Dog Community

Blood in stool

Posted : 7/20/2009 2:03:25 PM

My older dog (9 1/2 years) had blood in his stool this am. It was a little loose though not runny. We were just on a trip to BC, Canada and came home (15 hour car ride) two nights ago. He was very thirsty when we got home. His temp is normal. 38.3 C. The blood wasn't an alarming amount, but it did have some drops trailing away from the pile.

He is on a high ish dose of pred as his allergies are really irritated and the antihist was not enough. He is on orijen dog food. Looks healthy other than the blood.

Where we were, the deer population was dying from heartworm... He is on heart worm meds, but could this be a cause? Should I be worried and running to a vet?

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/20/2009 2:34:32 PM

Red blood in stool is always something I'd go to a vet over -- it's not heartworm (too fast for that) but it could be another parasite or an irritant, but it could be something serious too, and it's better to head it off at the pass to be honest.

erica1989

Posted : 7/20/2009 2:53:55 PM

honestly - I would say it's stress related. 15 hour car ride is LONG, and stressful. no matter how much the dog enjoys riding around.

I would monitor over night - see how it looks tomorrow. Blood is concerning, yes, but that small an amount after a stressful journey doesn't concern me as much.

See how it looks tomorrow, and call your vet if need be. If he's been hanging around other animals - wildlife, etc, on your trip he could have picked something up.

Foxysox

Posted : 7/21/2009 7:46:52 PM

I had talked to my vet in LA as I am in SF and don't have a reg vet here anymore, and he thought stress as well. I monitored him and hovered over ever poop. No more blood (thank God). Dr White thought stress as well.

The old man has been a tremendous co pilot for his entire life, and sometimes I forget that he is getting older and might not handle everything the same as he did in his younger years. I do tend to press the driving pretty hard from point A to point B as he won't eat and drinks little while travelling. It has always just been easier to drive thru like a maniac. I might have to change our ways.

Thank you both!!