Seeing your dog vomiting blood is terrifying. Your mind races with questions: Is it serious? What caused it? What should I do? As pet parents, our furry companions rely on us to keep them safe and healthy, so witnessing something as alarming as bloody vomit can send us into a panic. But before you assume the worst, take a deep breath. While vomiting blood (also known as hematemesis) can signal serious health issues, understanding the causes and seeking prompt veterinary care can make all the difference.
Understanding Why Your Dog Is Vomiting Blood
Hematemeis, or blood in vomit, isn’t a disease itself—it’s a symptom of an underlying issue. The severity depends on the amount of blood, how often your dog is vomiting, and whether other symptoms accompany it. Bright red blood usually means active bleeding, while vomit that looks like coffee grounds suggests the blood has been partially digested, indicating a longer-standing issue in the digestive tract.
Common Causes of Bloody Vomit in Dogs
There are several reasons why your dog may be vomiting blood, ranging from mild to life-threatening. Some common causes include gastrointestinal issues such as stomach ulcers, inflammation, or viral or bacterial infections that can cause irritation and bleeding.
Dogs explore the world with their mouths, and if they swallow something sharp—like a bone fragment or toy—it can damage their respiratory tract and/or digestive tract. Ingesting household toxins, rat poison, or even certain human foods can cause internal bleeding.
If your dog has been vomiting or coughing excessively, small blood vessels in the esophagus may rupture, leading to blood in vomit. Some conditions, such as hemophilia or exposure to toxins like anticoagulant rodenticides, can prevent blood from clotting properly. Advanced organ dysfunction, such as liver or kidney disease, can lead to clotting issues and gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, infections in the digestive tract or severe cases of intestinal parasites can result in bloody vomit.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
If your dog is throwing up blood, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and call your veterinarian. However, certain signs indicate an emergency, such as prolonged or severe vomiting, weakness, lethargy, collapse, pale gums (a sign of severe blood loss), black or tarry stools (indicating internal bleeding), or dehydration (dry gums, sunken eyes, excessive panting).
In severe cases, your dog may require urgent care, including fluid therapy, blood transfusions, or surgery. At ModernVet, our team is prepared to handle emergency cases and provide the immediate treatment your dog needs.
Diagnosing the Cause of Blood in Vomit
Your vet will conduct a thorough examination to determine why your dog is vomiting blood. This may include a physical exam to check for signs of pain, dehydration, or underlying conditions, bloodwork and clotting tests to assess organ function and blood clotting ability, X-rays and ultrasounds to identify foreign objects, tumors, or structural abnormalities, and fecal and urinalysis tests to check for parasites, infections, or kidney issues.
Treatment Options
The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some common treatments include fluid therapy and blood transfusions to address dehydration and blood loss, medications such as antibiotics, anti-nausea drugs, or stomach lining protectants, dietary adjustments including a bland diet to help heal the stomach lining, and surgery in cases of foreign object ingestion, tumors, or severe internal bleeding. At ModernVet, we offer advanced diagnostic tools and comprehensive treatment options to ensure your pet receives the best care possible.
Preventing Future Episodes
While you can’t always prevent vomiting blood, you can take steps to reduce your dog’s risk. Monitoring their diet by avoiding feeding bones, fatty table scraps, or toxic foods, keeping harmful substances out of reach by storing household cleaners, medications, and pesticides in secure places, practicing parasite prevention with regular flea, tick, and heartworm treatments, and scheduling routine vet visits for early detection of health issues can help prevent severe complications.
Seeing your dog vomit blood is scary, but acting quickly can make all the difference. If your dog shows any concerning symptoms, don’t wait—call your veterinarian immediately. At ModernVet, we’re here to help with expert care, advanced treatments, and a compassionate team ready to support you and your furry friend.
Whether it’s a minor issue or a serious emergency, we’re committed to keeping your pet healthy and happy. If your dog is vomiting blood, contact us today to schedule an appointment. If it is an emergency please contact your closest emergency veterinarian.
