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Why did my dog die suddenly with bloody diarrhea and vomiting?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 lbs

My dog passed away today . An she had her 10 in 1 shot already . First day was jus normal diarrhea. Well yesterday started with blood all over . An vomiting had quit . She got really weak this morning we was jus wondering what could it have been

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 28th, 2017

I am so sorry about Elsa. If Elsa was a puppy and just had on vaccine she was not fully protected. I would be concerned about Parvovirus at that point.

Other then that it could be hemorrhagic gastroenteritis or even a foreign boy obstruction. It could also had been a type of cancer. Without more information it is hard to say definitively what caused this without more information.

You can always ask for a necropsy and your veterinarian can send sample out to the lab to try to get an answer.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 25th, 2019
If he wasn't fully vaccinated, it could be parvo that killed him. He could also have had a foreign body or may have eaten something toxic. There's no way I can say for sure without seeing him in person. I'm sorry for your loss.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 2nd, 2019
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

The parvo-vaccine is very good at providing protection, however not 100%. Also, if they were puppies there is a period while they are little, even during their initial 3 vaccines, where they can be suseptible to getting the virus.
Parvovirus is very serious and could have been the cause.

If Buster was older and well vaccinated another possible cause could have been just a severe gastroenteritis that led to 'hemmorhagic gastro-enteritis' or HGE. This condition occurs when a bug of some sore irritates the GI tract, and the GI tract has an over-reaction and sloughs out the lining of the gut.

Without very quick and aggressive treatment, this condition can be fatal, and sometimes even with treatment can be fatal. This sounds like what happened with Buster, as it was very quick.

If this just happened you could see about doing a parvo-test on the feces (call your vet and ask), and I recommend trying this if you have other dogs at home. It will require a fecal sample.

I am so sorry about Buster!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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