My dog has bloody, mucus-filled poop and won't eat or drink. Why?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Daisy. Contact your local rescue groups, humane societies, low-cost clinics in your area and seek help. Persistent vomiting, bloody diarrhea and lack of appetite are emergent clinic signs due to fluid/electrolyte losses. This leads to dehydration, weakness, and further downward deterioration unless the vomiting stops and the appetite returns. I would advise taking Daisy to your vet as soon as possible to have her evaluated. Many causes are possible including intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion (eating things dogs aren't supposed to), other dietary problems, gastrointestinal inflammation/infection from various sources, toxin exposure, foreign body ingestion, GI ulceration, side effects from drugs or products used, or even problems outside of the gut including pancreatitis, liver/kidney problems, among many others. Your vet can get a detailed history and perform a thorough exam. Once done, a diagnostic plan and preliminary treatment plan can be started. Most likely a minimum database of fecal/blood/urine tests and some x-rays will be advised. Treatment will be focused on the cause but early treatment could include fluids/electrolytes, anti-nausea/vomiting medicines, acid blockers, etc. Good luck with Daisy.

I am very sorry to hear that your dogs are experiencing these problems, I am sure it is very unsettling for you both. There are a number of potential causes of such clinical signs, including dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, parasite infestation, infection, and ingestion of a toxin or poison. Because you have only noticed these signs over the course of a few days I would continue to monitor them at home. Rest their gastrointestinal tracts by holding back food for a few hours. Then you can continue with a bland and easily digested food of the boiled chicken breast and white rice diet and provide plenty of fresh water. I also find that boiled, mashed skinless sweet potato is helpful for diarrhea. If they do not improve, has profuse vomiting or diarrhea, you notice fresh blood, they seems lethargic, in pain or depressed I would advise a trip to the veterinarian. I would also consider a worming treatment if you have not done so in the last 4 months; http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=35694 Here are some links to helpful resources for you; https://www.petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ I hope that answer was helpful and more importantly that they feel better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

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.

I hate to hear that Precious have you a scare! Blood in the stool can be due to many things including worms, giardia, eating something she shouldn’t have and bacterial over growth. It can also be due to more serious conditions like organ dysfunction, pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. The mucus can signify irritation as well and it has the same causes as the blood. That was smart to take her in yesterday. Make sure to give her all the medications and monitor her stool closely. If you continue to see blood or soft stool, have her re-examined and discuss next steps diagnostic wise. Make sure that she eats and drinks well and has a good energy level. Best of luck and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Kaiya. Poor girl. Blood in the poop can be caused by intestinal worms, a stomach illness, sudden change in diet, eating something rotten, a foreign body, or a severe illness like parvo. Because poop in the poop can have some very serious causes and it's been going on for a few days, it's time to see the vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing it and can treat her. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Mimi has been having diarrhea. Diarrhea with mucus can be due to a variety of reasons, including intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, food intolerance, or another underlying issue. I would recommend having her evaluated by her regular veterinarian, have any necessary testing done (fecal analysis, etc) and start any treatment (probiotic/antidiarrheal) that she may need to resolve it. Good luck!

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