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My diabetic dog has sudden bloody diarrhea. Is this normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Male | neutered | 11 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

My Maltese has diabetes and just all of a sudden he started having diarrhea and tonight it's bloody is that normal?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 14th, 2017

Poor guy. No this isn't normal for a diabetic dog to all of a sudden have signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (bloody stool). HGE is typically caused by stress to the pet, or sometimes a bloody disorder. Toby needs to see a vet right away for antibiotics, probiotics, and also an full examination to make sure no blood disorder is the cause of this. Until you can get him in to be seen, you should only feed him a bland diet of either boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese OR Purina EN Gastrointestinal, to help combat his highly sensitive and compromised GI (gastrointestinal-stomach and intestines) tract. Here is a website link that has some useful information on this condition http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2946

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on

    Oh dear! No, this isn't normal. Any illness like this can be especially serious in a diabetic dog, so I would recommend taking Toby to an emergency vet tonight. The vet can do a fecal exam and blood work or other testing if needed to help determine what is causing the bloody diarrhea and get him started on appropriate treatment.

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