There's a bit of blood in the dog's stools, how worried should I be?

You've found a bit of blood in your dog's stools, and now you're worried. Or there's a noticeable presence of blood, in which case you'll obviously be not just a little, but very concerned.

If in the second case you obviously must consult a veterinarian as soon as possible, in the case of a slight presence of blood you might be in doubt about the best way to proceed.

In this blog post, we'll explore the possible causes of this symptom and provide you with a brief explanation of each cause, along with recommended remedies.

Moreover, we'll tell you when it's time to consult the veterinarian for a proper assessment and treatment.

What are the causes of blood in a dog's stools?

The causes can be many, and the presence of blood drops in a dog's stools should never be taken lightly.

It's indeed not a normal condition, so it's important to understand why this event occurs, and how urgently it needs to be treated.

But let's see what the most common causes are when you find a bit of blood in your dog's stools:

Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites can be a common cause of bloody stools in dogs.

These parasites, such as worms and protozoa, can infest your four-legged friend's intestine and cause unpleasant symptoms.

Let's see what the different types of intestinal parasites that can cause bleeding in a dog's stools are, and how to deal with each different situation.

Intestinal Worms

The most common worms that infest a dog's intestine are roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.

These parasites can irritate the intestinal wall and cause bleeding. The veterinarian can prescribe a specific antiparasitic to eliminate the worms and alleviate the symptoms.

Protozoa

Some protozoa, like Giardia and Coccidia, can infest a dog's intestine and cause bleeding in the stools.

These parasites are often transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water or food. The veterinarian can recommend a specific antiprotozoal treatment to resolve the infection.

Treatments and Prevention

Prevention is key to protecting your dog from intestinal parasites. Keep vaccinations and deworming regimes recommended by the veterinarian up to date.

Avoid the ingestion of raw food or contaminated water and regularly clean your dog's environment.

Symptoms and Veterinary Advice:

Besides bloody stools, intestinal parasites can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and lack of appetite.

If you notice one or more of these signs in your dog, it's important to consult the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal infections are one of the possible causes of bloody stools in dogs. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites attacking your faithful friend's digestive system.

Canine intestinal infections can be:

Bacterial

Bacterial infections like Salmonella and E. Coli can cause inflammation and lesions in the dog's gastrointestinal tract.

These infections can be contracted through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian to eliminate the infection and alleviate symptoms.

Viral

Some viruses, such as parvovirus, canine coronavirus, or other infectious diseases in dogs, can cause severe gastrointestinal infections in dogs. These infections can damage the intestinal mucosa and cause bleeding in the stools. Treatment often requires intensive care at a veterinary facility and may include fluid therapy, antiviral medications, and nutritional support.

Symptoms and Veterinary Advice

In addition to bloody stools, gastrointestinal infections can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, and general weakness.

If you notice these signs in your dog, it's important to immediately consult the veterinarian for a correct diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Food Intolerances or Allergies

Food intolerances are a possible cause of bloody stools in dogs.

These conditions occur when the dog's immune system negatively reacts to certain ingredients in its diet.

The most common causes are the following:

Common Allergenic Foods

Some food ingredients commonly associated with intolerances in dogs include wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and beef.

The dog's body can react negatively to these foods, causing inflammation and irritation of the intestine, resulting in bleeding of the stools.

The best solution is to identify and remove allergenic foods from the dog's diet.

Food Sensitivity

The dog can develop sensitivity to certain ingredients, even if it's not an allergic reaction.

This can manifest with symptoms like bloody stools, diarrhea, itching, and skin irritation. Identifying the responsible foods and replacing them with more suitable alternatives can help manage the condition.

Diagnosis and Veterinary Advice

A controlled elimination diet, under the supervision of a veterinarian, can be helpful to identify the foods responsible for intolerances.

This involves gradually excluding certain ingredients from the dog's diet and monitoring its response.

Later, foods are gradually reintroduced to identify those that cause the adverse reaction.

If you notice bloody stools or other signs of food intolerances in your dog, it's crucial to consult the veterinarian for a correct diagnosis.

The veterinarian can perform specific tests, such as allergy tests, and advise an appropriate diet to alleviate symptoms. Self-diagnosis or self-treatment could worsen the situation.

