Hematochezia in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 05/23/2017Updated: 12/22/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Hematochezia in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Hematochezia?
Dogs get into and eat all sorts of things.  It can upset their gastrointestinal tract and lead to diarrhea or blood in the stool.  While the cause may be something simple such as slight irritation from eating some rich food, it can also be caused by something more severe like toxicity or tumors. Your veterinarian will want to examine your dog and perform diagnostic lab work in order to come to a proper diagnosis.  Once diagnosed, treatment can begin; it will vary depending on what the cause of your dog’s symptoms is.  Prognosis of recovery varies along with the cause.  If the hematochezia is caused by upset stomach or intestinal parasites, prognosis of recovery is good with treatment.  If the cause is a tumor, his prognosis is more guarded.
If there is blood in your dog’s stool it is known as hematochezia; this is not a normal finding in dog’s bowel movements.  If you see blood in your dog’s stool, it is recommended you have him evaluated by his veterinarian.
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Symptoms of Hematochezia in Dogs
By definition, hematochezia is bright red blood from the anus, with or without fecal material present.  Symptoms in addition to the blood may include:
  • Presence of rectal polyps
  • Loose stool with blood mixed in or on the surface
  • Formed stool with blood on the surface 
  • Discolored stool
  • Mucus (slime) in the stool
  • Straining when passing stool
  • Blood can be in streaks or droplets 
  • Intermittent finding or consistent
Types
There are two different types of blood that can be found in the stool, hematochezia and melena.  Melena is seen as dark, tarry, black feces. This indicates bleeding high up in the intestines and the dark stool is the passing of old digested blood.  Hematochezia is bright red, fresh blood in the feces.  This indicates bleeding in the lower intestines such as the colon or rectum.
Causes of Hematochezia in Dogs
There are a variety of ailments that can cause hematochezia, most related to the gastrointestinal tract.  Inflammatory bowel disease is one of these illnesses that can have this as a symptom. Other illnesses with this as a symptom includes colonic neoplasia, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, colonic or rectal tumors, or erosions or ulcerations within the GI tract are just some diagnosis that can have hematochezia as a symptom to indicate larger problems.
Diagnosis of Hematochezia in Dogs
When you arrive at your veterinarian’s office, she will start with performing a physical exam and collecting a verbal history from you.  While the issue may be with your dog’s bowel movements, she will want to evaluate him entirely in order to check for a possible cause.  She will want to know when it started, it if has been progressing, if it is constant or intermittent, and similar questions.  
When it comes to trying to diagnose a cause, lab work and imaging will be performed for more information in regards to your dog’s condition. Blood work will consist of a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel for basic information on how your dog’s internal organs are functioning.  It can also indicate if he is losing a lot of blood somewhere in his body.  Your veterinarian may also want to perform fecal diagnostic testing in order to rule out intestinal parasites that can cause blood to be present in the stool.  
Radiographs and abdominal ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract are a good way to check for an abnormality that may be causing the blood in the stool.  The use of an endoscope for a view within the gastrointestinal tract can be extremely helpful in the diagnostic process.  It will allow your veterinarian to get a live view of the inside of your dog’s GI tract to check for polyps, perforation, or any other sort of abnormality that can be causing the blood.
The diagnostic lab work, imaging, and history of your dog’s condition should help the veterinarian come to her diagnosis.  If she is still unsure, there are additional, more specific tests she may suggest depending on your dog’s specific case.
Treatment of Hematochezia in Dogs
Treatment will be symptomatically in response to your dog’s symptoms.  If lab work and imaging are also performed, the results will indicate if additional therapies or surgery is needed.  Each dog’s condition is unique to him so there is no exact treatment.
Your veterinarian may begin small by simply changing your dog’s diet and prescribing a probiotic.  She will prescribe him a food that is very easy on the digestive tract and should lessen his discomfort.  The probiotic will ensure there are good bacteria in your dog’s GI tract and restore the natural balance.  If parasites are suspected, a dewormer will be administered.  There are other medications and supplements that can be prescribed to calm your dog’s digestive tract, decrease any inflammation, and offer him some relief.
If the cause involves the growth of polyps or tumors, your veterinarian may suggest surgical intervention depending on the severity.  This however, comes with its own risks so be sure to discuss this option thoroughly with your veterinarian.  
Finding and treating the cause is ideal in this situation.  If you do not pursue and treat the original cause of your dog’s hematochezia, you are only masking his symptoms.
