Dog Blood in Stool: Causes, When to Worry, and When to Seek Care

Seeing blood in your dog’s stool can be alarming and is often a sign that something isn’t right. Blood may appear bright red (fresh blood) or dark and tarry, which can indicate bleeding higher up in the digestive tract.

While some cases may be mild, others can signal a more serious underlying condition that requires prompt veterinary attention.

Common Causes of Blood in Stool in Dogs

Blood in the stool can be caused by irritation, inflammation, or disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Common causes include:

• Dietary indiscretion (eating something unusual or irritating)
• Sudden diet changes
• Gastrointestinal infections (bacterial, viral, or parasitic)
• Intestinal parasites
• Food intolerance or allergies
• Stress or anxiety
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Toxin ingestion
• Foreign material or obstruction
• Anal gland issues

The appearance and frequency of blood can help determine the underlying cause.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While small amounts of blood may sometimes resolve, certain signs indicate your dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

You should seek care if your dog:

• Has repeated or increasing amounts of blood in the stool
• Has black, tarry stool (which may indicate internal bleeding)
• Is also vomiting or has diarrhea
• Appears lethargic or weak
• Has abdominal pain or discomfort
• Is not eating or drinking
• Is a puppy, senior dog, or has underlying health conditions

If your dog has large amounts of blood in the stool, is very weak, or collapses, this should be treated as urgent.

How We Diagnose Blood in Stool in Dogs

At Nexus Veterinary Urgent Care, we evaluate blood in the stool by identifying the underlying cause and assessing your dog’s overall health.

Diagnostics may include:

• Physical examination and abdominal palpation
• Fecal testing to check for parasites
• Bloodwork to evaluate organ function and hydration
• X-rays if obstruction or foreign material is suspected
• AFAST/TFAST ultrasound scan if needed

Our goal is to determine whether the issue is mild or requires more advanced care.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your dog’s symptoms.

Common treatments may include:

• Medications to support the gastrointestinal tract
• Anti-nausea or anti-diarrheal medications
• Deworming if parasites are present
• Fluid therapy to address dehydration
• Dietary recommendations (bland or prescription diets)
• Treatment of underlying infections or conditions

More severe cases may require hospitalization and supportive care.

When in Doubt, Give Us a Call

We provide same-day urgent care to help your pet get the care they need as soon as possible in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk. Visit us at 1124 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or call us at 757-974-8111.