It’s pretty common for dogs to bleed from their anus and it’s not always a sign of worry. However, blood in dog stools is a symptom of some serious medical conditions and you must take your pooch to the vet for an examination. He/she will rule out the major problems and may prescribe some methods to stop the bleeding at home. Keep reading to know about the most common causes and effective home remedies for your dog’s bleeding anus.
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What Could Cause a Dog to Bleed from the Anus?
The bleeding from a dog’s anus will fall into one of the two categories, Hematochezia and Melena. The blood discharged due to Hematochezia is red in color while the blood due to Melena is black. The causes for each of these conditions are different because they affect different parts of the digestive system.
Causes of Dog’s Bleeding Anus
Hematochezia means that the blood is discharged from the lower intestines. On the other hand, Melena indicates that the blood came from the stomach or upper small intestine. Read on to learn about the causes that could be responsible for your dog’s bleeding anus.
Injury/Trauma to the Anus – Any trauma to the anal region of your dog can make him/her bleed from the anus. For example, a ruptured anal sac abscess and an injury during a fight will cause bleeding.
Intestinal Parasites – Worms and other parasites are among the most common causes of anal bleeding in dogs. Although a test of the fecal sample is needed to confirm the diagnosis, certain symptoms (like diarrhea and abdominal pain) can indicate the presence of intestinal parasites.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) – It is characterized by the sudden onset of diarrhea with blood in the stool. The exact cause of this condition is still unknown but symptoms like restlessness and lack of appetite can help in diagnosis.
Parvovirus – This deadly virus affects puppies and will cause rapid dehydration. You must contact your vet immediately to ensure the best possible treatment.
Ulcers – Stomach ulcers cause bleeding in the stomach and the blood travels down the digestive tract to the anus.
Cancer – Tumors and cancers in the digestive tract (and other body parts) can result in bloody stools.
Metabolic Diseases – Certain conditions, like pancreatitis and Addison’s disease, can cause black stools.
Post-Surgery Blood – Some dogs can show signs of blood in their stools after surgery. It is an extremely dangerous situation and will require immediate veterinary help.
What to Do If Dog is Bleeding from Anus?
You should always contact your vet in case of a dog’s bleeding anus, even if your pup doesn’t require veterinary help. The vet will analyze the condition of your canine friend and recommend the most suitable plan of action. In most cases, you will be advised to try certain home remedies to solve the problem. However, you must take your dog immediately to the vet if he/she shows the following signs (alongside anal bleeding).
- Pale gums
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Lethargy
Home Remedies for a Dog’s Bleeding Anus
Although home remedies can’t cure underlying health issues, they can certainly ease the symptoms. Some of the techniques that can prove beneficial to control your dog’s bleeding anus are discussed below.
Make Your Dog Fast for 1-2 Days
It is an extremely effective way to control diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems in dogs. This is because fasting puts the digestive system on rest and allows the body to focus on the disease/problem. Similarly, your dog won’t eat anything that might make things even worse for him/her.
Although fasting is generally beneficial, it’s not a recommended strategy for puppies and diabetic dogs. These canines require a continuous supply of food to stay healthy and fasting will create more problems.
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Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Dehydration is bad in any scenario, but it could be devastating for an already-suffering dog. Therefore, it’s imperative to ensure that your pooch is drinking plenty of water when he is ill. Dogs are keen to drink water but can show a lack of interest when they are not feeling well.
Chicken broth can prove quite handy in this situation because it will entice your pooch to stay hydrated. Make sure that you feed only the liquid part of the broth to a dog that is bleeding from the anus. This is because meat and bones can further irritate the already disturbed digestive system (and anus).
Feed Your Dog a Bland Diet
Once your dog’s condition has improved a little after fasting, you should feed him/her an easily-digestible diet. For example, rice and chicken can be ideal meals for such a canine. Likewise, you can mix ground turkey with plain pumpkin (in equal proportions) and feed this mixture to your dog. It’s highly recommended to stay in close touch with your veterinarian during this process.
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Use Probiotics and Supplements
Probiotics and digestive enzymes can be of great help if your dog is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. These chemicals will help in resolving the digestive issues that could well be causing the bleeding. Similarly, you can use some supplements, like Kaolin, to deal with diarrhea.
Even if the bleeding is not caused by intestinal issues (parasites or irregular bowel movements), controlling diarrhea will give your dog some sort of reprieve.
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