My Is Dog Bleeding From Their Anus

There are different reasons why a dog may be bleeding from the rectum, each related to different a source within the dog's body. We are going to discuss the most common causes for anal bleeding in dogs, which are:

1. Hemorrhage in the digestive system
2. Constipation
3. Infection of the anal glands
4. Other causes (rectal bleeding along with vomiting)

The digestive system of a dog starts at its mouth, continues down the esophagus to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and ends at the anus. If there is a hemorrhage in any part of this system, including the nasal cavity or lungs, the blood will be expelled through the dog’s anus.

The cause of bleeding in a dog's butt can originate from several different areas within their body. This is why a diagnosis is so incredibly important. In order to proceed with a diagnosis, it is important to check the texture and presentation of the stool itself. Blood in a dog’s feces is medically classified into two types: hematochezia or melena.

• Hematochezia: causes the expulsion of fresh, red and bright blood that can appear in normal stools or as bloody diarrhea. This blood in the dog's stool usually comes from the colon, rectum or anus.
• Melena: causes a dog’s feces to appear black or tarry. This color suggests that the blood is coming from the upper intestinal tract.

In order to diagnose dog rectal bleeding effectively, we also need to notice whether the blood is mixed with the feces or is on the outside of the feces. This is in addition to the color and texture of the blood. These factors function as signifiers which can help you work out the cause of your dog bleeding from its anus.

Possible causes of internal hemorrhaging in the dog's gastrointestinal system can be caused by the following:

• Ulcers: ulceration of any of the tissues can rupture and result in bleeding. If the bleeding originates in the stomach, it will be darker in color when expelled than ulcers around the rectal area.
• Trauma: if a dog has been in an accident, fight or has received trauma to any part of their digestive system, it can result in anal bleeding. This will not cause blood dripping from the dog's anus, but we might see abdominal swelling if the bleeding is profuse. The dog will soon go into shock if this is the case.
• Tumors: if a dog develops a tumor, whether or not it is part of the digestive tissues, it is possible the dog will expel blood. Bleeding can occur whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): there are various causes of IBD in dogs such as immune system disease, bacterial infection, allergies and others. The result is the inflammation of the bowel which can result in anal bleeding.
• Intoxication: if the dog has ingested something toxic, it can result in the dog's organism failing. This will cause various symptoms, with blood from the anus being only one.
• Parasites: there are various internal parasites in dogs which proliferate in the dog's gastrointestinal system. They can destroy tissue which causes bleeding directly, but they can also cause indirect bleeding such as creating a blockage in their digestive tract. Treatment needs to be carried out by a veterinarian to establish the correct deworming or antiparasitic agent for the parasite affecting your dog.

See an obvious sign of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs with our article on why my dog's poop has white worms.

If your dog is bleeding from the anus itself, constipation may be one of the main causes. You can tell whether your dog is constipated by noticing that the dog does not defecate at all or does so in a small amounts. They will show obvious difficulty when attempting to defecate. The effort it takes the dog to defecate can often cause bleeding from its rectum.

Constipation in dogs has many different causes and influences, with one major contributor being dehydration. Dehydration in dogs can can cause a dog’s stool to dry up, which will naturally make it difficult to expel. This can cause slight rectal bleeding. For more, take a look at our article on signs my dog is dehydrated.

If a dog swallows bones, tissues and other substances which are difficult or impossible to digest, this can cause bleeding in the dog’s anus. Some medications can also result in constipation as a side effect. In addition, there many diseases which can cause constipation. These include diseases such as hypothyroidism in the dog and specific digestive diseases.

If you observe rectal bleeding in dogs, pain when defecating and/or painful efforts to defecate, we suggest visiting your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog is in fact suffering from constipation, a doctor will be able to treat this effectively. You can also prevent constipation in your dog by following these tips:

• Provide correct diet and hydration that facilitates the intestinal transit.
• Avoid feeding them bones.
• Schedule regular veterinary reviews that can detect diseases in time.
• Maintain a safe environment to prevent the ingestion of foreign bodies.
• Never medicate a dog without veterinary supervision.
• Give your dog sufficient opportunity to defecate and exercise.

