Seeing your dog throwing up blood is frightening, and it is never something to ignore. Sometimes the blood comes from a small scratch in the throat. However, it can also signal a stomach ulcer, a poisoning or internal bleeding.
Because some of these problems become life-threatening within hours, it helps to know what to look for. This guide explains what blood in dog vomit looks like, the most common causes, and what to do on the way to the vet.
The Animal Emergency and Urgent Care Center (AEUCC) in Deerfield Beach is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our emergency team can examine your dog, find the source of the bleeding and start treatment right away.
Is a Dog Throwing Up Blood an Emergency?
In most cases, yes. Call an emergency vet right away if you see more than a small streak of blood, or if your dog vomits blood more than once. Also, a dog that vomits blood and seems weak, pale or in pain needs care immediately.
A single small streak of red may come from irritation after hard retching, especially if your dog is otherwise bright and eating. Even then, call a veterinarian for advice. Bleeding inside the stomach is easy to underestimate, because much of the blood never comes back up.
When in doubt, treat it as an emergency. After all, it is always better to hear that your dog is fine than to wait too long.
What Does Blood in Dog Vomit Look Like?
The color and texture of the blood offer clues about where it comes from. Veterinarians call vomiting blood hematemesis.
- Bright red streaks or clots. Fresh blood usually comes from the mouth, throat, esophagus or stomach.
- Dark brown “coffee grounds.” Partly digested blood looks like coffee grounds. It points to bleeding in the stomach or upper intestine that may have started hours earlier.
- Pink, frothy fluid. Foamy blood can come from the airways or lungs instead of the stomach. Coughing up blood is also an emergency.
If you find your dog throwing up blood, take a clear photo of the vomit before you clean it up. The photo helps the veterinarian judge how much blood there was and what kind.
Why Is My Dog Throwing Up Blood?
Many different problems can make a dog vomit blood. Some are mild, while others are life-threatening. Here are the most common causes our veterinarians look for.
Stomach Ulcers and Pain Medicine
Ulcers in the stomach or upper intestine are a leading cause of a dog throwing up blood. Human pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin can cause ulcers in dogs. In fact, a single tablet can be dangerous for a small dog. Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs can also irritate the stomach, especially when a dog takes them together with steroids such as prednisone. For this reason, never give your dog any pain medicine without your veterinarian’s advice.
Poisons, Including Rat Poison and Sago Palm
Many rat and mouse poisons stop the blood from clotting. A dog may seem normal for several days after eating the bait, and then start bleeding inside. Sago palms, which grow in many South Florida yards, are also very toxic to dogs. Every part of the plant is poisonous, especially the seeds. Sago palm poisoning can cause bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea and liver failure. In addition, drain cleaners and other caustic chemicals can burn the mouth, throat and stomach.
Swallowed Objects and Bones
Sharp objects, bone splinters and sticks can scrape or tear the lining of the stomach or intestines. Cooked bones are especially risky because they splinter easily. A swallowed object can also cause a blockage, which needs prompt care. Our article on what to do if your pet swallows a foreign object explains the warning signs.
Infections and Stomach Inflammation
Parvovirus is a serious viral infection that mainly affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. It often causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea and severe dehydration. Another condition, acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), causes sudden bloody diarrhea, and many of these dogs vomit as well, sometimes with blood. Both conditions need emergency treatment. Similarly, a bad bout of gastritis after eating garbage can sometimes bring up streaks of blood.
Kidney, Liver and Clotting Problems
Some illnesses affect the whole body and lead to stomach bleeding. For example, kidney failure, liver disease and Addison’s disease can all cause ulcers. Likewise, conditions that lower the platelet count or block clotting can make a dog bleed from the gut, nose or gums. Heatstroke, a real risk during South Florida summers, can also damage the stomach lining and disrupt clotting. Stomach tumors are a less common cause, mostly in older dogs.
Blood Swallowed From the Mouth or Nose
Sometimes the blood does not come from the stomach at all. A cut tongue, injured gums, a broken tooth or a nosebleed can leave blood that your dog swallows and later vomits. These causes still deserve a veterinary visit, especially if the bleeding does not stop.
When to Take a Dog Vomiting Blood to the ER
Go to an emergency veterinarian right away if your dog is throwing up blood and you notice any of the following:
- More than a few small streaks of blood, or any clots.
- Dark, coffee-ground material in the vomit.
- Vomiting that happens more than once or twice.
- Pale, white or gray gums.
- Weakness, collapse or unusual tiredness.
- Black, tarry stool or bloody diarrhea.
- A swollen or painful belly, or retching without bringing anything up.
- Fast breathing or a racing heart.
- Possible contact with rat poison, medicine, sago palm or another toxin.
- A puppy or an unvaccinated dog, because of the risk of parvovirus.
