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Why is my 3-month-old puppy having bloody diarrhea and sleeping a lot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Vizsla | Female | spayed | 3 months and 2 days old | 10 lbs

Hi,I just brought my 3 month old rescue pup home from the SPCA two days ago. She's a vizsla mix, so she is calm and gentle, with random spurts of energy. We forgot to ask which food she was fed, so we couldn't transition her onto her new diet of Blue Buffalo puppy food.From her first poop with us, she has had diarrhea. It seems to be firming slowly but surely, but I'm starting to notice the faintest hint of blood in her last three stools. I noticed today she has slept quite a lot. Is she sick?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 24th, 2017

I do not recommend Blue Buffalo diets at all. I think they are too rich, especially for a young puppy. Also Blue Buffalo does not follow AAFCO standards (nutritional guidelines). So, I don't think their food is properly balanced. All they do well is marketing. Just because it is expensive doesn't make it better. If I were you I would find another food that uses AAFCO guidelines. It will tell you on the bag where the nutritional information is. If you could call the shelter where you got her and ask what they were feeding that would be helpful. The other thing I would do is feed a probiotic as that will help repopulate the GI tract with good bacteria. Hope this helps! Best wishes!

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Puppies can have blood in their stool from a viral infection, which can be severe, change in diet, or stress from getting a new home. The main viral infection, Parvo, can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting with anorexia and lethargy. Change in diet and stress often minimally effected their activity level and appetite. I would recommend adding a pro biotic to the food to help with the stool and getting her examined by a vet to check for parasites or a viral infection.

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