Blood in Urine or Stool in Pets Treated in Traverse City, MI
Seeing blood in your pet’s urine or stool is alarming, and it should always be checked by a veterinarian. At Omnivet in Traverse City, MI, our team uses in-house diagnostics to find the source of the bleeding quickly and start the right treatment.
Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)
Blood in the urine may look pink, red, orange, or brown, or you may see blood spots on bedding or in the litter box. Common causes include:
- Urinary tract infections and other urinary infections
- Bladder stones or crystals
- Feline idiopathic cystitis
- Trauma to the abdomen or bladder
- Prostate disease in intact male dogs
- Clotting problems from rodent bait toxin ingestion
- Bladder or kidney tumors
If your pet is straining to urinate and producing little or no urine, this may be a urinary obstruction and requires emergency care.
Blood in the Stool
Bright red blood (hematochezia) usually comes from the colon or rectum, while black, tarry stool (melena) indicates bleeding higher in the digestive tract and is often more serious. Causes include:
- Colitis from stress, diet changes, or dietary indiscretion
- Intestinal parasites
- Infections such as parvovirus
- Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which causes sudden bloody vomiting and diarrhea
- Swallowed objects that scrape or injure the intestines
- Stomach ulcers from medications such as human pain relievers
- Rodent bait poisoning and clotting disorders
- Polyps or tumors
When to Seek Immediate Care
Call Omnivet at (231) 244-4860 right away if your pet has large amounts of blood, black or tarry stool, vomiting, weakness, pale gums, a swollen belly, or may have eaten rodent bait, or if a cat is straining to urinate.
How We Diagnose and Treat Bleeding
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough exam and may recommend urinalysis, urine culture, fecal testing, bloodwork including clotting tests, and digital X-rays to look for stones, foreign bodies, or masses. Persistent problems may call for a full medical workup or endoscopy.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, dewormers, a special diet, fluid therapy, clotting support such as vitamin K, or surgery to remove stones or obstructions.
Bring a Sample if You Can
A fresh urine or stool sample can speed up diagnosis. Our urgent care, same-day, and walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood in Urine or Stool
Is blood in my pet’s urine an emergency?
It can be. If your pet is straining with little or no urine, is weak, or may have eaten rodent bait, call (231) 244-4860 immediately. Otherwise, schedule a same-day exam.
What causes blood in a dog’s stool?
Common causes include colitis, parasites, dietary indiscretion, infections, swallowed objects, ulcers, and clotting disorders.
What does black, tarry stool mean?
Black stool often indicates bleeding in the stomach or upper intestines, which can be serious and should be evaluated promptly.
Should I bring a sample to the appointment?
Yes. A fresh urine or stool sample collected within a few hours helps us reach a diagnosis faster.
Can stress cause bloody stool?
Yes. Stress can trigger colitis, which often causes mucus and small amounts of bright red blood in the stool.
What tests will my pet need?
We often recommend urinalysis or fecal testing, bloodwork, and X-rays to find the source of bleeding.
Can rodent bait cause bleeding?
Yes. Many rodent baits prevent blood from clotting and can cause bleeding days after ingestion. This is an emergency.