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My new puppy is weak, pale, and has tarry stool. Is she dying?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 4 days old

We had 3 puppies at home and all of them died. The last one we had showed the following symptoms: Weakness Lack of apetite Pale coat Rare pooping (difficulty took 3 days and up to poop stone like black stool) Labored breathing Mood changes Frequent scratching of ear (seems lime there's somthing inside iritating him) Now I have another puppy and she seems to show the same symptom. The difference is the stool which is tarry and loose. I am afraid she might die too.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on March 20th, 2020

I would recommend taking Larbie to the vet ASAP. These symptoms don't fit with one disease process. I would be concerned about dehydration and inappropriate nutrition in a puppy showing signs of constipation. Tarry stools indicate blood in the GI tract, which could be a sign of Parvo viral infection or intestinal parasites. Weakness and paleness could be related to anemia, external parasites, internal parasites, infection, etc.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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