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Pooping Blood in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 04/30/2017Updated: 06/03/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Pooping Blood?
Should your dog be pooping blood (also known as hematochezia or having blood in his stool), it is likely that you will notice when you are scooping up his poop. There are various reasons as to why your dog would be pooping blood to include:
- Infectious agents
- Dietary intolerance or allergy
- Tumors
- Colitis
- Proctitis
- Trauma
- Bleeding disorder
- Narrowing of anus or colon
- Anal sacculitis
- Perianal fistulae
How serious it is that your dog is pooping blood will depend upon its cause. Blood in your dog’s stool will frequently point to an underlying condition that needs to be identified and addressed.
Why Pooping Blood Occurs in Dogs
The reason for your dog pooping blood will depend upon its cause. For example:
Infectious Agents
Parvovirus, corona virus, bacterial infections (Clostridium and Salmonella), protozoal agents like coccidiosis and intestinal parasites like hookworms and whipworms are all infectious agents that can lead to blood in your dog’s stool.
Dietary Intolerance and Allergy
This can occur as the result of eating food that is no longer good, overeating, consuming a material that is not edible, a sudden change in diet or eating their human’s food can cause inflammation in your dog’s lower bowel and blood in their stool. An allergy can occur to a protein in a particular food causing colitis and blood in your dog’s stool.
Masses
These can be present in the colon, rectum or anus and include benign and malignant tumors.
Colitis
When blood in your dog’s stool is ongoing, it can point to his colon being inflamed, which is also called colitis. Colitis can be caused by a parasite, mass, infectious agent, food intolerance or allergy, as well as due to an immune-related or unknown cause.
Trauma
Trauma from a bite wound to your dog’s anal area, a pelvic fracture that interrupts the colon or rectum, a sharp item ingested and passed or an instrument or material being placed in your dog’s rectum can lead to blood in his stool.
Bleeding Disorders
Should your dog have a bleeding disorder, he may bleed from the lining of his lower bowel. Types of bleeding disorders include thrombocytopenia, which is when there is a decrease in the number of your dog’s platelets, inherited clotting disorders like hemophilia and abnormal platelet function problems, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (the result of a severe infection, organ failure or a major liver disorder).
Narrowing of Anus or Colon
This is secondary to other trauma, inflammation, cancer or foreign body. When stools are passed when the anus or colon are narrowed, bleeding can occur.
Anal Sacculitis
An inflammation or an abscess of the anal sacs can lead to the consistency of the fluid in the anal sacs to change into a bloody liquid. This liquid can provide a coating to the stools as your dog defecates.
Perianal Fistulae
Ulcerations that can be seen in the skin around your dog’s anus. If the ulcerations connect to the anus, blood can be present in the stool.
What to do if your Dog is Pooping Blood
If your dog is pooping blood, you will want to make an appointment for him to be examined by your veterinarian to determine what is causing this to occur. Upon examining your dog, your veterinarian will likely ask you for information regarding any other signs you have observed in your dog. Signs that may be connected to your dog pooping blood include:
- His having to strain during a bowel movement
- More bowel movements than usual
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
After discussing any signs that you have noticed in your dog and depending upon what is seen during the examination, your veterinarian may conduct a rectal examination, a complete blood count and biochemistry profile, urinalysis, fecal examination, coagulation profile, abdominal x-rays and ultrasound and/or a colonoscopy. Through the examination, an understanding of the signs your dog is experiencing and the test results, your veterinarian will determine why your dog has blood in his stool.
Prevention of Pooping Blood
To prevent an infection by infectious agents, you will want to keep a close eye on your dog and keep him on his leash so as to ensure that he does not eat feces of an unknown animal. It is also important to keep your dog from eating food that has spoiled and minimize the human food that he eats. A veterinarian or technician can perform anal gland expression on a monthly basis which will help your dog avoid developing anal sacculitis.
Providing your dog a well-rounded, nutritious diet and ensuring he gets plenty of exercise will help his overall health. It is a good idea to take your dog for annual examinations so that your veterinarian can catch any issues before they become a serious health concern.
