Blood in Stool

This forum is for those seeking medical advice or general beagle health information. Everyone is welcome to respond, but if you are a licensed veterinarian or other animal health professional, feel free to share your credentials!

Moderators: Pike Ridge Beagles, Aaron Bartlett

Post Reply
Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Blood in Stool

Post by Jane »

First I changed food from O'Roy Max to Proplan senstive stuff, thinking it maybe the food, then I wormed him with Mulitgard (which handles tape, it's a heartworm med and flea combination 2 weeks ago) I gave him a dose of strongid (that's for round & hook worm) and gave it the 2 wks apart.... any suggestions ? nothing covered whips, do think it would be that? Should I give him antiboitics?
He's full of energy, and his regular weight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

B.Trull
Posts: 366
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:32 pm
Location: Clay County , Indiana
Contact:

blood in stool

Post by B.Trull »

Does he have fever ??? rigid abdomen ???? Not taking water ??? Could be ischemic colitsis, diverticulitsis ???? Brown blood ( upper gi) bright red blood ( lower gi ) ???

Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Post by Jane »

Doesn't seem to have any fever. What is the sign of rigid abdomen? He does not drink much water. Some times I'll wet his food just to ensure he's getting some, that has concerned me. He's 12 months old. Red blood at the very end of his stool. It went away once I changed the food, that only lasted for about 2 weeks or so. I just noticed that it started again yesterday, so I am concerned. He never seems to be discomforted in any way at anytime.
Sounds like the lower from what I read up on but it's human definitions, I could start antibiotics or should make a vet call?

B.Trull
Posts: 366
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:32 pm
Location: Clay County , Indiana
Contact:

vet

Post by B.Trull »

Only occasionally have I ever seen any blood in the stool from a food change, like mabye 3x, in a lifetime of owning dogs. I would save a stool sample and call your vet, but my vet is a good ole boy who charges reasonable fees and isnt in it for the cash. Yes, dogs and humans share many commonalitys in health practices.

Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Post by Jane »

When I read the symptoms, etc on the human definitions it was calling for antibiotics to cure any infection. My vet is a friend of 32 years as well, I'm only 40, LOL! Used to tag along on calls as a kid. So I hear what you say about not in it for the $$. I'll give him a shout.
My other 2 never had any problem with feed.

B.Trull
Posts: 366
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:32 pm
Location: Clay County , Indiana
Contact:

Dogs

Post by B.Trull »

Antibiotics are for bacterial infections, and depending on the infecting organism type different ones are used. Viruses are intracellular. I would still get a stool sample and take it to your vet. Good luck. Your lucky to have a pup out of baba cowboy.

Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Post by Jane »

I will take your advice and book him in, and yes this happens to be the Branko male. He's a great all around hound, I'd keep him even if he never ran a rabbit, LOL! He's everyones favorite as he's got a funny personality. You know he goes pretty good for his age, he gets alot of running, but I believe he likes to be gunned over best.

Dennis Cooke
Posts: 123
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2003 4:19 pm
Location: Nova Scotis Can.
Contact:

Post by Dennis Cooke »

Jane I have seen blood in stool if you have been running him hard. I don`t know how much you are running, but I have seen it in a few of my hounds over the years. You will see a little on his butt and some in the stool.

Thunder :whip:

Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Post by Jane »

Hi Dennis, they have been out 2-3 days a week and the longest run is 5 hours. I am running them in Clair's pen. I find they run harder while out on a hunt than in the pen.
I don't know what to make of it. I took water and a dish out to the pen so they'd drink after running rather than waiting till we got home. This hound is the only one I never see drink water maybe I just don't see him doing it ? He did today, but he's not dehydrated. Like I said, he eats well, they get beef once a week and good size bones to chew, I put him on better food. There wasn't quite as much of it today, but it's still a concern.
I did read that whip worms will do that, and that is the only one I missed with the wormer but I'll call the vet tomorrow and see if he wants a stool sample. But it really bothers me. So if you hear anything further on it, do send me an e-mail will you?

Pine MT Beagle Runner
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:33 pm
Location: Manchester, KY (Clay County)

Post by Pine MT Beagle Runner »

Jane,

How is your dog. Personally have never seen this just from switching foods. Is it formed stool or loose?

Could be hemorrhoids. or intussuseption. I would be more inclined to believe intussuseption if he is not drinking water. He could be having to strain really hard to push his stool out that the bowel is folding back on itself. This can cause bleeding. And I would think there would be more blood than you described. But you said that he wasn't dehydrated. Who knows? Taking the dog and a stool sample to the vet is a wise thing to do.


Keep us all posted
Chris Chandler

Jane
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:45 pm
Location: Maritimes, Canada

Post by Jane »

Hi Chris, thanks for your input and it sounds like you could be right. It could very well have been straining as it wasn't in all his poop in the kennel only one of the poop of the 2 or 3, sounds awful now doesn't it, talking about dog s%@t ??
His stool has firmed up with the better feed, some of it was runny at the end on the old feed. No blood as of late.
He's the same hound he's always been... so I don't know what was up? He's running great and feeling fine. No more blood except for a beat up bloody tail today !
I am also surmizing that for the winter they have wood shavings and straw in their boxes. They are not used to that, they are used to clean and comfy blankets, he may be just reacting to that.

Windkist
Posts: 1362
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:45 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

Post by Windkist »

The first thing that comes to mind is coccidia. If there is some bloody and mucus in the stool then this could easily be the culprit. If you have a good relationship with your vet then just collect a sample and take it in for a fecal exam. Normally changing food will not cause any problems in our beagles. It could also be worms which again.. you can find out about with a fecal exam.

Leah
Life's a trip
but it doesn't come with a map

Bunny Runner
Posts: 479
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:14 pm
Location: NC

Post by Bunny Runner »

I may be a little late in posting in this thread and hope that you have gotten an answer to your problem, but I would like to add that a food change to a better food can firm up the stool and cause some streaking of bright red blood in the stool if the dog has had to strain harder to do his "business".

Unless the stool seemed loose or contained mucous, I wouldn't be too concerned about parasites. Also if he is acting normal, with good coat and energy, and maintaining weight I wouldn't think parasites or other "infections" could be the cause.

Better foods usually contain less fiber, which helps to regulate the stool. To much or too little fiber can cause constipation or diarrhea, so if you switched to a lower fiber food, it could be causing the stool to be too firm. You can always try adding some canned (un-spiced) pumkin or cooked sweet potatoes to his food. A tablespoon or two should do the trick and is VERY healthy for your dog.

I hope that this helps :)
Education, Preservation, and Conservation ensures a "WILD" future for our children!

Post Reply