My dog ate a branch, has diarrhea and bloody poop. Should I worry?

Hi there and thanks for posting! I wouldn't start to worry unless Harley starts experiencing an increase in bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. You can try feeding him a bland diet of chicken and rice with a few tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling ) for a day or two and see if that helps firm up his stool a bit. If the diarrhea and vomiting continue happening, however, I would recommend having Harley seen by his veterinarian. There may be other causes such as a viral or parasitic infection that will need to be ruled out with your vet. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Since you're seeing bloody stool or bloody [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/diarrhea-1/), I recommend getting her in to see your vet as soon as possible. One of the sharp bone ends may have caused irritation or internal injury. Bright, red blood may indicate injury in the colon or lower intestine while dark, tarry stool may indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper intestine. If she is not passing the bones she needs to be seen right away. However, if she is behaving normally otherwise, you may be able to[ manage the bloody diarrhea at home](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea). Help 'pad' the bones passing through by offering bulky meals for a few days and even consider adding some unflavored Metamucil to wet food for her. Monitor for the following symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, obvious abdominal pain, black tarry stools or blood in the stool, lethargy. If any of these occur, getting in to [see the vet](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-vomiting-in-dogs-when-to-call-your-veterinarian/) is strongly recommended.

Cooked bones can cause a problem for dogs in a number of ways. If Chip broke the bone while eating it, it could splinter and cause problems in the GI tract. Bones can also get stuck in the GI tract. The fat can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea that continues for more than a few days, or is associated with blood in the stool, vomiting, lethargy or a poor appetite is a reason for a visit to your veterinarian. Since Chip has blood throughout his stool, I would recommend a visit to the vet. In the meantime, if he is eating and drinking normally, we will often recommend a bland easily digested diet consisting of ½ cooked white rice and ½ cooked white meat chicken (boiled without any skin or bones). If he does well with a bland diet and his diarrhea resolves, then you can slowly transition back to his normal diet over a few days. I have attached a couple of articles below that might be helpful for you. Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that he feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Blood in the stool like this could be due to a mild gastritis or colitis (inflammation of the gut from eating something that upset it), or could be the beginning of a more severe gut issue. If Harley is still eating/drinking, and playing normally, the just monitor her stools for signs of more blood. If the blood continues, or if the feces starts looking like jam, then have her into a clinic right away. If Harley is quiet, lethargic, weak, not wanting to eat, or seems painful in her stomach, then have her seen by a vet right away. You can also try feeding her a bland diet of boiled/boneless/skinless chicken breast and boiled rice in small frequent meals for the next couple days, provided she is still bright and happy. This diet will clear up most mild gastritis cases without any need for fluids or medications. Best of luck with Harley!

This behavior is suspicious for not feeling well and blood in the stool further supports that. I recommend to take in a sample of the stool for testing and have Lacey checked for parasites or an infection. Based upon the physical exam and the medical history, the doctor may recommend other diagnostics as well. In the meantime feed her a bland diet as this can help to relieve inflammation in the gut. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I would keep an eye on him, and even offer a bland meal of boiled rice and chicken to see if it helps if his symptoms have only been minor/happened once or twice. Reddish blood in the stool can indicate irritation of the lower GI tract, or even issues such as parasites. If Sparrow continues to have bloody stool, diarrhea, vomits more, is very lethargic or painful, or refuses to eat anything, it would be best to bring him into a vet for a complete workup.

I would not panic at this point and monitor his next BM. The blood and soft stool may have been from straining. Sometimes this can be an isolated occurrence I would worry and get him checked if the diarrhea or blood continues or he stops eating and vomits.