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My puppy has bloody diarrhea, but is acting normal. Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

Bloody diarrhea randomly showed up today, pitt bull puppy 16 weeks and 12 year old Chihuahua neither acting different

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 11th, 2018

I worry about bloody diarrhea in puppies, because Parvo infections can start this way and quickly become life-threatening. It's good that she's acting normal at this time, but best to have her seen by a vet in the next 24 hours. They can help determine the severity of this and give the appropriate treatment.

I hope that helps and Daisy gets better soon.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By David Darvishian
Veterinarian
Published on November 28th, 2017
Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bella. I would advise getting her re-evaluated or going to a different vet if you want a second opinion. This looks very serious and needs immediate treatment.

Vomiting and diarrhea have many causes including intestinal worms, inflammation, infection, dietary problems (including dietary indiscretion or eating things pets are not supposed to eat, food sensitivities/allergies), ingestion of foreign bodies or exposure to toxins (rat poison), bacterial overgrowth in the gut, problems in the stomach, intestines, or even problems outside of the intestinal tract/stomach including pancreatitis, kidney/liver problems, metabolic disease (diabetes,etc), endocrine diseases (thyroid or other hormone problems), etc. A thorough history and physical exam with resultant diagnostics such as fecal tests, blood tests, imaging studies such as x-rays/ultrasound can be done to try to determine what is going on.

Good luck with Bella.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on November 5th, 2017
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Osa!

Since Osa is only 8 weeks old and is vomiting and having bloody diarrhea she needs to go to an Emergency hospital today. Puppies that young and only weighing 3 pounds are at an increased risk of dehydration and low blood sugar.

Causes of bloody diarrhea and vomiting are: intestinal parasites, viral infections (including Parvo virus), bacterial infections, diet changes, food allergies/intolerance.

I hope this helps and I wish Osa a speedy recover!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 20th, 2018
Oh no, poor Cloudy sounds very ill! Thank you for letting me know she is vaccinated, it helps with my answer. She could be suffering from hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, may have a foreign body, could have have eaten something rotten or toxic, or could have a severe GI illness causing her symptoms. It's very concerning when a dog is having bloody feces while also vomiting, and in those cases, an immediate vet visit is always recommend. I advise to take her into a vet now to diagnose the cause of her symptoms so she can be treated. I hope this helps, and she feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Unvaccinated puppy has bloody diarrhea. Is it parvo? What should I do?

It very well could be parvo. I suggest you get her to your vet ASAP for an exam and testing. You really need to know if it is parvo or not. Either way, your vet will help you determine the cause of the bloody diarrhea and give you treatment options. Then, once this diarrhea is cleared up you can get her started on her vaccines. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy has bloody diarrhea but isn't lethargic. What's wrong?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Colby. This falls into one of these categories since you say that he isn't acting sick- Any clinical sign (diarrhea) that persists, worsens, or other signs develop (nausea, vomiting, lethargy, etc) this indicates that Colby should be seen by your veterinarian to assess what is going on. So I would just monitor his stools over the next 6-12 hours and watch for other signs. If things worsen, signs persist, or new signs develop, take him in immediately and let your vet take a detailed history and do a physical exam. They may advise some tests which could include fecal/blood tests, x-rays, etc to determine if a problem is present. A treatment plan can be made once a cause is determined or suspected. Bloody diarrhea can be caused by many things including intestinal worms, dietary problems, dietary indiscretion (eating things a dog should not eat), exposure to a toxin by ingestion, infection, etc. Good luck with Colby.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog had bloody diarrhea with watery spots once. Should I worry?

Poor Bitsy! It certainly isn't normal to have bloody diarrhea, and it can have serious causes such as GI tumors, infected anal sacs, intestinal worms, dietary intolerance, trauma to the GI tract, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and a foreign body among other causes. If Bitsy is acting normally, eating and drinking normally, and doesn't have any more episodes of it, it could be a one off occurrence from something she ate, and it likely doesn't require a vet visit. Should it happen again, and/or she develops other signs such as vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy, then I would have her seen by a vet right away.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why does my puppy have bloody diarrhea after eating a bacon treat?

Poor Bella! It could be the bacon treat has caused the GI upset, but that did happen quite quickly so it could also be caused by a GI illness or intestinal parasites. Given that she is eating and acting normally, I would keep an eye on her for now. Should this bloody diarrhea continue, she stop eating, she starts vomiting, or she becomes very lethargic, take her into a vet immediately.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What to do if my puppy has bloody diarrhea and seems bothered?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Waffle and for providing a picture, it's very helpful. This blood in his diarrhea could be due to intestinal worms, eating something rotten, a foreign body, parvo if he isn't vaccinated, or a severe stomach illness. He should definitely see a vet for this. As long as he is otherwise ok, it can wait until the morning. If he starts vomiting, has more bloody diarrhea, is very lethargic, stops drinking water, or is vomiting water, take him into an ER vet immediately. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and can't eat. What to do?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my puppy's poop bloody but he's acting totally normal?

I'm sorry to hear Frank is having an issue! If he is otherwise acting normally you can try to offer him a bland diet of boiled chicken and sweet potato or rice to see if this helps. If the diarrhea persists, he starts vomiting , stops eating or becomes lethargic he will need to be examined by a veterinarian right away. Puppies can easily get intestinal parasites so it would be a good idea to have your veterinarian check a stool sample on Frank. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Frank is on the mend soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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