My dog eats string, has bloody stools. Are her intestines damaged?

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I recommend taking Cujo to see a veterinarian. If he ate rope and he is now having bloody stool, it is possible he has an intestinal obstruction or a very upset stomach. Your veterinarian will do a full physical exam and determine if additional diagnostic tests such as x-rays or bloodwork are warranted. Good luck and I hope Cujo feels better soon.

You did the right thing by cutting the thread. NEVER pull on a string or thread like that. If it is threaded back through her intestines it can cut through. Because this may be the case, I would get her checked by your vet as soon as possible, especially if she starts showing signs of sickness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, etc.

If the string came out very easily without having to pull hard, it may be OK. If you had to put a lot of tension when pulling it, there is a chance the string could have cut the esophagus. Watch closely for vomiting (especially with blood), gagging, difficulty swallowing or decreased appetite. Also watch for black, tarry stools. This is a sign of bleeding in the esophagus, stomach or small intestines. If any of these symptoms are seen, I would take her to a veterinarian immediately. They may want to do blood work, x-rays, or even use a scope to evaluate the esophagus for injuries.

Oh that is so horrible Luna was on a meat farm! I'm so glad you saved her. Yes, I would take her into a vet now. I'm concerned that the toy could be causing damage to her GI tract leading to the blood in her feces. She should have be checked out asap. I hope this helps.

Poor Ashley! Diarrhea and vomiting could be caused by parasites, change in diet toxin ingestion, infectious diseases, blockage in the intestines caused by ingestion of a foreign body, or a mass/growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Based on what she threw up, I'm concerned that there may be more string/ toy stuffing causing a blockage in Ashley's gastrointestinal tract. It is important that you have Ashley seen by a veterinarian immediately to help determine the cause of the symptoms, as if there is a blockage it could be life threatening, and she may need surgery to resolve it. Your vet may want to check her bloodwork and take x-rays to help determine what is going on with Ashley and to start appropriate treatment.

Toilet paper should pass, but may cause some digestive upset or cause blockage of the bowels if enough was eaten. That said, blood from the stomach is usually dark red or black, and blood from the rectum/anus is a brighter red color. If Brie has eaten any new treats or foods, that can also affect stool color. If the red stool and vomit only occurred once after eating the toilet paper, I would continue to monitor Brie for any other signs of a blockage, These include continued vomiting and diarrhea, blood in either still, hunched or tender abdomen, bloated abdomen, not wanting to eat or drink, or attempting to vomit or defecate without success, as these are all signs of a medical emergency. You may also want to offer a bland diet for a few days to help with any minor digestive upset. Boiled chicken and rice is an easy option on the stomach. If you suspect a blockage, the symptoms continue, or Brie isn't improving, vet care ASAP is best.

It's likely a foreign body. Bologna wrappers​ or string are common culprits. Do not pull on it. It may come out when she defacates, but she should be checked by your veterinarian to make sure it isn't wrapped up in her bowel.