My dog has pale gums and dark stools. Could it be anemia or an ulcer?

Unless there is massive blood loss in the diarrhea, resulting in the presence of frank blood or digested blood (the stool looks black in these cases), diarrhea cannot cause anemia. I'm glad to hear that Jack is still acting normally despite his diarrhea and slightly lighter pink gums. Gum color can change for a wide variety of reasons, including those associated with blood loss and low blood pressure. A bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice sounds like a great idea for Jack. If his diarrhea continues or worsens, or if he becomes lethargic, vomits, refuses to eat or drink, or has any breathing changes, I recommend taking him to the vet for further evaluation. I hope he's feeling better soon!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. This could absolutely be due to anemia given her pale mucous membranes. I recommend that you have Snow evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Hi. I am very sorry about Holly being so sick. I am very concerned about her pale gum color. She could have a true emergency going on right now - and she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Pale gums are related to lack of perfusion or anemia (low red blood cell count). Any of the reasons that cause pale gums are a true emergency and she should be examined right away. Very best of luck to you and sweet Holly.

The white or pale gums are a sign of severe anemia. It could be due to a high worm burden or it may have another underlying cause. Vegeta should be seen by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. Given current circumstances, you may need to drop him off at the clinic then wait for your veterinarian to call you. Supportive care may be indicated until he is feeling better.

Just because you don't see worms doesn't mean they aren't there. In fact, hookworms are the worms that cause anemia (and subsequently white gums) and they are so tiny you cannot see them with the naked eye. There are other intestinal parasite, like coccidia, that are microscopic as well. I would recommend bringing a fecal sample to your vet to have it analyzed so you can make sure you are treating all the parasites the puppy may have. Also, keep in mind, most puppies need multiple dewormings to get all of the parasites. Giving her moist food is fine, it will also help hydrate her since she isn't drinking great. Good luck with the little guy.

Oh dear! Pale or white gums can be associated with severe anemia, shock, or heart failure - this is a very concerning sign that warrants immediate veterinary attention. A warm dry nose is a pretty non-specific sign that doesn't really mean anything in particular, and a pale or thinning haircoat can be associated with any kind of long-term illness. It sounds like Bae may be seriously ill, so I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic tonight to be seen. If this isn't possible, then I would take him to your regular veterinarian first thing in the morning. Your veterinarian can do blood work, x-rays, or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.

It sounds like Euro is really sick. I would put a little Karo syrup or honey on his gums to ensure his blood sugar isn't too low. With his gums being white and his stool looks black I would strongly encourage to take him to your vet or local emergency clinic ASAP. He could be suffering for a GI bleed, a large number of intestinal parasites, a fatal virus like parvo or much more. With him being so small, he is likely dehydrated and Anemic. I hope this helps and he starts to feel better soon.