Finding blood in a dog's stool is a sign that something is out of the ordinary. Bloody poop in a dog is an issue that should always be taken seriously. There are several reasons for this to happen, from a momentary episode - simpler to solve - to more serious diseases - such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or cancer in dogs. Blood in dog stool can be of different types,so it is important to differentiate what each means. The Paws of the House helps you understand what a dog passing blood could mean. check it out!

A dog having soft stools with blood is a sign that he is not well

When a puppy is experiencing a health problem, the body tries to let you know with various symptoms. A dog having a soft poop with blood is one of these signs that can be related to various diseases. As it is a broad symptom, there is a common doubt when seeing blood in dog stool: what can it be? The truth is that it can mean anything from a sign of viral infection to ingestion of blood in the stool.Therefore, when your dog has bloody stools, you need to rush to the vet, as only he will be able to give the correct diagnosis. But to prepare you in case you see that your dog has bloody stools, check out the most common diseases:

• Parvovirus
• Intoxication
• Verminosis
• Ingestion of foreign bodies (such as toys and other objects)
• Giardiasis
• Intestinal tumors

First step: identify the type of blood in dog feces

Observing the appearance of bloody dog faeces may not be a very pleasant task, but it is essential to be able to describe it correctly so that the vet can determine the source of the problem. There are two types of bloody dog faeces: haematochezia in dogs, characterized by a bright red color, and melena, defined by the appearance of bloody dog faeces.darker.

Bloody dog stools may characterize a condition of hematokzia in dogs

Haematochezia in dogs is characterised by the presence of red - bright and fresh - blood in the stool. Bloody dog poop with these characteristics is usually an indication of a bleeding in the animal's lower digestive system, including the colon or rectum. This type of bloody dog stool may be the consequence of a minor and passing problem. However, if the event ispersistent, may signal something more serious and should not be ignored. Here are some of the possible causes of hematochezia in dogs

• Rectal injuries when the dog swallows non-digestible and/or sharp materials such as bone fragments, pieces of plastic, wood splinters and socks;

• Infectious agents such as bacteria, protozoa and intestinal parasites (such as giardia);

• Parvovirus, a serious viral disease often found in unvaccinated puppies. In addition to hematochezia, symptoms of parvovirus include vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite;

• Polyps in the colon, rectum or anus;

• Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (characterized by large amounts of loose, bloody stools);

• Hemorrhoids;

• Food allergies, intolerances, eating bad food, dietary changes and overeating;

• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as colitis;

• Anal saculitis (inflammation of the anal sacs);

• Ingestion of blood (when licking a wound, for example);

• Stress from changes in routine.

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Melena: dog evacuating blood can be serious

In the case of melena, the dog evacuates stools with blood of a different appearance. Unlike haematochezia in dogs, which shows signs of fresh blood, melena points to the appearance of digested blood in the stools. That is, the bleeding begins in the upper digestive system and can represent a more serious health problem. The classic appearance of melena is black, shiny, sticky and sticky stools.Because the color of blood in dog poop is darker, it is often more difficult to identify its presence. A good tip is to transfer the stool onto a napkin or white sheet of paper to better visualize it. Here are some of the possible causes of melena in dogs:

• Tumors or cancer, especially in older dogs;

• Intestinal irritation and ulceration, caused by prolonged administration of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and paracetamol;

• Some metabolic diseases such as renal and hepatic failure, canine pancreatitis and hypoadrenocorticism;

• Parasites;

• Peptic ulcers;

• Exposure to toxins or foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal system;

• Trauma and post-surgical complications (the problem can appear up to 72 hours after surgery);

• Disorders involving abnormal blood clotting. Rat poison can cause clotting disorders and bleeding, for example.

Originally published on: 20/04/2020

Updated on: 25/08/2021