A dog with diarrhea is always a cause for concern for pet parents. When diarrhea in a dog has blood, the concern increases even more. This condition is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that shows that there is something wrong with your puppy. Some diseases, especially those that affect the digestive system, are the main causes of diarrhea with blood.blood on a dog. Home Paws shows you which are the main ones.

Bloody diarrhea in dogs: can be classified in two ways

Blood in a dog with diarrhoea can have different reasons and origins. The cause can be related to clotting problems, injuries, poisoning, infectious agents and even stress. However, this condition does not always present itself in the same way. The type of diarrhoea in a dog with blood can be classified in two ways:

Haematochezia: when there is bleeding in the lower digestive system, mainly in the large intestine. The blood is not digested in the stool and is bright red in color. It may be mixed with the stool or appear in the form of drops.

Melena: when there is bleeding in the upper digestive system. The blood is digested and has a dark color and bad smell. It is more difficult to identify because of its dark appearance that blends with the stool. Ideally, you should put the bloody stool on a white paper to see it better.

What are the most common diseases that cause bloody diarrhea in dogs?

Bloody dog diarrhea can occur after a dog swallows an object that is piercing or obstructing its digestive tract. Other times, it is a consequence of an allergy, poisoning or food poisoning. Even stress and dietary changes can cause bloody dog diarrhea. However, in addition to these reasons, bloody dog diarrhea can mean the following.Those caused by worms and infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasites) usually present this condition as a symptom. Among the most common are:

Giardia canina: canine giardia is a zoonosis caused by a protozoan. This disease causes several changes in the animal's digestive system. One of the main symptoms is the dog with bloody diarrhoea. In addition, it has vomiting, apathy and weight loss

Parvovirus: canine parvovirosis is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects the digestive system. The main characteristic is the dog with bloody diarrhea and characteristic smell.

Gastroenteritis: canine gastroenteritis can be caused by a virus, bacteria, poisoning or inflammation - in other words, it can have several causes. Symptoms do not take long to appear and bloody diarrhea may appear. Dogs that present the condition need to receive rapid treatment to prevent the disease from evolving into something even more serious.

Canine pancreatitis: canine pancreatitis is a serious disease that causes inflammation in the pancreas of the animal. In addition to bloody diarrhea in dogs, vomiting and abdominal pain are common. Diseases that affect the pancreas, in general, can cause bloody diarrhea in dogs.

Gastrointestinal ulcers: ulcers are lesions that occur in the tissues. When they affect areas of the stomach and intestines, they cause bleeding that is released during diarrhea in dogs. They are mainly caused by the excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Bloody diarrhea: dog needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian

Since bloody diarrhea is a common symptom of several conditions and diseases that can affect your pet, it is best to seek specialized care. First you can try to define what type of bloody stool it is. Knowing if it is hematoquezia or melena already gives you a sense of where the problem probably comes from. Ideally, take a picture or even take a sample of the poopTell them if there are any other symptoms and your pet's history. Some tests, such as stool tests, blood work and x-rays may be ordered by the doctor. By taking as much information as possible, performing the tests and starting the appropriate treatment as soon as possible, your puppy will soon be healthy again!