If your dog is throwing up blood, it means they have hematemesis in dogs, which is a serious sign that needs immediate veterinary attention. Dog vomiting blood causes range from minor irritation to life-threatening internal problems, and quick action is crucial for your pet’s survival.
Immediate Steps When Your Dog Vomits Blood
Seeing bloody vomit in canines is scary. Do not wait to see if it gets better. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet for dog vomiting blood right away. They need to know what happened.
What to Tell the Vet
When you call, describe the blood clearly. This helps the vet know how urgent the situation is.
- Color and Appearance: Is the blood bright red, or does it look dark like coffee grounds?
- Amount: How much blood did your dog vomit?
- Frequency: Did it happen once, or is it happening many times?
- Other Symptoms: Is your dog also having dog bloody diarrhea and vomiting? Is your dog weak or acting strange?
Deciphering the Color of Vomited Blood
The color of the blood tells the vet where the bleeding is coming from in your dog’s body. This is a key factor in diagnosing dog vomiting blood causes.
Bright Red Blood (Fresh Blood)
When you see dog vomiting red blood, it usually means the bleeding is happening high up in the digestive tract. This includes the mouth, throat (esophagus), or the upper part of the stomach.
- Causes: The irritation might be new or severe. It could be from a scratch in the throat, eating something sharp, or a bad stomach ulcer that is actively bleeding.
Dark Red or Brown Blood (Digested Blood)
If the vomit looks dark red, brown, or like old coffee grounds, this is often called “coffee ground emesis.” This means the blood has been in the stomach long enough for stomach acid to start breaking it down.
- Causes: This often points to bleeding further down in the stomach or upper small intestine. Serious issues like severe ulcers or certain types of cancer can cause this look.
Common Reasons for Canine Vomiting Blood
There are many reasons why a dog might experience canine gastrointestinal bleeding. Some are minor scrapes, but many require intense medical care.
Foreign Body Ingestion
Dogs often eat things they shouldn’t. If they swallow something sharp, like a bone fragment, plastic piece, or part of a toy, it can scratch or puncture the lining of the esophagus or stomach. This causes immediate, sometimes severe, bleeding.
Severe Gastroenteritis (Stomach Inflammation)
Strong inflammation of the stomach or intestines can cause the lining to break down and bleed.
- Toxins: Eating certain toxic plants, human medications (especially NSAIDs like ibuprofen), or spoiled food can cause severe chemical burns leading to bleeding.
- Infections: Severe viral or bacterial infections can damage the gut lining.
Ulcers in the Stomach or Intestines
Stomach ulcers are sores in the lining of the digestive tract. These sores can bleed heavily, leading to hematemesis in dogs.
- Common Triggers: Long-term use of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a major cause. Stress and other underlying diseases can also cause ulcers to form.
Bleeding Disorders (Coagulopathies)
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the stomach itself, but the dog’s inability to stop bleeding. This is a critical reason to seek help, as it involves dog internal bleeding symptoms that might not be obvious yet.
- Rat Poison Ingestion: This is a common and deadly cause. Many rodenticides stop the blood from clotting properly. The dog might vomit blood because the clotting system is failing everywhere, not just in the stomach.
- Immune-Mediated Disease: Rare conditions where the immune system attacks the body’s own blood platelets can cause widespread bleeding.
Tumors and Cancer
Growths inside the stomach, esophagus, or intestines can erode and bleed. This is more common in older dogs. If the tumor is large, the bleeding can be significant.
Parasites
Severe infestations of certain intestinal parasites, like hookworms, can cause blood loss into the gut. While this often presents as dog bloody diarrhea and vomiting, massive worm loads can sometimes lead to vomiting blood as well.
Distinguishing Vomiting Blood from Coughing Blood
It is very important to know if the blood is coming from the throat/stomach (vomiting) or the lungs (coughing).
| Feature | Vomiting Blood (Hematemesis) | Coughing Blood (Hemoptysis) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Often mixed with food/bile; may be partially digested. | Usually frothy, bright red, and comes out with a forceful cough. |
| Preceded By | Nausea, retching, abdominal heaving. | Hacking, gagging sounds, difficulty breathing. |
| Source | Upper GI tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach). | Respiratory tract (lungs, trachea). |
If your dog is coughing up blood, this suggests lung or heart issues, which are also emergencies. In many cases, vets must investigate if the dog has dog hematochezia and hematemesis occurring at the same time, indicating bleeding in both the upper and lower GI tracts.
When to Worry About Dog Throwing Up Blood
You should always worry when you see blood. However, some signs mean you need to go to the emergency vet for dog vomiting blood immediately, even if it’s just a small amount.
Red Flags Requiring Immediate Care
These signs suggest severe, ongoing internal bleeding or shock:
- Large Volume of Blood: Any significant amount, especially if it’s bright red.
- Repeated Episodes: Vomiting blood several times in a short period.
- Pale Gums: Gums that look white, pale pink, or bluish instead of a healthy bubblegum pink. This is a major sign of blood loss and shock.
- Weakness or Collapse: If your dog seems very lethargic, weak on their legs, or collapses.
- Accompanying Diarrhea: If you notice dog bloody diarrhea and vomiting together, this confirms severe canine gastrointestinal bleeding affecting a large part of the tract.
- Known Toxin Exposure: If you suspect your dog ate rat poison or human medication.
