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As a pet parent, you are certain to be alarmed if you observe your dog vomiting and passing blood in the stool. Some dogs will vomit and have bloody diarrhea, but continue to eat or drink. If you observe that your dog is having bloody diarrhea and vomiting, they need to see a veterinarian immediately. While some causes of your dog pooping blood and vomiting may be easily treatable, others are life-threatening. It is always best to err on the side of caution. Several conditions can cause your dog to have a bloody stool and vomit:
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is characterized by sudden onset of bloody diarrhea in a dog with no previous issues. Vomiting may or may not accompany the bloody diarrhea. The refusal to eat (anorexia) and listlessness have also been observed. Dehydration can soon take place as the body empties of liquid and it is not replaced. This is a situation in which you need to get your pup to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Shock can occur without treatment. Stress is thought to be a factor in this condition. Toy breeds are thought to have a higher instance of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, especially between the ages of two and four. While these dogs have a higher occurrence of the disease, any breed of dog can acquire it. Gender is nonspecific as well.
Intestinal Obstruction
Because dogs sometimes eat things that they should not, intestinal obstructions can be somewhat common occurrences. An intestinal obstruction can be a partial blocking of the small intestines. Blood supply to the GI tract can be cut off or compromised during a blockage, and, without treatment, sections of the intestine may die. Perforations may occur as a result. Bacteria can seep into the gut, causing septic peritonitis. Unfortunately, emergency surgery is often required to eliminate an obstruction.
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that normally affects young dogs (ages six weeks to six months) that have not completed all their immunizations. Transmission occurs when a dog comes in contact with contaminated objects – and these objects can be food bowls, shoes, clothing, even the ground. The virus can live for up to a year, and it is not easily eradicated. Parvovirus is resistant to most household cleaners; bleach is basically the only cleaner strong enough to kill parvovirus. Parvovirus can be transmitted when a dog licks any material that has come in contact with the virus – including feces – and then licks himself. Initial symptoms include fever and lethargy. Dogs may refuse food and water. Within 48 hours, profuse vomiting and diarrhea will often begin.
Parasites
One of the more common causes of bloody stool in dogs is parasites. Hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms are known to cause blood in the stool. Coccidia is another parasite that has been associated with bloody stools. No breed is any more or less susceptible to parasites than others.
Changes in Your Dog’s Diet
Overeating, indiscriminate eating, or changing your dog’s diet may cause stress on the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bloody stools. Food allergies can also cause bloody diarrhea, and unintentionally eating spoiled food can cause your dog to have bloody diarrhea and vomiting as well.
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If you suspect your dog has parvovirus, get him to the veterinarian immediately. Puppies can dehydrate quickly and sepsis can set in. Once your dog is vomiting and experiencing diarrhea, the virus has already progressed greatly.
If your dog has hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, your veterinarian will have to do many tests to eliminate other possible causes. There is no known exact cause of the condition. However, a dog that has had one incidence of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis may be more likely to have more episodes. You may actually see evidence of parasites in your dog’s bloody diarrhea, but this is not always the case. Your veterinarian will take a stool sample and examine it for parasites. If they are present, he will prescribe appropriate deworming medication. If your dog has an intestinal obstruction, he may be in a good deal of pain in addition to the bloody stool. Your veterinarian may need to do x-rays in order to confirm the diagnosis. Experts recommend gradually changing your dog’s diet in order to avoid gastrointestinal stress.
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Always take caution when taking your unvaccinated dog into high-traffic areas such as public places or groomers. Also, be aware that parvovirus can live on the ground for up to a year. Your dog will receive the last vaccination against parvo at around sixteen weeks. Until then, take extra caution around strange dogs. Stress is a known factor in dogs with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, so try to minimize stress in toy breeds. Keeping your dog regularly dewormed will help prevent intestinal parasites.
