My Dog Is Throwing Up Blood, What Do I Do? Facts & FAQ (Vet Answer)

It‘s a scary sight no dog owner wants to see – your beloved pup vomiting up blood. Even more alarming is if your dog is throwing up blood but otherwise acting completely normal. What could be causing this? How urgently should you see a vet? Is your dog‘s life in danger?

First, take a deep breath. While bloody vomit always warrants a call to your veterinarian, in many cases the underlying cause can be treated and your dog will recover just fine. Quick action on your part to get them the care they need is crucial. This article will walk you through the steps to take, explain the potential causes, and offer some prevention tips. By the end, you‘ll be equipped with the knowledge to help your furry friend should you ever face this scary situation.

What to Do If Your Dog Is Vomiting Blood

Your first priority is keeping your dog safe and getting them veterinary care. Follow these steps:

Secure your dog in a safe space away from any potential hazards and prevent them from ingesting anything else that could further irritate their digestive tract. Check their mouth for any foreign objects if possible.
Call your vet immediately. Be prepared to answer questions about the vomiting episode, your dog‘s recent health history, and any known exposure to toxins. The more information you can provide, the better. Keep any packaging from potentially ingested products to show your vet.
Follow your vet‘s instructions. They will likely want you to bring your dog in right away for an exam. If it‘s after hours, you may need to go to an emergency clinic. Your vet may advise you to collect a sample of the vomit to bring with you, if you can do so safely.
Do NOT attempt to treat your dog at home or induce vomiting. Well-meaning owners often think they should try to make their dog throw up more to "get it all out." This can actually cause more harm. The blood is a sign that the lining of the digestive tract is already irritated and damaged. Further vomiting could make this worse. Plus, some toxins and foreign objects can cause even more injury coming back up. Leave the treatment to your vet.
Transport your dog carefully and keep a close eye on them. Bloody vomit can quickly lead to dehydration, and depending on the amount of blood loss, even shock. Watch for any signs that your dog is getting worse, like pale gums, weak pulse, rapid breathing, or collapse. If you see these symptoms, get to a vet immediately, even if that means going to an ER facility instead of waiting for your regular clinic to open.

Causes of Dogs Vomiting Blood

The medical term for vomiting blood is hematemesis. There are many potential causes, some relatively mild and others much more serious. Systemic conditions like liver failure or bleeding disorders can lead to blood in the vomit. More commonly though, hematemesis results from injury or irritation to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The blood may appear bright red, which indicates it is fresh and coming from the stomach or upper small intestine. Blood that has been partially digested will look more like coffee grounds. This suggests it is coming from further down in the GI tract.

Some common causes of dogs throwing up blood include:

Ingestion of foreign objects. Curious dogs may eat toys, clothing, sticks, bones, and just about anything else they can get their mouths on. Hard or sharp objects can cause cuts and scratches to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Toxin exposure. Many common household items are poisonous to dogs. Rodenticides, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, household cleaners, and some human foods can damage the GI lining and cause bleeding.
Tumors and cancer. Masses growing in the digestive tract often bleed due to irritation from food passing by or the fragile blood vessels the tumors create.
Stomach ulcers. Stomach acid can eat away at the protective mucosal lining, creating sores that bleed. Certain medications like NSAIDs or steroids increase the risk of ulcers.
Viral and bacterial infections. Conditions like parvovirus, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and leptospirosis can cause bleeding in the GI tract along with vomiting and diarrhea.
Inflammatory bowel disease. In IBD, the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed and irritated. With severe inflammation, bleeding can develop.
Parasites. Massive infections with parasites like roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms can cause bleeding. The parasites feed on the tissue and rupture blood vessels.
Liver and kidney failure. The GI tract is often affected when other organ systems start to shut down. Ulcers and bleeding are common as waste products build up in the blood stream. Liver failure can also disrupt normal blood clotting.
Clotting disorders. Conditions like immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, and ingestion of certain rodenticides can prevent the body from clotting blood properly. Spontaneous bleeding, including in the GI tract, can result.
Heatstroke. Severe overheating can cause widespread organ damage and bleeding as the body goes into shock. Damaged intestines and stomach ulcers may develop.
Trauma and injury. Blunt force trauma like being hit by a car or falling from a height can rupture internal organs and blood vessels. Lacerations and bite wounds can also penetrate the abdominal wall and injure the digestive tract.