A dog has two two glands or sacs located on both sides of the anus. When feces is expelled, it can exert pressure on these glands. The glands then secrete a liquid to aid with lubrication. Sometimes the anal glands can become infected, which may explain why a dog starts bleeding from the rectum. This is usually stemming from impaction because the glands are blocked by dirt.

In cases of anal gland impaction and infection, the dog will feel pain and a yellow or bloody discharge will be released. A dog suffering from this problem will also most likely rub or drag their butt on the ground or lick the infected area. A veterinarian will be able to drain the glands and administer appropriate antibiotics to cure any infection^[1].

If the inflammation targets only one gland, it often means the dog is suffering from an abscess. This abscess can break the skin, producing a perianal fistula from which a foul-smelling liquid will emerge. If this is the case, it is very important to go to the veterinarian as soon as possible, as in severe cases an abscess may require surgery. Disinfection and the administration of antibiotics will also be necessary to treat abscesses^[2].

If you notice your dog bleeding from its rectum and vomiting, then it is critical to take them to veterinarian as soon as possible. Rectal bleeding in dogs partnered with vomiting can be a sign of various conditions or diseases, such as:

• Ulcers in dogs: these are lesions in the mucous membrane of the digestive system, often caused by the use of medications such as corticosteroids, but also by diseases such as kidney or liver failure in the dog. They can cause vomiting, anemia, thinning as well as anal bleeding.

• Canine parvovirus: this condition mainly affects puppies and is characterized by the presence of vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is a very serious and contagious, and establishing a vaccination schedule is essential to prevent it.

• Dog poisoning: the ingestion of some toxins can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding in dogs and/or vomiting blood. Immediate veterinary assistance is required as dog poisoning can be fatal.

• Heat stroke in dogs: an excessive rise in the body temperature of a dog produces, among other symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea with blood in the stool. This can happen when, for example, a dog is left inside a closed car during the hottest hours of the day. Heat stroke should be treated immediately as it can result in death.

• Renal insufficiency in dogs: Kidney failure in dogs can also cause vomiting and the presence of blood in feces, due to causes such as gastrointestinal hemorrhages. These hemorrhages need to be stabilized by appropriate veterinarian treatment. For more, take a look at renal failure in dogs.

The best treatment for a dog bleeding from their anus is prevention. As you can see, many of the problems which lead to this symptom are gastrointestinal in nature, although not exclusively. Prevention of these problems often means best ensuring our dog has a healthy digestive system. With this in mind, we can look at the following preventive treatments for a dog bleeding from the anus:

• Diet: a dog's diet needs to be catered to their specific needs. Factors which determine these needs include size, weight, age, health status and even breed. If constipation or other causes of a bleeding anus are common, we should take the animal to a veterinarian to assess their needs.
• Exercise: even if a dog eats appropriately, lacking exercise can seriously affect their digestive health. Dogs need regular walks to both exercise and meet their socialization needs. Some dogs will need more exercise than others and may even need to be involved in canine sports.
• Hygiene: ensure your dog lives somewhere clean and they are protected from various dirty environments when out walking. If we ignore our dog's hygiene, it can result in the proliferation of bacteria and parasites which cause anal bleeding in dogs.
• Anal gland checks: ensure your check your dog's anal glands regularly for signs of impaction or infection. You may need to express the glands regularly if the dog has problems secreting the liquid.
• Deworming: establish and strictly follow a deworming schedule appropriate for your dogs needs. This will protect against possible parasites.
• Vaccination: similar to deworming, establishing a suitable vaccination schedule is also important in preventing diseases which can cause bleeding from their anus.
• Regular veterinary checkups: these will help to spot potential causes early and provide prompt intervention. This can be the difference between a positive or a negative prognosis.

Learn about other symptoms which can affect our dog's rectal health by reading our article on why my dog's anus smells fishy.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Is Dog Bleeding From Their Anus, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.