What is Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood?
Blood in your dog’s stool is an important sign that something may be wrong with his digestive system. While a red stool can occur occasionally, dark and tarry stools are a sign of something possibly more serious. The dark and tarry look means that the blood has been digested and has made its way into the upper (small) intestine. The black color of melena is caused by iron in the blood becoming oxygenated when it passes through the ileum and colon. There are many reasons for the presence of melena, but they are all cause for concern so a visit to your veterinarian is essential to your dog’s health. Some of the reasons for melena are listed below.
Tarry feces due to the presence of blood (melena) makes your dog’s stools look black and tarry. There is a difference between fresh blood in your dog’s stool (hematochezia) and melena because the latter can be a sign of a serious or fatal disorder that will need medical attention right away. Melena appears black (from the upper intestine because it is digested) and hematochezia will appear bright or dark red (from the lower intestine or anus because it has not been digested). The blood can be coming from your dog's lungs, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, or upper (small) intestine and this can mean a serious disorder. It is vital that you take your dog to the veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic or hospital as soon as possible.
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Symptoms of Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs
The main sign of melena is dark black feces that look similar to tar or coffee grounds. Since there are many different causes for melena, the signs will vary according to the underlying illness or disease. Here are some common signs:
- Black feces that looks like tar
- Diarrhea
- Throwing up (possibly vomiting blood)
- Pale mucous membranes
- Bruises on the body
- Not eating
- Drinking excessively
- Frequent urination
- Loss of weight
Causes of Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs
There are several reasons for melena in your dog’s feces and it takes a visit to the veterinarian to determine the cause. Some of the possible causes are:
- Infection
- Some medications (such as NSAIDS)
- Cancer
- Swallowing foreign object
- Blood ingestion
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Bleeding disorders
- Metabolic disease
- Hemorrhagic disease
- Gastrointestinal ischemia (lack of blood supply)
Diagnosis of Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs
Your veterinarian will need to do a complete and thorough physical examination, which includes your dog’s body temperature to see if there is a fever. Important diagnostic information will include blood pressure and heart rate. You will need to provide the veterinarian with as much of your dog’s medical history as possible, including recent illnesses or injuries. Changes in dietary habits, behavior, and activity levels are also important to determine what is causing the melena. Since there are so many different possible causes, your veterinarian will likely recommend further testing, such as:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Biochemical profile
- Urinalysis
- Fecal examination
- Abdominal and chest radiographs (X-rays)
- Serology for certain infectious diseases
- Coagulation profile
- Abdominal ultrasonography
- Upper gastrointestinal barium series
- Endoscopy
Treatment of Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs
The treatment will depend on what is causing the melena in your dog’s stool. If the signs are severe or the veterinarian cannot determine the cause, your dog will probably be hospitalized for IV fluid therapy, rest, and 24-hour observation. A blood transfusion will be administered if there is significant blood loss and they will give your dog medication to treat the infection or bacteria that is causing the melena if the veterinarian can determine the cause.
When your veterinarian finds the source of the melena and is able to treat the problem, you may be able to take your dog home sooner, but you will have to make sure your dog gets the rest needed to heal. If the veterinarian prescribes medication be sure to give it as prescribed and finish all the medicine even if your dog seems fine before it is gone. Sometimes the illness will come back if you stop the medication too soon and it will be more resistant to the medication your dog was originally taking.
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Recovery of Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs
If the veterinarian says it is okay, your dog can go back to eating his regular food, but go back to it gradually so it is easier on the stomach and digestive system. Do not give your dog any kind of people food no matter how healthy you think it is. Just because it is good for humans does not make it healthy for dogs. Be sure to follow up with the veterinarian and continue to visit regularly on a yearly basis.
Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood Average Cost
From 21 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Yorkshire Terrier
Sixteen Weeks
33 found this helpful
33 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
She’s been well and we took her for her first round of shots today and her poop was dark black with a ring of dark green. It’s only been one pooop so far
Feb. 28, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
33 Recommendations
Thank you.
From the photo, the stool is dark brown but I'm not necessarily seeing black; perhaps it is an effect of the camera and lighting.
If truly black, this can indicate bleeding from e.g. an ulcer or infection. In this case, a vet visit is best as we may need to prescribe some medicine such as antibiotics or ant acids.
I would advise you ensure she is up to date with a good quality parasite prevention and would feed a bland diet for the next few days. Do also ensure her gums stay pink and wet.
Feb. 28, 2021
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English Cocker Spaniel
One year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Black Liquids Potty Brown Vomiting
Why this type vomit and potty
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 14, 2020
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Australian Shepherd
1yr
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Black Tar Stool, Sleeping A Lot, Drinking Lots Of Water, Vomiting
Vet is closed. Is this emergent? Should I be concerned?
July 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
20 Recommendations
hello,
So sorry to hear about your dog. Yes the black tarry stool can be a sign of GI bleeding and I would be concerned. If he continues to vomit he can become dehydrated even though he is drinking water. YOur vet can start him on medication to help him feel much better
July 26, 2020
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Minature Dachshund
Twelve Years
27 found this helpful
27 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
My dog is having dark red bloody jelly like stools and isn't wanting to eat but only drinking water. I just need to know what to do to help her or to make her comfortable if she isn't going to make it?
July 23, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
27 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry to hear that your dog isn't feeling well. Dark bloody jelly stool usually indicated that your dog may have Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis or HGE. This usually requires medication and fluids from your vet. Your vet can help your dog feel better and prescribe him medication.
I hope your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 23, 2020
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Lhasa Apso
Thirteen Years
9 found this helpful
9 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting Diarrhoea
My dogs poop is black and tarry and His puke is white and foamy, he’s also being very lazy, not moving around at all not eating, what can I do?
July 15, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
9 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
There are many things that can cause those signs, including systemic disease, intestinal infection, or parasites. He does sound quite ill, and the best thing to do for him would be to have him seen by a veterinarian. They will be able to examine him, see what might be going on, and get treatment for him. I hope that he is okay.
July 15, 2020
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Shih Tzu
Coco
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anemia
Tired
Lack Of Appetite
Black Tar Stool
Coco has been diagnosed with kidney disease, anemia and either a bleeding ulcer or a tumor. That gives him two to three weeks to live. She told me once he stops eating and drinking it's time to let him go. He is not eating for me very well in the last 2 days. How much longer do you think Coco has?
Great Pyrenees
Coco
2 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Frequent Urination
Farts
Black Poo
Slimy Poo
My puppy is only 2 moths old. Since I got her, her poo has been dark and firm, sometimes runny, and sometime a combination of both. I took her to the vet for her first round shots. They also gave her a dewormer and it work. But she kept pooping the same. But now she poos very little and is still dark, runny, slimy, she poo in the house once and I clean it, and it looked kind of red in the paper towel. she also started to urinate prior to her poo. she also sleeps a lot, but when she's awake she's energetic and wants to play, but no so much now. I have been giving her dry food since the beginning, and liked it at first, but know she doesn't want to it, so I got another one and she eats it fine. I took her outside so she could poo, and her poo is kind of dark brown and dark, but is still runny and slimy, she has also fart several times and vomit once
Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood Average Cost
From 21 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$450
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