Due to dogs being so popular, we see countless questions about keeping pet dogs every single month and although some of the problems people have with their dogs are common sense and often nothing to worry about, some of them are more serious.
For today’s article, we are going to be taking a look at one of these more serious issues and that is what you should do if your dog has blood diarrhea after neutering!
One of the most common causes of bloody diarrhea in dogs after neutering is an infection in the surgical site. This can often be treated with antibiotics, but it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your dog begins to experience these symptoms.
Other potential causes of bloody diarrhea in dogs after neutering include internal bleeding, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity), and intestinal blockage.
If your dog is displaying any other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, or decreased appetite, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately as these could be signs of a more serious condition.
You can book a video call with a veterinarian to speak to a vet now or take your dog to your local veterinary office.
Is It Normal For My Dog To Have Bloody Diarrhea After Being Neutered?
No, it is not normal for your dog to have bloody diarrhea after being neutered. If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Even regular diarrhea can lead to dehydration in dogs, so it is important to make sure your dog has plenty of water to drink and is not left alone for too long if they are experiencing this symptom.
Keeping your dog well hydrated during recovery after most operations is essential so normal diarrhea can be a potential issue never mind diarrhea with blood in it.
Most vets will offer some brief advice after neutering a dog about what to expect and in some rare cases, they may inform you that diarrhea may be a side effect of the medication they give you.
In the vast majority of cases, there should not be blood in the diarrhea that is due to medication though!
Why Does My Dog Have Bloody Diarrhea After Being Neutered?
As we briefly mentioned earlier, there are a number of potential causes for bloody diarrhea in dogs after neutering.
One of the most common causes is an infection at the surgical site. This can often be treated with antibiotics, but it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible if your dog begins to experience these symptoms.
Other potential causes of bloody diarrhea in dogs after neutering include internal bleeding, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity), and intestinal blockage. Secondary, less common potential symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and a decreased appetite.
All or none of these secondary symptoms can be present in a dog with bloody diarrhea but the more symptoms that are displayed often gives a vet a better idea of what is wrong and what to do.
Starting a log of how often your dog poops as well as how much blood is in the diarrhea can be a good idea and although is may sound strange, taking a photograph on your phone to shot the vet is actually an excellent idea too.
If the amount of blood in your dogs diarrhea starts to increase then this can be a sign of internal bleeding or an infection in your dog getting worse.
How Do I Know if My Dog Has An Infection After Being Neutered?
The most common symptom of an infection in your dog after being neutered is bloody diarrhea. However, as we mentioned earlier, other potential symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and a decreased appetite.
Your dogs temperature may also be raised if they have an infection. The normal temperature for a dog is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your dog feels warm to the touch or their temperature is over 103 degrees, this could be a sign of an infection too.
Some dogs will start to breathe rapidly or heavily when they have some types of infection too but this is not a reliable symptom to confirm an infection as rapid or heavy breathing can mean other things in dogs too.
Could It Be Parasites?
In some cases, the blood in your dog’s poop could just be a coincidence due to the dog having parasites. Intestinal parasites are more common in puppies but can affect dogs of any age with a common result being blood in the poop of the dog.
The most common symptom of intestinal parasites is diarrhea, which may or may not be bloody. Other potential symptoms include a change in appetite, weight loss, and lethargy.
Due to begin so close to an operation, we would still recommend that you get advice form a vet though. Sometimes, you may be able to see worms or other types of parasite in your dogs poop to help give you an idea that this is the problem.
How Long Does Bloody Diarrhea Last After A Dog Has Been Neutered?
The duration of bloody diarrhea in dogs can vary depending on the underlying cause. If your dog has a simple infection, they may only experience symptoms for a few days. However, if the cause is something more serious, such as internal bleeding or a serious infection, the symptoms may last for longer.
The faster you get medication for your dog, the shorter the problem should last and the faster your pet dog should be able to return to full health too.
What Should I Do If My Dog Has Bloody Diarrhea After Being Neutered?
If your dog has bloody diarrhea after being neutered, the first thing you should do is seek veterinary care. Booking a video call with a veterinarian is usually the quickest and often cheapest way to get professional advice but depending on your area, you may be able to get your dog to your local veterinary surgery quickly too.
During the consultation, your vet will ask you about your dog’s symptoms and may want to know when the bloody diarrhea started as well as how much blood there is in each stool. They will also ask about any other symptoms that your dog is displaying and may want to know if they have been more tired than usual or if their appetite has changed.
If you have been taking photographs of your dogs bloody diarrhea with your phone then be sure to make your veterinarian aware of this too. Something as simple as this may be enough to offer your vet the information they require to work out if the blood in your dogs poop is due to an infection or parasites or if the problem is getting worse of getting better.
Your vet will carry out a physical examination of your dog to check for any external signs of injury or infection and will also want to take their temperature. They may also want to carry out some tests on a sample of your dog’s diarrhea to check for the presence of parasites, bacteria, or other types of infections.
Based on the findings of the physical examination and any tests that have been carried out, your veterinarian will be able to provide a diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment for your dog.
In some cases, the cause of the bloody diarrhea may be something that can be easily treated at home. For example, if your dog has an intestinal parasite, they may just need to be treated with a course of worming medication. However, if the cause is something more serious, such as internal bleeding or a serious infection, your dog may need to be hospitalized for treatment.
Preventing Bloody Diarrhea After Neutering
The best way to prevent bloody diarrhea after neutering is to make sure that your dog is healthy before they undergo the procedure. This means that you should make sure that they are up to date with their vaccinations and that they have been wormed and treated for fleas.
You should also choose a reputable veterinarian to carry out the procedure and make sure that they are experienced in carrying out dog neutering operations.
It is also important to follow the aftercare instructions that your veterinarian gives you after the operation. This will help to reduce the risk of your dog developing any complications, such as an infection.