Traumas or Injuries

A trauma or injury to the intestine can cause bleeding in the stools.

If it's an injury causing internal hemorrhage, the blood will be dark and abundant, and the stools will also have a dark color.

In these cases, it's necessary to immediately turn to the veterinarian for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.

However, if there's a bit of blood in the dog's stools, and it's bright red, usually in the form of light blood streaks, it could be a cutaneous anal lesion.

If the event occurs occasionally and does not repeat, and the dog shows no signs of discomfort, pain, or other symptoms, it could be a simple scratch of the skin in the anal area.

Generally, these are injuries due to constipation or wounds or fistulas of the anal glands (the glands around the anus, which need to be emptied regularly as they accumulate a malodorous fluid that comes out during defecation).

If so, the situation will resolve itself quickly, but if in doubt, call the veterinarian anyway.

Poisoning

Poisoning can also cause blood in the stools. Specifically, rat poison causes bleeding in various parts of the body by preventing blood clotting.

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases are one of the most common causes of bloody stools in dogs. These conditions, in addition to inflammation and bacterial infection, can be classified into various more or less serious pathologies.

1. Colitis

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon that can cause bloody stools in dogs.

Causes can vary, including bacterial infect ions, intestinal parasites, food intolerances, or stress. Treatment involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause, along with dietary changes and medication to reduce inflammation.

2. Infectious Enteritis

Infectious enteritis is an infection of the intestinal tract that can lead to symptoms like hemorrhagic diarrhea and bloody stools in dogs.

Infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Treatment involves fighting the infection with specific drugs prescribed by the veterinarian.

3. Cholangitis

Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile ducts that can cause bleeding in the dog's stools.

This condition can be caused by bacterial infections, gallstones, or autoimmune diseases. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include antibiotic therapy, dietary changes, or even surgery.

4. Gastrointestinal Tumors

Gastrointestinal tumors can be a less common but more serious cause of bloody stools in dogs.

These tumors can occur at various points in the gastrointestinal tract and require prompt diagnosis and treatment.

The veterinarian may recommend thorough examinations, such as endoscopies or biopsies, and suggest the most appropriate treatment.

The most common are:

Adenocarcinoma: This type of tumor develops from glandular cells in the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. Adenocarcinomas can cause symptoms like weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody stools.

Lymphoma: Gastrointestinal lymphoma affects the lymphatic system of the digestive tract. It can occur in different gastrointestinal segments, including the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody stools.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type of tumor develops from squamous cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect the esophagus, stomach, or large intestine. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, and the presence of blood in the stools.

Tumors of the Enteric Nervous System: These tumors develop from cells of the enteric nervous system, which controls intestinal functions. They can cause symptoms like difficulty defecating, constipation, diarrhea, or bloody stools.

Smooth Muscle Tumors: These tumors develop from the smooth muscle tissues in the gastrointestinal tract. They can affect the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding in the stools.

Medication Intake

The intake of certain medications can also cause the presence of blood in the stools, as they can damage the walls in the stomach and promote the presence of ulcers.

This particularly happens with anti-inflammatory drugs, but it can occur with other medications.

For this reason, medications should never be administered without medical consultation, and quantities should never be increased.

When to Consult the Veterinarian if There's a Bit of Blood in the Dog's Stools?

If the dog has bloody stools, it's always advisable to consult a veterinarian. However, it's particularly important to seek immediate veterinary assistance if the dog has other symptoms like weakness, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, or if the episode of bloody stools repeats.

The veterinarian will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment to address the situation.

Promptness in seeking medical assistance can make a difference to the health and well-being of your furry friend.

One exception: the presence of a bit of bright red blood in the dog's stools in the form of light streaks, and in the absence of other symptoms.

If it's an acute phase and the event does not repeat, it's probably just a scratch. But as we said... when in doubt, do the right thing: call the veterinarian!

Author's Note

I invite all readers to share their experience on this topic in the comments section.

Any information you wish to share about health, character, products, and advice on training or diet will help us create a great community of owners who not only love dogs but also know how to manage them best.

From the Staff of Khani.co.uk

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Disclaimer

The information on our site is of a general nature and does not in any way replace the opinion of the veterinarian or industry experts. For any doubt, always turn to the veterinarian.