Blood in Dog Stool

Passing of blood in the stool is considered quite normal for dogs. However, when there is heavy discharge of red or fresh clots of blood in the dog's stool, it can be a serious cause of consideration for a pet owner. So, let us try to understand in detail what does blood in the dog's stool means, and what are its causes and treatment options.

What Does Blood in a Dog's Stool Mean?
Blood in s dog's stool in medical terms is known as hematochezia or melena. In hematochezia, the blood in the dog's stool is fresh, bright red in color and is most likely driven from the lower intestines, typically the colon and the rectum. A dog suffering from hematochezia may also have problem while defecating. Melena in dog stool, causes the feces to look black and tarry, indicating that the blood is digested and driven from the upper intestinal tract. The presence of hematochezia in dogs can be a sign of either a minor problem, or a potentially more severe disorder. However, normally melena in dogs is more distressful and serious than an occasional case of hematochezia.

Causes
Generally, blood in the stool is a significant sign that your pet is suffering from some kind of gastrointestinal disorder. A rare presence of blood can be considered as a minor or transient event. However, repeated occurrences of blood in the stools along with diarrhea are more serious problems which should not be ignored. Apart from gastrointestinal disorders, there are various other probable causes for blood and mucous in dog stool which are:

• Bacterial infections like food poisoning and typhoid
• Dog allergies from food additives, emulsifiers or fats
• Intestinal parasites or dog worms, including whipworm, tapeworm and ringworm
• Presence of benign and malignant tumors in the abdomen or anal region
• Disruption of colon or rectum, due to fractures in the pelvic region
• Overeating or ingestion of sharp things like bone, plastic, needles
• Abrupt change in the dietary plan
• Viral infections like parvovirus and coronavirus
• Blood clotting disorders (coagulopathy)
• Inflammation of the colon, anal sacs and rectum
• Intussusception, i.e., the telescoping of one part of the bowel into another

Diagnosis
The most common way of diagnosingthis problem is to take the stool sample to the veterinarian for detecting parasites and other viruses. The dog has to undergo a thorough physical exam to determine if it has been infected by any kind of anal sac infection. Examination of the feces can indicate the presence of parasites, bacteria or viruses that might not be visible to the naked eye. Hence, the vet may conduct a blood test and can also ask for X-rays.

Treatment
The treatment depends on the severity of the condition and its underlying cause. Medications or antibiotics with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties like dewormers can be given orally or injected into the dog's body. Cleansing enemas or local surgeries may be employed to extract foreign bodies like bones and needles. The dog may have to undergo a surgery to remove masses of colon or rectum, if diagnosed. In severe cases, where dog may also suffer vomiting and diarrhea, intravenous fluid and electrolyte treatment becomes vital.

Blood in the dog's stool due to gastrointestinal disorders can be cured by feeding the dog a high fiber or hypoallergenic diet. A diet comprising white rice, cottage cheese and boiled potatoes proves to be helpful in curing or limiting blood in the stool. In fact adding 2 - 3 cloves of garlic to the dog's dinner on a daily basis will also be beneficial. Although the aforementioned remedies or treatment help to overcome the problem, they should only be given under the veterinarian's supervision to avoid further complications and to promote optimal dog's health.