Diagnostic Procedures at the Vet
Once you arrive at the clinic, the veterinary team will work quickly to find the source of the bleeding.
Initial Assessment and Stabilization
The first goal is to stop the patient from going into shock. This involves intravenous (IV) fluids to keep blood pressure up and potentially blood products if the loss is extreme.
Blood Tests
Bloodwork helps check for clotting ability, organ function, and signs of anemia (low red blood cell count due to blood loss).
Imaging Studies
- X-rays: These can help locate foreign objects or tumors in the chest or abdomen.
- Ultrasound: This detailed imaging technique allows the vet to look closely at the stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen to spot masses or signs of inflammation.
Endoscopy
If the bleeding source isn’t immediately obvious and the dog is stable enough, an endoscopy might be needed. A small, flexible tube with a camera is passed down the throat into the stomach and upper intestine. This lets the vet:
- See the exact source of the bleeding.
- Take small tissue samples (biopsies).
- Sometimes, stop the bleeding right then by using special tools through the scope (cauterizing or clipping the vessel).
Treatment Options Based on the Cause
Treatment hinges entirely on what is causing the hematemesis in dogs.
Treating Foreign Bodies
If a foreign object is found, it must be removed. If it is in the esophagus or stomach, it can often be pulled out using an endoscope. If the object has moved into the small intestine or caused a tear, surgery will be necessary.
Managing Ulcers and Inflammation
If ulcers or severe gastritis are the cause, treatment focuses on protecting the stomach lining and stopping acid production.
- Medications: Drugs like Omeprazole or Famotidine reduce stomach acid. Medications like Sucralfate coat the ulcers, allowing them to heal.
- Dietary Changes: A bland, easily digestible diet is usually required for a few weeks.
Addressing Bleeding Disorders
If the issue is a clotting problem (like rat poison ingestion), treatment is aggressive. Antidotes (like Vitamin K for certain poisons) must be given quickly. In severe cases, transfusions of fresh whole blood or plasma are needed to replace the missing clotting factors.
Cancer Treatment
If cancer is the source of the bleeding, treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, depending on the type and location of the tumor. For inoperable tumors causing bleeding, palliative care focusing on stopping the blood loss becomes the primary goal.
Long-Term Outlook and Recovery
The prognosis for dog vomiting blood causes varies widely.
- Good Prognosis: Dogs who ingest something that causes a minor, isolated scratch usually recover quickly once the object is removed and inflammation calms down.
- Guarded Prognosis: Dogs with severe systemic issues, like advanced kidney disease leading to bleeding, or those with large internal tumors, have a much tougher road ahead.
Recovery always involves careful monitoring at home. Your vet will likely prescribe medications and a very specific diet for several weeks. Avoid giving your dog any over-the-counter human pain relievers, as these are often the original cause of the bleeding in the first place.
Preventing Future Episodes
Prevention often focuses on minimizing risks associated with the common dog vomiting blood causes.
- Secure Environment: Keep trash cans covered. Do not leave small, chewable items where your dog can reach them. Be careful when giving bones—only provide appropriate, safe chews.
- Medication Safety: Never give your dog human pain relievers, aspirin, or cold medicines unless specifically directed by your veterinarian.
- Pest Control Awareness: If you use rodent poison in your home or yard, be extremely careful. Keep your dog away from areas where poisons are set. If poisoning is suspected, immediate action is required.
- Regular Check-ups: Routine veterinary exams can catch underlying diseases (like liver or kidney issues) early before they lead to severe internal bleeding complications.
If your dog has a history of stomach problems, discuss preventative medications with your vet to keep the GI tract healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Vomiting Blood
Q: Is it possible my dog is just coughing up blood instead of vomiting?
A: Yes, it is possible. If the blood is frothy and comes out after a hard hack or cough, it might be coming from the lungs (hemoptysis). If it comes after retching and seems mixed with stomach contents, it is vomiting (hematemesis). Both require an emergency visit.
Q: How long after eating something bad will my dog start throwing up blood?
A: This depends on the toxin or irritant. If it’s a physical scratch from a sharp bone, it can happen within minutes. If it’s a chemical irritant or poison that causes slow damage (like some clotting agents), it might take hours or even a day or two before the damage is severe enough to cause visible bloody vomit in canines.
Q: Can stress cause my dog to vomit blood?
A: While severe stress is a major contributor to stomach ulcers, it is rare for stress alone to cause profuse vomiting of bright red blood. Stress usually causes inflammation or chronic mild irritation. If stress triggers severe hematemesis in dogs, it usually means the underlying stress has led to a deep ulcer that is now bleeding heavily.
Q: What if my dog has both bloody vomit and bloody diarrhea?
A: If you observe dog bloody diarrhea and vomiting, this strongly suggests significant canine gastrointestinal bleeding involving both the upper (vomit) and lower (diarrhea) parts of the tract. This combination, sometimes involving both dog hematochezia and hematemesis, usually indicates a severe systemic problem, severe infection, or major toxicity, and requires immediate hospitalization.
Q: Can I give my dog Pepto-Bismol or an antacid if he throws up blood?
A: No. Never give your dog any human medication, including antacids, when they are actively vomiting blood without explicit instructions from your veterinarian. Some human drugs can worsen bleeding or interfere with the diagnostics the vet needs to perform. If your dog is throwing up blood, you must get professional help immediately.