Some disease conditions are inevitable even if you care for your pooch at best. However, we should carefully monitor our pets to identify and address these changes immediately.
Blood in stools with diarrhea can occur due to changes in diet, parvovirus, ulcers in the digestive tract, parasites, and ingested toxic food. You should not ignore the bloody diarrhea condition of your dog, as it can sometimes be fatal. Get aids from a vet as soon as possible.
Let’s find out what causes blood in stools and what you should do to save your pet.
Can changing your dog’s food cause blood in stools?
Unlike humans, dogs are used to the same food for a long time. Their digestive tract has been well adapted to particular food since they were pups. Therefore, changes in food can cause different types of gastrointestinal diseases.
Diarrhea, vomiting, blood in stools, and bloody diarrhea can be some symptoms following a change of diet in your pooch.
What causes blood in stools or bloody diarrhea after a change of diet?
The large intestines of dogs( and other animals) reside in many bacteria, which helps maintain a healthy gut. A sudden change in diet can cause changes in this normal microbial population.
This causes an imbalance in the digestive tract of your pet. Some microorganisms can overgrow, and some can die. Clostridium is one such bacteria that overgrows during a sudden diet change.
Clostridium produces toxins that cause bleeding of the lining of large intestines.
Therefore, if you decide to change your pet’s diet, especially from puppy food to adult food, you should consult your vet and keep a close eye on your pet following the diet change.
Another reason for blood in stools after a diet change is that your dog might be allergic to some food items. You might have not known this before because you have not given him that previously.
Some food items like bones can also prick the inner lining of the digestive tract and cause bleeding. If you give your pooch bones, it doesn’t have sharp bony parts.
Suggested Reading: Why do some dogs lay in their own poop?
Should you worry if your puppy has bloody stools after a diet change?
Blood in stools should never be considered a mild issue. It can be something simple and might pass without any medical intervention.
Still, it can also be an indicator of something really serious. Pet owners should always consult a vet if they find blood in their pet’s stools.
If you recently changed your pet’s diet and you observe blood in the stools, inform your vet, and you can observe the stools for several days to check whether the bleeding has stopped. If it continues, you must take your pooch to the vet.
What should you do if your puppy has bloody stools after changing food?
Always consider bloody stools or bloody diarrhea as an important medical condition. Here are 3 things you must do when you find stools with blood.
1. Contact your vet.
This is your first action. When you notice blood in your pet’s stools, contact your vet. Explain the color and consistency of stools, how regularly stools with blood passed, and the diet given to your pooch.
Mention other physical changes you observed in your pet. If the veterinarian wants you to bring the dog to him, make an appointment and do it soon.
Your vet would suggest the best thing for your pooch after examining him.
2. Never go for home remedies.
This is very important. You can be a very experienced pet owner. However, blood in stools can mean many things. It can be simple, or it can be fatal.
Maybe your pet looks physically okay, but the condition can worsen with time. Therefore, do not try to give any medicine or food without consultation with your vet.
3. Closely observe your pet.
After you notice your pet passed stools with blood, observe him closely. This information is important for the vet for diagnosis as well.
The amount of blood, the color of blood(whether fresh blood or old blood), consistency of feces( is it diarrhea), and physical changes( fever, lethargy) are a few important things your should note.
What are the other causes of bloody stools in puppies?
The blood in stools can be originated from any part of the digestive tract. According to the origin and color, two blood types are present in stools.
- Hematochezia- bright red blood in stools can originate from the digestive tract’s lower parts (large intestines).
- Melena- black tarry stools originating from the upper parts of the digestive tract(esophagus, stomach, small intestines). Melena can occur several days after bleeding has stopped as well.
Blood in stools can be visible to the naked eye, known as overt. Or the amount of blood that is not visible to the naked eye can be very little, known as occult.
- Parvovirus: This viral disease mainly affects the digestive tract of dogs. Significant symptoms are vomiting, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and fever. Parvo can be fatal and needs immediate veterinary care.
- Parasites- Roundworms and hookworms.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Viral and bacterial infection.
- Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE): The ingestion of toxic food causes this. HGE is characterized by bloody diarrhea and bloody vomiting.
- Ingestion of foreign bodies: Ingestion of sharp objects, toys, rocks, and clothes can damage the digestive tract and cause bleeding.
Things to be aware of.
How to be safe from gastrointestinal parasites?
Deworming is a mandatory requirement if you are raising a puppy. Puppies should be dewormed starting at the age of 4 weeks. When you first adopt a puppy, contact your veterinarian and get the deworming schedule and follow that.
What to do if you suspect parvo?
Suppose your pet is not vaccinated against parvo, and you suspect that bloody diarrhea is related to parvo. In that case, you must first contact your veterinarian.
However, informing the hospital that your pet is not vaccinated and shows signs of parvo is very important.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease. You will help prevent the virus’s spread by informing the hospital’s medical staff.
Conclusion.
The article gives you an insight into the blood in your pup’s stools and what you should do at such times.