Puppies, small dogs, seniors and dogs with kidney, liver or heart disease can get worse quickly. So, for these dogs, do not wait to see whether the vomiting stops. Our article on when vomiting in a dog is an emergency covers other warning signs.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Throwing Up Blood
Quick, calm action helps both your dog and our veterinary team.
- Keep your dog calm and quiet. Move them away from stairs, pools and other hazards in case they faint.
- Check the gums. Lift the lip and look at the color. Healthy gums are pink, while pale, white or gray gums can mean serious blood loss.
- Hold off on food. Do not offer a meal until a veterinarian has examined your dog.
- Skip human medicine. Pepto-Bismol, aspirin and similar products can make bleeding worse.
- Avoid making your dog vomit unless a veterinarian or a poison control expert tells you to.
- Collect information. Bring a photo or sample of the vomit, any packaging from something your dog ate, and a list of their medicines.
- Call ahead, then drive safely. A quick call lets our team prepare for your arrival. Our guide on how to safely transport an injured pet can help.
If you think your dog ate a poison, you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply). However, do not let the call delay the trip if your dog is already bleeding or weak.
How Do Vets Treat a Dog Vomiting Blood?
First, the veterinarian checks your dog’s heart rate, breathing, gum color and hydration. If your dog has lost a lot of blood, the team starts stabilizing treatment right away. Next, tests help find the source of the bleeding. These may include:
- Blood tests that measure red blood cells, platelets and organ function, run in our in-house lab.
- Clotting tests, especially when rat poison is possible.
- X-rays and ultrasound from our diagnostic imaging service to look for objects, ulcers or masses.
- A parvovirus test for puppies and young dogs.
Treatment depends on the cause. Common treatments include IV fluids, anti-nausea medicine and drugs that protect the stomach lining. Dogs with rat poison often need vitamin K1, and some need a plasma or blood transfusion. If a swallowed object or a torn ulcer is the problem, your dog may need surgery. Many dogs then stay in our hospital or intensive care unit for monitoring. To learn more about testing, read how vets diagnose your pet in an emergency.
Can a Dog Recover After Throwing Up Blood?
Yes, a dog throwing up blood can often recover well, especially when treatment starts early. The outlook depends on the cause and on how much blood your dog has lost. For example, ulcers often heal with medication and a short hospital stay. Rat poison cases usually respond to vitamin K1 when caught in time. In contrast, cancer, severe liver disease or advanced kidney failure carry a more guarded outlook.
After your dog comes home, follow the feeding and medication plan closely. Also, schedule any recheck visits your veterinarian recommends.
How to Lower Your Dog’s Risk
You cannot prevent every cause of a dog throwing up blood. Still, a few habits make a big difference:
- Store human and pet medicines where your dog cannot reach them.
- Never give pain relievers to your dog without a veterinarian’s advice. Acetaminophen is dangerous too, as our article on acetaminophen toxicity in dogs explains.
- Avoid rat and mouse poisons anywhere your dog lives and plays.
- Remove sago palms from your yard, or fence them off.
- Give chew toys made for dogs instead of cooked bones.
- Secure trash cans and compost bins.
- Keep your puppy’s vaccines on schedule to protect against parvovirus.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Dog Threw Up Blood but Seems Fine. What Should I Do?
A dog throwing up blood still needs a call to a veterinarian the same day, even if they act normal. A tiny streak after hard retching may be minor. However, some causes, such as rat poison, can look mild at first. Watch closely for pale gums, weakness, black stool or more vomiting, and come in right away if you see any of them.
Can Stress Make a Dog Throw Up Blood?
Stress can upset a dog’s stomach, and some dogs vomit during travel or boarding. Blood in the vomit, though, usually points to another problem that needs a diagnosis. Therefore, have your dog examined instead of assuming stress is the cause.
Is Pepto-Bismol Safe for a Dog Vomiting Blood?
No. Pepto-Bismol contains a salicylate, a relative of aspirin, which can make stomach bleeding worse. It also turns stool black, which can hide signs of internal bleeding. Only give medicine that your veterinarian has prescribed for this problem.
Emergency Care at AEUCC in Deerfield Beach
The Animal Emergency and Urgent Care Center (AEUCC) is an emergency and critical care hospital at 103 N. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. We hold accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That means you never have to wait for your regular vet’s office to open. Our team provides emergency vet care, trauma care, surgery, diagnostic imaging, lab work, hospitalization and a full intensive care unit.
Although our hospital is in Deerfield Beach, we also serve pet owners in nearby cities, including Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Margate, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach.
If your dog is throwing up blood, or your pet needs any of our emergency services, contact the Animal Emergency and Urgent Care Center (AEUCC) right away. Call us at (954) 428-9888 or visit our contact page for directions, any time of the day or night.
