My dog has blood/mucus in stool, gurgling stomach, no appetite. Why?

You are right to be concerned. This is not normal and I'm also concerned about this bloody, mucusy poop. Since he's feeling fine you can wait until tomorrow but I would bring Max in for an exam and have them check a fecal sample in the morning. This can be from many reasons including parasites, a reaction to a drug, colitis, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or something causing bleeding in the intestinal tract. They will also want to check to make sure he is hydrated and not anemic and that his blood is clotting normally. Once they get a diagnosis they can then start the appropriate treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Max.

Poor dog. Bloody loose stool is called hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) and is commonly caused by stress on the GI tract, although other possibilities are still possible. Which is why it is always recommended to get your pet checked by your veterinarian for a full exam, to make sure they are stable. And then the pet is typically prescribed an antibiotic (i.e. Metronidazole) and a probiotic to help the pet recover from this episode. Care has to be taken in the future to avoid stressful events, and also to limit food changes that can upset the GI (gastrointestinal) tract again, causing another bout of HGE. Here is more information on this condition. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2946

The color of the vomit could be caused by some blood (e.g. an injury in the esophagus) or coloring of the food he ate or severe inflammation somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Max for 24 hours and then put him on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to his regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or stays bloody, or if he gets lethargic, he needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.

Blood in the stool, even if it seems to "go away" and come back later, is never normal. The fact that it's accompanied by diarrhea suggests colitis, or inflammation of the colon, as opposed to some type of bleeding mass in the rectum or colon. Colitis can have a number of causes, including dietary indiscretion (eating something rotten or non-food), parasites, food allergies/food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, or infection. Leah may improve with a diet change, perhaps a more digestible diet specifically for gastrointestinal problems. To assume it's a "tummy issue" could be to ignore causes that are treatable, and at this point she's not only having diarrhea but she also lost her appetite. It's been three days and she's not improving, so I recommend having her seen by her vet for labwork to include parasite testing, blood work, and urinalysis for starters. If all is normal consider a bland diet (as recommended above), and a probiotic supplement. Ultimately, she may need to have biopsies taken to diagnose the exact cause.

Max may have chronic diarrhea related to several issues including GI parasites, food sensitivities, or internal medical issues like inflammatory bowel disease. I'd recommend having him examined by your veterinarian and having a stool sample checked out. It would also be a good idea to try a higher quality food like Royal Canin Sensitive stomach. You can also feed a bland diet of boiled chicken and sweet potato or rice for a couple days to see if this helps. Often times a good sensitivity will develop later in life so Max may need a diet change to resolve the issue. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope the issue resolves for Max quickly!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! How old is Max? If his belly seems distended and he is now acting ill, my concern would be that the swelling could be due to fluid in his abdomen (blood or free fluid), or a stomach torsion. This can be due to a splenic growth, liver disease, a toxin ingestion, or another underlying medical issue. If his gums are pale, not pink, I would have him evaluated immediately by a veterinarian, as it could be due to internal bleeding, or if he has non-productive retching (indicative of a stomach torsion). If his gums look pink and moist, I would still recommend he be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as you can to determine what the underlying swelling is, and what necessary treatment needs to be taken to resolve it. Good luck!

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Dear Gigi has a pretty severe case of gastroenteritis. This may have been caused by her ingesting some inappropriate foods ( garbage ), parasites ( such as hookworms & whipworms, or coccidia ), or some infectious agent including bacteria & Parvovirus. The lining of the intestines can bleed fairly easily & the mucous is a result of inflammation in the gut. She is probably nauseous & may even have some belly pain, or at least is in some discomfort from cramping. With prompt & proper treatment she will hopefully start feeling better very soon & make a full recovery.