If your dog is vomiting blood, consult your vet. Depending on the circumstances and the patient’s medical history, the vet may want to see your pet right away. The more information you can provide the vet about your dog, the better. Medical history, medications, exposure to toxins or foreign objects, behaviors, and information about their general health (eating and digestion) can give vital clues to the cause.
The vet will run blood tests to check for coagulopathy, anemia, high levels of white blood cells (indicative of infection), and other diseases, like liver and kidney disease. A urinalysis may also be completed. At this point, if there is not severe blood loss and the vet is confident of the cause, they may start medical therapy immediately.
If the cause is still unknown or the patient has not improved after medical treatment, further diagnostics will likely be performed. The vet may then complete an ultrasound and X-rays to check for masses and ulcers. If a cause can still not be determined, a gastroduodenoscopy can be performed to determine the locations and operability of ulcers and tumors. Exploratory surgery will be the next recommendation if the cause is still unknown.
Ensuring the patient is hydrated will be the vet’s first treatment, and this may include intravenous fluids and electrolytes. The vet may also prescribe antiemetics (anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medication).
If NSAIDs are suspected, they should be discontinued immediately. If an ulcer is determined to be the cause, the vet will prescribe antacids. He or she will use activated charcoal if poison or an overdose is suspected. In case of an infection, the vet will either prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial infection or treat the symptoms for a viral infection. Surgery may be required for foreign objects, tumors, and internal injuries. Chemotherapy may be recommended for gastrointestinal cancer. For dogs with autoimmune issues, a strict diet recommended by the vet will help avoid allergens in food.
There are no appropriate home remedies for a dog vomiting blood unless explicitly recommended by a vet. Even if there is a small amount of blood or the issue does not otherwise seem that serious, it is still worth contacting your vet to ensure it is not something life-threatening.