Blood In Dog Stool But Acting Normal

Some dog owners can see blood in the stool of their dogs. This looks like a huge issue and they are immediately worried. It does look bad and it is not something you should ignore. But below we are going to reveal all the main things you need to know and also cover less-known facts. Blood in dog stool but acting normal matter is actually more complicated than you may believe. Now you will see why.

Possible Causes

There are all kinds of causes, obviously. Some of you may know that some of these issues are harmless and they will go away. Others are severe and need immediate attention. Blood in dog stool but acting normal doesn’t mean that the problem is harmless. It may also mean that the cause is at the beginning so a dog doesn’t suffer from pain or massive discomfort. Anyway, blood in the stool can happen due to:

• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Cancer
• HG (hemorrhagic gastroenteritis)
• Parvovirus
• Parvovirus
• Food intolerance (severe)
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Not all of these are huge problems that will require immediate attention. However, they are still problems so you will want to pay attention to the dog and monitor his behavior. 

When To Take Him To A Vet?

If this happens just once or it happens a few times and then goes away, you don’t have to take a dog to a vet. It means that he ate something that doesn’t agree with his intestine. He may have food intolerance also. Your dog will recover fast and there is no need to start a treatment or do anything similar.

But, if this lasts for a couple of days or you can even see blood draping from the anus of the dog, you must take him to the vet as soon as possible. These are more severe signs and professional help is something your pet does need right now. Keep in mind that you will have to explain the issue to the vet. This means you will have to explain to him how the poop looks and how the blood looks as well!

First, you will have to explain how the poop looks. Is it soft, hard, the color of it, and all the rest you can think of. Some owners can bring the sample with them while going to the vet. This is a good idea.

Secondly, you will have to explain the color of the blood. If it is bright red, the blood comes from the lower digestive tract. You can see dripping blood from the anus of the dog if this is the case. Black or dark blood means that it comes from the upper digestive tract. The blood is digested, hence the dark color. 

Explaining these things to a vet can help your dog. He will know better where the blood comes from and which treatment he should prescribe. Yes, this is not an appealing thing to explain and look after, but it is mandatory. A vet will examine the dog and he will diagnose the issue. Many tests are ideal for this just to be certain. 

Possible Treatments

Once the vet is done with his tests, he will prescribe a treatment. Luckily most dogs end up with changes in their diet. A vet may also tell you that your dog must not consume a particular food. Food is the problem here and as such, avoiding it is the solution. 

In more severe cases a vet will prescribe medications. Some of these medications are designed to fight parasites. In rare cases surgery is mandatory. This will be an option if a dog has cancer, massive obstruction, or something similar that causes the problem. 

Avoid Using Home Remedies

These days almost all dog owners like and want to use home remedies. These do sound fun and appealing. They can make the remedy at home and they believe it is 100% healthy. This is not the case with blood in the stool. Even if your dog acts normal, home remedies can be a problem.

Simply said, a dog may have a severe or specific health problem. A remedy you can give to him may make that problem even worse. It can irritate the intestine or can promote obstruction. One way or another, these are all issues that you don’t want to encounter. 

It is a much better idea to take your pet to a vet as soon as you notice this problem than to start with a home remedy. Even if you are certain that it will work, avoid it. There are a lot of things you need to know before you start with home remedies. The risk is too high!

Stress Can Cause Blood In The Stool As Well

It may sound like a completely irrelevant thing but it can happen. Stress can cause blood in the stool. If a dog has a phobia from the storm, for instance, he will be under massive stress. If this lasts long, he can end up with colitis. This is a condition that will cause bloody stool. Try to remember that your pet can be under stress when you move, change something in your life, etc. It is important to always make these changes as slowly as possible. 

Colitis will cause colon inflammation. The colon will be unable to absorb water properly. It will also have a much lower ability to store feces. When that happens diarrhea is possible as well. Usually, the stool will be paired with mucus and blood. A vet will tell you to change the diet and use a more appropriate one for this condition. 

The Final Word

Blood in dog stool but acting normal can happen to your dog. If that happens, you will need to stay calm and pay attention to all the changes you have made and all the changes a dog may show. It is always the best idea to take him to a vet within 24 hours. A proper examination paired with a treatment is a powerful thing your dog needs.

Recommended Readings:

• My Dog Is Hiding And Acting Strange.
• My Dog Has Diarrhea But Is Acting Fine.