Why is There Blood in My Dog’s Stool?
When blood appears outside of a dog’s blood vessels—whether in their stool or elsewhere—it can cause concern, and rightly so. Blood in a dog’s stool signals various potential health issues, some more serious than others. Understanding what you’re seeing can help you better communicate with your vet. Blood in Dog Stool If you spot blood in your dog’s stool, whether it’s firm or loose like diarrhea, your first step should be to contact your veterinarian. Dogs can’t express discomfort verbally, so discovering blood in their poop is a clear indication of a problem. There are two main types of bloody stool: hematochezia and melena. Hematochezia refers to bright red blood in the stool, which suggests bleeding in the lower digestive tract or colon. Melena is characterized by dark, sticky, tar-like stool, which indicates digested or swallowed blood, suggesting an issue in the upper digestive tract. You can confirm melena by wiping the stool with a paper towel to check for a reddish tint. Brigh...