by H. Marlow

Created on: July 15, 2010

Hematochezia or bloody stool in dogs can be caused by a variety of things. The causes range from serious to trivial, which means that it is always important to take your dog to a veterinarian to be evaluated as soon as the symptoms start. Below I will list a few of the most common causes of Hematochezia.

•Parvovirus: 

Parvovirus is a disease that mostly afflicts puppies, whose immune systems are not yet strong enough to defend them, is a virus that attacks the Gastrointestinal System disallowing the absorption of nutrients from food. The result is an extremely watery bloody diarrhea along with vomiting. It can also cause severe dehydration and eventually death if not treated. Fortunately there is a vaccine for the virus, though there is still a chance that the disease could be contracted. Though it is most commonly seen in puppies, older dogs still have a chance of catching the virus.

•Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

Much like Parvovirus, Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis or HGE causes an extremely watery, bloody stool and sometimes vomiting. The causes of HGE are mostly unknown and it is easily treated with fluid therapy and antibiotics in caught quickly enough. 

•Masses or Injuries

Masses or injuries to the colon, rectum or anus cause cause stool to be bloody. The difference from the previous two causes is that stool will most likely be of a normal consistency, but be spotted with blood. Also, anal gland abscesses can rupture and begin to bleed making it appear that the dog is having bloody diarrhea.

•Eating Foreign Objects

If a dog ingests foreign objects, it can sometimes cause stool to become bloody if there has been damage done to the digestive system. It the upper digestive system has been injured, blood in the stool will most likely look black in color. X-rays can be used to confirm the existence of a foreign object.

*Rat Poison Toxicity

Rat poison is an anticoagulant, and if not caught and treated promptly can result in bloody stool and bleeding around the nose and mouth. Also bloody clotting disorders can have the same effect. Blood tests can be run at your vet to confirm whether or not there is a deficiency in clotting time.

Food Allergies

•Severe food allergies or frequently changing your dog's food can cause bloody stools. If your dog has food sensitivity, it may be a good idea to put him on a bland diet. Always consult your veterinarian to be sure that your dog is receiving the proper nutrients.

Theses are a few of the most common causes of bloody stool in dogs. There are a wide range of causes, some major and some minor. It is extremely important to seek veterinary care early before the problems are exacerbated. Even if the cause is a food allergy, it could always be something serious like Parvovirus. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

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