There are several causes of blood in a puppy's stool. Blood in the stool may be indicated by an obvious bright red color. Tarry-black soft droppings also indicate the presence of blood in the stool.
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Types
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Bright red blood in a puppy's stool is called hematochezia. The tar-like stools, melena, are black because the blood was partially digested by the puppy.
Common Causes
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According to veterinarian Dr. Bari Spielman, the most common causes of blood in a puppy's stool are parasites, such as whipworms, hookworms and roundworms. Bright red blood may also come from constipation if the puppy has been straining to produce hard stool.
Illnesses
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Illnesses or infections that can cause bloody stool in puppies include salmonella, parvovirus, colitis or Guardia.
Considerations
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Another serious cause of blood in a puppy's stool is by swallowing a foreign object or human medication. The object or drug can damage the puppy's internal organs.
Warning
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"The Veterinarian's Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms" (Michael S. Garvey, DVM, et al.; 1999) warns that any puppy or dog that passes only bright red blood and nothing else may have hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, a potentially lethal condition. The puppy needs to see a vet immediately.
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