Bleeding, wherever it occurs, is always cause for alarm for caregivers, as blood is normally associated with danger. A anal bleeding, which we will deal with in this article on our site, can have different origins and, therefore, the correct diagnosis, which will always be made our veterinarian, the treatment will depend. Below we will see the most likely causes that can explain why your dog bleeds from the anus, differentiating whether the blood has a local origin or if, on the contrary, it comes of the digestive or even respiratory system by swallowing.
The dog's digestive system
The anus is the end of a digestive system that begins in the mouth, continues in the esophagus and continues in the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine and the rectum, just before the aforementioned anus. A hemorrhage at any point in this system, but also in the nasal cavity or even in the lungs, will come out through the anus.
As we can see, there are so many places where bleeding of this type can come from that we must pay attention to some details in order to get closer to a diagnosis. Thus, we can distinguish between hematochezia and melena In the first case we will be facing an emission of fresh blood, red and bright that can appear in normal or diarrheal stools. This bleeding in the dog's feces usually comes from the colon, rectum or anus. From the rest of the points will come the bleeding called melena, which is digested blood that we will observe in a few stools that are dark in color, even black. In addition, to explain why a dog has shed blood through the anus, we must look at whether the blood is mixed with the feces or, on the contrary, the blood appears on the outside, only covering it. This last case is the one we will focus on, since the blood will come from the anus. We will see the most common causes in the following sections.
Anal bleeding in dogs due to constipation
We begin this review of the causes that explain why a dog bleeds from the anus with constipation, which will mean that the animal does not evacuate or does so in small amounts and with obvious difficulty. It is during these efforts that bleeding can occur. The causes that produce it are various, so it may be due to dehydration, since that, even if it is mild, it can cause the stool to dry out, making it difficult to pass. When the dog swallows bones, tissues and other substances impossible to digest, it manages to form feces with the consistency of stones. Some medicines may also have constipation among their side effects and diseases such as hypothyroidism are sometimes responsible for chronic constipation. In addition, some dogs can inhibit the desire to defecate, being another cause of constipation.
If we observe anal bleeding, pain when defecating and/or straining we must consult our veterinarian so that he can determine the cause and, consequently, the treatment of constipation. We can prevent constipation by taking measures such as the following:
- Proper nutrition and hydration that facilitates proper intestinal transit.
- Avoid offering bones.
- Adequate veterinary check-ups that can detect various diseases in time.
- Maintaining a safe environment to prevent the ingestion of foreign bodies.
- Never medicate the dog without veterinary supervision.
- Give him opportunities to have a bowel movement and exercise.
Anal bleeding in dogs from the anal glands
The dog has two glands or sacs located on both sides of the anus. When the feces come out they exert pressure on them and in this way they empty a liquid that favors lubrication, while at the same time emitting an odor that will be characteristic of each dog. Sometimes these glands can become infected, one or both, which may explain why a dog bleeds from the anus. In these cases, the dog will feel pain and a yellowish or bloody secretion will be released. We can see that the dog rubs its anus on the ground and licks the area. We must go to our veterinarian, who will empty the glands and administer antibiotics.
With the same symptoms, but generally the inflammation of only one of the glands, we could be facing a abscess, which can reach break the skin, producing a perianal fistula from which a very bad-smelling liquid will come out. It is very important to go to the vet as soon as possible, since it may require surgery. To treat abscesses, disinfection and administration of antibiotics are necessary.
My dog bleeds from the anus and vomits
If we observe blood in our dog's anus and, at the same time, vomiting, we may be facing disorders other than those we have explained and these are so varied that it is essential to visit our veterinarian to determine by why the dog sheds blood from the anus and vomits. Some of these conditions are:
- Ulcers: these are lesions in the mucosa of the digestive system, often caused by the consumption of medications such as corticosteroids, but also by due to diseases such as kidney or liver failure. They cause vomiting, anemia, weight loss and, in the most serious cases, melena. Requires veterinary treatment.
- Parvovirus: mainly affects puppies and is characterized by the presence of vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. It is a very serious and contagious viral disease that only has support treatment, so vaccination is essential for its prevention.
- Poisonings: the ingestion of some poisons can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding and vomiting blood. Immediate veterinary assistance is required, as the dog's life is in danger.
- Heatstroke: An excessive increase in our dog's body temperature causes, among other symptoms, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. This is what happens when, for example, the dog is left inside the closed car during the hottest hours. It can cause death, so prompt veterinary attention is needed.
- Kidney failure: Failure of the kidneys to function can also cause vomiting and bloody diarrhea due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Veterinary treatment is needed to stabilize them, treat them where possible and maintain frequent monitoring.
