My pet has bloody stool. Is it diarrhea or something serious?

Question

I’m not sure if this is diarrhea or bloody stool

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Oh dear! It's hard to tell whether this is bloody diarrhea or vomit, as either one can be this color and consistency in some cases. You can try dabbing a paper towel gently around your pet's rectum to see if there are any traces of diarrhea there, as this can sometimes help to sort out where it came from. Regardless of whether this is vomit or diarrhea, it does look very concerning. If possible, I would recommend taking your pet to an emergency clinic tonight to be seen - especially if he/she is acting lethargic or not wanting to eat. Severe bloody vomit or diarrhea like this can be caused by a number of serious issues, including a bleeding stomach ulcer, HGE (hemorrhagic gastroenteritis), pancreatitis, or ingestion of something toxic. Your veterinarian can do blood work and x-rays if needed to help diagnose the problem and get your pet started on appropriate treatment depending on what is found.

My pet has bloody stool. Is it diarrhea or something serious?

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