What Your Vet Will Do

When you arrive at the clinic, your vet will thoroughly examine your dog and assess their condition. They‘ll check vital signs like heart rate, respiration, and temperature. Pale gums, weak pulses, and prolonged capillary refill time can indicate anemia and blood loss. Abdominal pain is another key finding with many GI disorders. Your vet will also look for any evidence of external injuries or trauma.

After the exam, your vet will likely recommend some diagnostic tests. A complete blood count can reveal low red blood cells and platelets. A chemistry panel and urinalysis give information about organ function. A clotting profile assesses the body‘s ability to stop bleeding. X-rays and ultrasound allow your vet to visualize the size and shape of organs as well as look for tumors, foreign objects, and any pockets of blood in the abdomen.

If an infectious process is suspected, your vet may want to run some additional tests on blood or fecal samples. A parvo test can rapidly detect the presence of this virus. Other illnesses like leptospirosis and tick-borne disease also have specific tests.

To determine if there are masses, ulcers, or active bleeding sites in the GI tract, your dog may need an endoscopic exam under anesthesia. A long flexible camera is inserted through the mouth or rectum to directly visualize the mucosa. Biopsies can be taken at the same time to aid in diagnosis.

Once your vet determines the underlying cause of the bloody vomit, they can recommend a specific treatment plan. In the most severe cases, that may mean emergency surgery to remove a ruptured organ or stop hemorrhaging. Blood transfusions may be required if a dog is extremely anemic.

For all cases of hematemesis, supportive care remains a key part of treatment. Intravenous fluids combat dehydration and help maintain blood pressure. Anti-nausea drugs and gastric protectants soothe the irritated GI lining. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. A bland, easily digestible diet allows the digestive tract to heal.

If a dog is diagnosed with a chronic condition like IBD or a clotting disorder, they may need to stay on long-term medications. Follow-up visits will be important to monitor their condition and adjust treatment as needed.

Tips for Preventing Bloody Vomit in Dogs

Not all causes of vomiting blood can be anticipated or avoided. Some dogs are born with congenital defects and others will develop issues like cancer despite our best efforts. However, there‘s still a lot you can do to reduce your dog‘s risk of GI bleeding:

Keep up with preventive care. See your vet for regular check-ups, vaccines, and parasite control. Early detection and treatment of health problems is key.
Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for your dog‘s life stage and health condition. Avoid table scraps and other foods that can disrupt the gut microbiome.
Secure your garbage and keep potentially toxic items out of reach. This includes human medications, cleaning products, pesticides, and any other chemicals.
Prevent scavenging and ingestion of foreign objects. Keep your dog on a leash in public areas and supervise them closely. Avoid giving rawhides and bones that can splinter.
Address any vomiting or diarrhea promptly. Even if there‘s no blood present, these signs could progress to something more serious.
Prepare for emergencies. Keep your vet‘s contact information and the location of the nearest emergency clinic in an easily accessible location. Consider saving up an emergency fund to cover unexpected medical expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I take my dog to the vet for throwing up blood?
Immediately. While it may turn out to be something minor, bloody vomit is always cause for concern. The sooner you seek treatment, the better the chances of a successful outcome.

Can a dog survive after vomiting blood?
Yes, many dogs go on to make a full recovery following a bout of hematemesis. Prognosis depends on the underlying cause and how quickly treatment is initiated. Even dogs with severe hemorrhage may bounce back with intensive supportive care and surgery if needed.

Why is my dog vomiting blood but acting normally otherwise?
Some causes of GI bleeding like a single episode of dietary indiscretion may not make a dog feel systemically ill. They can be bleeding significantly but still have enough blood volume to maintain normal activity levels. Don‘t be fooled though – there could still be something seriously wrong. When in doubt, always have your dog evaluated by a vet.

The Bottom Line

Seeing blood in your dog‘s vomit is a heart-stopping moment for any pet parent. It‘s understandable to feel panicked and helpless. While certainly a medical emergency, the situation may not be quite as dire as you fear. Many causes of dogs throwing up blood are highly treatable, especially with prompt veterinary care. Stay calm, follow the steps outlined above, and trust your vet‘s guidance. There‘s an excellent chance your canine companion will soon be back to their normal happy, energetic self.