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Stressed puppy with bloody diarrhea: Is it parvo or just stress?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 4 months and 6 days old | 30 lbs

My 4 Month old German Shepard had a really stressful day yesterday.. I gave her a bath and took her to the dog park where she was terrified but starting last night she is having diarrhea and this morning it's more runny and there's a little blood.. I can't quite tell if she's lethargic because some days she is just more calm then others.. could it be the stress or should I be worried about something worse like parvo?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on November 16th, 2016

Poor Gemini! If she isn't fully vaccinated, then yes - I would be worried that this could be parvo. But you're right that dogs can also get diarrhea due to stress, or more minor issues such as a mild upset stomach. I would recommend offering Gemini a small amount of something bland, like plain boiled chicken and white rice. If she eats it, you can continue feeding this for the next 2-3 days until her stool returns to normal. If she doesn't want to eat, or if she begins vomiting in addition to the diarrhea, I would recommend taking her to the vet right away as these signs are very suggestive of parvo.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Gemini! The incubation period for parvo is 7-14 days, so if she did have parvo, it would have have appeared this suddenly overnight. Also, if Gemini is fully vaccinated, she will have immunity against it. If she is not fully vaccinated and has been to a dog park within the past two weeks, then I would be concerned that she could have parvo, and I would take her into a vet immediately. If she is fully vaccinated, then this blood in her feces might be due to stress, GI illness, eating something rotten, or intestinal parasites. If she isn't up to date on her deworming treatments, I would get one from the vet. You can try a home remedy to see if that helps with the diarrhea. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, she continues to have bloody stool, she starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away.

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