, suffering, down, and it may be possible to link the presence of blood in its stools with an event that the owner witnessed (fall, car accident, swallowed ball, etc.). In case of internal hemorrhage, the dog's prognosis is often vital and the speed of its treatment by a veterinarian is decisive for its survival.

Blood in the stool and food intolerance in dogs
Although food allergies and intolerances rarely cause serious digestive symptoms, they can still cause blood in the stool. A poorly tolerated food can irritate the intestine and eventually cause bleeding. This option should be considered if no other cause is identified by your veterinarian.

Blood in the stool and intestinal worms in dogs
An intestinal worm infestation can cause bleeding from the digestive tract, which is noticeable in the dog's feces. If your dog has not been dewormed in the last six months, the presence of intestinal parasites in his digestive tract is more than likely. This is especially important if your dog is not averse to eating rotten food or tasting animal remains.

Other causes of blood in the stool in dogs
While the above-mentioned phenomena are the most common causes of blood in the dog's stool, there are a number of other conditions that cause this symptom. Leptospirosis, a disease caused by bacteria, is one of them, as well as tumors or masses, malignant or not, that can develop in or near the digestive tract.

Constipation can also cause bleeding, as the accumulation of stool in the dog's colon can irritate the lining, and the expulsion of hard, dry stool can cause small anal lesions. Finally, chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, similar to Crohn's disease in humans, also exists in dogs, and is likely to be manifested by the presence of blood in the stool.

exists in dogs, and is likely to be manifested by the presence of blood in the stool. In the Boxer, in particular, we can suspect histiocytic colitis, an inflammation of the colon that is still poorly understood, potentially caused by an inappropriate immune reaction to the presence of E. coli bacteria.

 

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Treatment and prognosis for blood in the stool in dogs

When the cause of blood in a dog's stool is not known, treatment is primarily symptomatic and is aimed at stabilizing the animal's condition until the potential pathogen is eliminated or ceases to be active. Hypovolemia resulting from diarrhea that may accompany the bleeding, or from the bleeding itself when it is severe, is usually managed by infusion.

When blood in the stool is associated with diarrhea, which is often the case, antidiarrheal drugs and intestinal dressings may be prescribed. As the involvement of bacteria can always be suspected, antibiotics are often used as a precautionary measure.

This will also prevent peritonitis and septicemia that can occur if the dog's intestinal barrier is compromised, allowing bacteria normally present in the intestine to colonize the rest of the body. When the cause is known, treatment usually addresses both the symptoms to stabilize the animal and the origin of the problem, when possible.

In the case of Parvovirus, there is no treatment that can cure the virus, so veterinary care focuses solely on the symptoms to prevent the animal's health from deteriorating. In the case of internal bleeding caused by an accident or ingestion of a foreign body, surgery is often required. The same is true when a mass is involved, in combination with anticancer therapies if the tumor is malignant.

The prognosis of a dog with blood in the stool depends greatly on the underlying disorder involved. Properly treated hemorrhagic gastroenteritis has an excellent chance of complete recovery, as does irritation due to ingestion of low-toxicity irritants. In case of Parvovirosis, the prognosis is good if the animal is quickly taken care of, otherwise the disease is fatal. Puppies, even if well cared for, are more likely to succumb to this disease.

Ingestion of a foreign body that is quickly treated by surgery often offers a favorable prognosis. Internal bleeding due to trauma will depend greatly on the extent of the injury. Finally, chronic inflammatory bowel disease has a more guarded prognosis. Difficult to treat, they do not always respond to treatment and often require the adoption of a particular lifestyle.

 

What to do if a dog has blood in its stool

When a dog has any kind of health problem, two things should always be considered in order to adopt the right course of action: the dog's profile and the severity of the problem. Fragile dogs (puppies, older dogs, sick dogs, etc.) should be seen by a veterinarian because blood in the stool may be a symptom of a disease that could quickly take them away.

The severity of the disorder can be evaluated according to the number of symptoms the animal presents: if the blood in the stool is associated with drooping, weight loss, loss of appetite, unusual posture... or any other symptom, it is advisable to take the animal quickly to a veterinarian. Similarly, if the animal has only one symptom, namely blood in the stool, but it is important (black blood, bleeding in quantity, frequent stool emission, diarrhea, etc.), a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.

If your dog is not in either of the above situations, i.e. if he is a dog in the prime of his life, in excellent health, with no symptoms other than the presence of a small amount of bright red blood in his stools, you can wait 24 to 48 hours before taking him to the vet. During this time, put him on a diet to rest his digestive system, and keep him under surveillance to detect the appearance of new symptoms early.

If bleeding persists beyond 24 hours, make an appointment to see a veterinarian who will make a definitive diagnosis and implement the appropriate treatment.

 

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FAQ

My dog has blood in his stool, is it serious?
Blood in a dog's stool is not always alarming. However, it can be a symptom of a serious internal illness or injury, requiring immediate attention. To avoid putting your dog at risk, it is highly recommended to take him to a veterinarian, especially if he is a puppy, an old dog or a fragile animal, and/or if he presents other symptoms (depression, fatigue, anorexia, pain, fever, vomiting, etc.).

Why is my dog's stool black?
Bleeding in the upper part of the digestive tract in dogs leads to the discharge of digested blood, which then turns black. Black stools (melena) should therefore be a cause for concern, as this phenomenon is often linked to more serious problems than the presence of bright red blood in the stools.

Why is there blood in my dog's stool?
Blood in a dog's stool is a sign of sores in the digestive tract. These can be caused by simple irritations due to gastroenteritis, constipation or intestinal worms, but also by serious diseases (Leptospirosis, Parvovirosis, etc.), trauma (perforation of the intestine, gastric ulcer, etc.), tumors... And many other phenomena.

What are the consequences of blood in my dog's stool?
The consequences of blood in a dog's stool depend on the cause of the disorder. Blood in the stool is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying problem. Some of the conditions that can cause this problem are benign, but others require urgent veterinary attention.

The presence of blood in a dog's stool is not always alarming, especially in a healthy adult animal with no other symptoms. However, it is always advisable to take your dog to a veterinarian in this situation in order not to miss a serious illness or injury that could endanger his health or his life.