Dog's dark poop & low appetite after deworming: Is it a side effect?

Dark stool is usually not a problem unless the stool looks tarry. Tarry looking stool contains digested blood which could be from feeding raw meat, or stomach or intestinal bleeds. Apoquel's most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Intestinal or stomach bleeding is not listed. If you are also giving other medications this will need to be investigated. Please take a stool sample to your vet if you suspect it has a tarry appearance, If the stool is just dark brown, it is quite normal and nothing to worry about.

Black stool indicates digested blood from the upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach or upper small intestines). It could be that Daisy's dewormer killed a large burden of parasites in her stomach that contained blood, or that she has a significant GI ulcer. Daisy should see her vet to determine if there is a likelihood of active bleeding, a heavy burden of parasites in her stool, and then treat with any necessary antacids. Given her young age, this sign is more concerning and urgent in nature.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A small amount of blood can be expected not as a result of the deworming per se but more as an effect of the worms that are likely there. If if it just a small amount of possibly blood in the stools, I would continue to monitor him for now. If no improvement is noted within a few days, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian could check if this is truly blood and see if Willow needs any other supportive therapy such as a medications for possible colitis. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello. In the short term, such as a day or two after worming, the stool can become soft. Nothing to worry about as long as Luna is happy, playful & eating well. If the diarrhea persists past a few days, or she develops any lethargy, vomiting or loses her appetite, please see your vet immediately. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That could be possibly the consequence of the deworming tablet which is causing some stomach upset. I would recommend to start a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice every 6 hours in small portions for the next 3 days. Then gradually go back to normal diet through the following week. If the signs persist or if you notice vomiting, inappetence or lethargy a check up at your local veterinarian would be needed.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Feces should be a dark brown color, this is completely normal. It should be firm but not too dry. I would continue to monitor Luna's stools for any changes. If you see a pattern that is abnormal (red blood, dark black stool can be a sign of bleeding high in the intestinal tract, gelatinous stools mean the colon may be inflammed or whipworms are present, very light color stools, very loose stools, very dry stools) then you should contact your veterinarian and discuss what is going on. Good luck with Luna.

He could have colitis secondary to something he ate. You could feed him a bland diet of chicken breast and white rice for a few days and see if that helps. You could also add a probiotic to his diet, like Fortiflora or Proviable. If the abnormal stools continue then he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat. Your vet can run a fecal test to make sure he doesn't have a parasite.