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Treating parvovirus in dogs can be an expensive treatment ranging from $500 to $12,000. This cost will be dependent upon the stage of the virus when you get to the veterinarian. The vaccination to prevent Parvovirus typically costs around $25, so this is one that is easily prevented. The average cost to treat hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is $1000-3000.
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Written by hannah hollinger
Veterinary reviewed by: Michele K.
Published: 07/23/2017, edited: 04/16/2021
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Pit Bull
3 maybe 4
Unknown severity
3 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Today my dog has been throwing up yesterday slimy stuff he hasn’t ate or drank anything and his stool is slimy and red I believe it’s blood I don't know if he’s sick or not I need help somebody please give me answers
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If your dog is not eating or drinking, and he is vomiting and having bloody diarrhea, he is sick. It would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian right away, as they can examine him and see what might be causing this problem. Once they know more, they will be able to let you know what treatment he might need. I hope that he is okay.
Oct. 5, 2020
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Pit Bull
Three Years maybe 4
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Can you help me ? Idk what to do he keeps throwing up and pooping red slimy stuff I think is blood
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. The signs that you describe sounds like he is quite ill, and needs to see a veterinarian. Whether he has a parasites, an intestinal infection or blockage, or another problem, they will be able to examine him and see what can be done for him. I hope that all goes well for him.
Oct. 5, 2020
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Cross breed of German Shepherd and Caucasian male
8 Years
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
What could be wrong.....?
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. There are many possible causes for what you are describing, including intestinal infections, foreign bodies, parasites, eating things that they shouldn't, or intestinal cancer. Giving the medications that your veterinarian prescribed is the best thing to do, and follow up with them if things are not improving. I hope that all goes well for you dog!
Oct. 7, 2020
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Australian Cattle Dog
Four Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
vomiting daily , diarrhea sometimes traces of blood found
Sept. 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Puppies are very prone to parasites and infectious diseases, and if your puppy is vomiting daily and has diarrhea, having him/her seen by a veterinarian would be a good idea. They will be able to examine your pup and see what might be causing this.
Oct. 8, 2020
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English Bulldog
Ten Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
I just got this dog and he is pooping nothing but blood
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I am sorry for the delay, this platform is not set up for urgent emails. Puppies are commonly affected by parasites, intestinal infections, infectious disease, or eating things that they should not. It would be best to have him seen as soon as possible by a veterinarian, as they can examine him and see what might be causing this.
Oct. 10, 2020
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Sam
dachshound
12 Years
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I have a 12 year old dachshund that is vomiting bile and pooping blood on occasion (about once weekly). The next day he is running around like a puppy. I am still paying off a ridiculously high medical bill for him (he choked on a bone and then got pneumonia) and I am trying to avoid getting more in debt. I don't want him to be uncomfortable and I don't know how do help him.
Sonya
Maltese poodle
3 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
Hello, i need help, my dog was hit by a car a month ago, his legs where broken and i took him to the vet. He had surgery two weeks ago, unfortunately he does not look fine. He was not being fed at the vet, as i traveled out of the country and just found out. his would is septic and looks red, he is pooping blood and has diarrhea. He is also vomiting after eating. what should i do?please help.
SUNNY
Cocker Spaniel
14 Years
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Hello I have a 14 and a half Coker spaniel and he has been pooping orange soft bits with blood spots on the first day and I put Jim on a diet bit it didn't work so we took him to the vet on the third day.they injected him with antibiotic and gave us "naturabio" for home care. On the second day of naturabio my dog pooped again these orange thing he has not stopped pooping but with blood again. He has puked twice since the onset as well. E has one testicle that never dropped could it be cancer or something else?
Spade
Labrador Retriever
14 Months
Moderate severity
2 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Hello, my 14 month old Lab stared to have some small blood stools a few days ago. But has been the same energy levels, behaviour and happy. I thought it was something he ate. Today For dinner I gave him a third of his normal dinner which he ate. And he vomited a mix of food, blood, mucus, and grass 8 hrs after. He seems attentive and the same but lethargic. The last time he had water was around dinner time.
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