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Recovery of Hematochezia in Dogs
Depending on the cause of the hematochezia, your dog’s prognosis will vary.  If it is symptoms from a small case of gastroenteritis or parasites, treated properly his prognosis is good.  If it is caused by something more severe such as a tumor, his prognosis is guarded.  The sooner you begin treatment for your dog’s condition, the better his chances of recovery.
Hematochezia can be symptomatic of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Hematochezia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Pit Bull
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Eight Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My has had any desire to eat or drink anything. We have been forced feeding her and giving her water and Pedialyte, but she will not keep it down. This we got up to check on her and she is bleeding from her butt non stop, and I can't afford to take her to the emergency. What should we do?
July 12, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello, It sounds like your dog may have parvovirus. It would be best for your dog to see a vet. Some vets do offer a free first exam. Discuss your financial limits with your vet and they may be able to help you out a little to get medication for your dog. If you cannot afford the vet at all, the best thing to do is to continues to syringe food and water. Unfortunately without medication, some of these dogs do not live.
July 12, 2020
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Australian Shepherd
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Jett
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2 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My 2 year old toy Aussie has diarrhea and some vomiting for the last 24 hours. This is unfortunately normal for her because she has an incredibly sensitive stomach and even one crumb of something disagreeable makes her sick. Today she has 2 tiny drops of blood that came out after she had diarrhea. Is her bum just irritated from the diarrhea? She is acting more or less normal, drinking fine (including some unflavored pedialyte) and wants to play. What should we be watching for?
Aug. 11, 2018
0 Recommendations
Small drops of blood isn’t uncommon in conditions like this, you should keep a general eye on Jett for any other symptoms and monitor for improvement; the presence of blood may be just down to some inflammation and may self resolve. Monitor during the weekend but visit your Veterinarian on Monday or Tuesday if there is no improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 11, 2018
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German Shepherd
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Buzz
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11 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My GSD started to have bloody diarrhea yesterday. He's always been a picky eater, but didn't want to eat his kibble the past couple days. Mom made chicken and rice for him and he ate everything. No other changes, still wants to play 24/7, wrestles with the puppy, just having bloody diarrhea? Causes???
July 18, 2018
0 Recommendations
Bloody diarrhoea may be caused by infections (both bacterial and viral), parasites (both worms and protozoa), foreign objects, poisoning, stress, inflammatory bowel disease, tumours among other causes. Keep an eye on Buzz for the time being and visit your Veterinarian if the presence of blood continues. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 18, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
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rileigh
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13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
S Slimy, Soft With Bright Red Blood
I don't want to subject her to a lot of tests or put her out. What can I do for her at her age? She eats ok and seems healthy other than poor back legs. She gets blood work every year. This just started a week ago.
July 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are various different causes for blood in the stool which may include tumours, stress, infections, parasites, foreign objects, dietary intolerance, poisoning among other causes; you should visit your Veterinarian for a simple examination to determine if there are any other symptoms and for them to prescribe something which may help. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 14, 2018
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Black Lab Mix
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Aries
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3 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Bleeding
My dog Aries is a black lab mix from a shelter and approximately 3 years old. I heard him urinating in the house, put him outside, and came back in to the bedroom and found blood all over the floor. There was a clear distinction between where he started to urinate and the blood. He was normally active throughout the day until pretty late in the evening then he just seemed "off" he was still up and about, running around but just didn't seem to have his pep. No faces mixed with blood. Doesn't appear to be in pain but now he just seems lethargic but still moving around.
June 30, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Aries should probably see a veterinarian to have his urine and a fecal sample checked to see where that blood came from. He may have an intestinal problem or a urinary problem, and since he isn't feeling well, he should probably be treated for that.
June 30, 2018
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Foxhound
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Mabel
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6 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My six year old foxhound has recently had just two small streams of blood in her poop and I watched her go and I can see it getting the blood on it on the sides of her rectum as it comes out. She is eating and eating fine and has her normal energy and bathroom habits. Anyone else experience this? I just started giving her probiotics yesterday to see if that helps
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Chihuahua Russell terrier
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Oliver
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2 Years
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1 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea Bright Red Droplets
My dog Oliver has had diarrhea all day today and i also found some fabric in his poo then about 20 minutes ago he went poo again just diarrhea again but this time there was bright red droplets of blood in it. Now my dog likes to eat his toys and he likes to get into the trash. He still acts like himself and when I say that I mean runs around playing with his toys but all this start today
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