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My puppy has diarrhea with blood. What's wrong and what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 4 months and 11 days old | 11 lbs

My puppy is 17 weeks old and has been having diarrhea since yesterday morning. He is drinking normally and has a close to normal energy level (just a little more tired than usual). We have noticed a small Amount of bright red blood in his stool for the past 3 poops. He had a semi formed stool this morning but mostly it has been very runny with some mucus and very yellow. I'm worried about a partial intestinal obstruction. What do you think could be happening and what should we do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 23rd, 2017

A partial intestinal obstruction would typically also cause vomiting or a decrease in appetite. Intestinal parasites, colitis or a food sensitivity would be more common. I would recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian to have Gulliver examined. They might recommend checking a fecal analysis to start.

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 20th, 2017

    Poor Molly! If she isn't fully vaccinated, the vomiting and bloody diarrhea can be signs of parvovirus. This is a life threatening infection that has no cure and can only be treated symptomatically. Other causes include hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, a foreign body, intestinal parasites, or severe GI infection. Given that I don't know Molly's vaccination status and the fact that blood in the feces has quite serious causes, my recommendation is to take her into a vet immediately. The vet can diagnose what is causing her symptoms and can treat her for it.

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    Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 6th, 2018

    Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Koda needs to see a veterinarian ASAP. I recommend an emergency veterinarian tonight. Vomiting with bloody stool can be signs of parvovirus, toxin ingestion, severe parasites, foreign body or pancreatitis. Since Koda is still a pup, parvo is a concern. The vet may recommend a parasite test and parvo test. She may need fluid therapy and hospitalization if she is dehydrated. If she cannot keep water down and has bloody watery stool she can become critically dehydrated very quickly. I hope Koda recovers quickly.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 5th, 2018

    .What a cute little guy! It sounds like you are describing that he was trying to pass stool but was unable to for about an hour, and when he finally did, it was bloody. If he is having diarrhea that is continuing to be bloody, or if the diarrhea is watery, you should take him to the vet, as this could lead to dehydration and he may need fluids or other treatments. If there has NOT continued to be blood, and the stools are not watery, and as long as he is still active, responsive to you, and wants to eat, it is reasonable to offer him a bland diet such as white rice and plain, unseasoned cooked chicken and see how he does for the next 12-24 hours. If he doesn't seem to like water, try ice cubes. Please DO NOT continue to give him milk, as this may further upset his tummy. If he is continuing to have blood in his stool, if there is a lot of diarrhea, if he is vomiting, or if he is becoming dumpy and lethargic, please have him seen by a veterinarian. Though he has had a vaccine, Parvo is still possible. Gastroenteritis is also possible, maybe from eating something abnormal in the trash or in the yard (what we call dietary indiscretion). If he is vomiting as well or is painful, he may have a blockage in his intestine. Regardless, if his symptoms are not improving with a bland diet alone, please take him to a vet. Again, if he IS vomiting, if the diarrhea is watery and or bloody, or if he is dumpy and lethargic, please take him to a vet today.

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