Cost of Pooping Blood
The cost of treatment for your dog having blood in his stool will depend on why it is occurring. If your dog is experiencing colitis, the average cost is $800.00. Treatment for a bacterial infection in your dog can average around $150, depending upon your location.
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Pooping Blood Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pit Bull
Eight Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
My dog just stopped eat and now he started to get diarrhea now it’s blood. He has a vet appointment tomorrow, but my anxiety is to the extreme bc I’ve never dealt with this before with my other dogs ages 12, 6, and 4. I’m so afraid of letting this continue overnight. He’s drinking plenty of water but gagging it back up. He was fine til yesterday night
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello-
Thank you for your question. I am sorry your puppy is not feeling well. Diarrhea with blood is not uncommon in dogs when their colon is inflamed which occurs with diarrhea. With that being said if he continues to vomit and is having diarrhea I worry about dehydration. It would be a good idea to consider having him seen at the emergency veterinarian tonight so they can assess the cause of the vomiting, diarrhea and inappetence and provide some anti-emetics, fluids and supportive care measures to help him feel better. I hope he feels better soon.
Aug. 6, 2020
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German Shepherd
3.5 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
We started giving our dog Cefpodoxime about a week and a half ago to treat an infected cut on his skin. Three days ago we first noticed what looked like blood in his stool, which is also loose. Then last night we were certain we saw blood. Otherwise, he seems totally fine, doesn't appear to be in any stress. We called the veterinarian who prescribed the medicine, but the earliest they can see him is a week away. They only suggested feeding him a bland diet. We finished the antibiotic two nights ago. Do we need to take him to the emergency room, or should we wait to see if the bland diet helps?
Aug. 5, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If he is doing well otherwise, I think it is reasonable to see if the bland diet helps. The antibiotic may have upset his GI tract, and a bland diet often helps for uncomplicated GI upset. If he becomes lethargic, or you are noticing more blood or vomiting, then it would be best to have him seen right away.
I hope that he feels better soon.
Aug. 5, 2020
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi
2 years & 4 months old
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Runny Stools Sometimes With Blood
We recently moved and about four days ago she did not have a bowel movement and woke us up around 4:00am to take her out and she pooped a lot. The next day and continuing she has had runny stools sometimes with blood and mucus in them. I have been giving her white rice and pumpkin and things have not slowed down. Any suggestions?
July 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Dogs can get a stress colitis, and that may be what is going on with her. If it has not improved with the rice and pumpkin over 3 days, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian, as that bland diet will typically help with simple diarrhea. They will be able to examine her, make sure that nothing is wrong, and get medication to help the diarrhea resolve.
I hope that all goes well for her!
July 30, 2020
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Golden Retriever
Seven Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My dog ate one pound of butter 12 hours ago. She vomited 3 hours after and then 12 hours later she has pooped what looks like more butter out but has blood in it. What should I do?
July 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
That is a lot of fat for her body to process, and dogs do not break fat down as well as people do. If she continues to have diarrhea or vomiting, it would be best to have her seen by your veterinarian today, as they will be able to give medications to help her.
I hope that all goes well for her!
July 28, 2020
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Golden Retriever
9 months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
She came into heat yesterday morning and has had diarrhea since. My vet when I called said to feed her boiled chicken and rice with a little bit of pumpkin. I have been doing that for a day now. Before that, she was avoiding her food and her water. She loved the chicken and rice and chowed it down and I was able to manage mixing in some water with it too. As the night went on, she came to be more of her normal self and would go drink. However when she went to go to the bathroom this morning it was complete liquid but with blood mixed in with it. Is this common or should I get her into the vet?
July 26, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello-
In dogs it is not uncommon to see blood in the stool when they are having a bowl of colitis. If the diarrhea continues I do think it would be a good idea to have her examined by a veterinarian so that they can provide medications to help stop the diarrhea and help settle her stomach. I would recommend continuing to feed a blend of the chicken and rice diet until stool normalizes and feeding only small frequent amounts. If she stops eating, starts vomiting or symptoms persist please have her examined by your veterinarian.
July 26, 2020
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Rottweiler
Demon
7 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
My 7 month old Rottweiler has pooped blood. Bright red blood. Otherwise he seems fine. He did get into the trash and a bag of dog food he had never eaten before night before last. i am scared to death.
