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Why is my senior dog bleeding from mouth and passing black stool?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | unneutered | 10 years and 7 months old

Just yesterday I notice alil but of blood on my pups blanket he is 10 yrs old ! He is a shih tzu AN today he is still bleeding out his mouth ... not a lot but enough to make me worry! His stool has been black as well. He is eating good AN drinking good AN is still active !

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 3rd, 2016

Chunk may have a bleeding ulcer in his mouth or throat, or a severe tooth infection. He is obviously swallowing blood which then gets digested and shows up in the feces (tarry black). You will need to take Chunk to your vet for an exam of the mouth and throat. Once the cause of the bleed is found it needs to be stopped, which could mean a dental cleaning with extractions of an abscessed tooth or other measures depending on where he is bleeding from. Please take Chunk to your vet ASAP.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
If Chunk is bleeding out of his mouth, then it is likely related to a dental issue, such as a tooth root abscess or a broken or loose tooth. He could also have a oral tumor that is bleeding. His feces would be black due to digested blood, which suggests he is swallowing blood. I would take him into the vet today for an oral exam. The cause of the bleeding needs to be diagnosed so that he can be treated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 24th, 2016
Chemical smelling breath, black poo all point to a bleed somewhere in the upper gastro-intestinal tract or respiratory tract and your dog is swallowing blood. Since only a hands-on exam can reveal the cause, I suggest you take her to a veterinarian for an exam. It appears that for now the bleeding has stopped as she has gone back to normal and therefore it is not an emergency, but she should be examined soon. Should this happen again, you will need to take her in to a petER or a vet right away.
such bleeds can be caused by stomach or intestinal ulcers, tumors, severe inflammation in the respiratory tract, and many more.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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