Dealing with dog feces is among the less enjoyable aspects of having a pet.
Even though humans find poop repulsive and detest having to clean it up, paying attention to your dog’s feces is a fantastic method to keep an eye on his general health.
Dog feces should typically be solid and dark brown in color.
However, the color and consistency of each dog’s feces will differ significantly.
Because of this, it’s important to understand what your dog’s normal looks like.
What does it, therefore, signify if you see a black dog poop?
In addition to identifying the most frequent causes of black feces in dogs, this article will also let you know when you should be concerned.
Understanding the Color and Consistency of Black Dog Poop
Black dog poop could be a sign of a very serious, potentially fatal sickness.
However, not all black-looking feces are always abnormal.
It’s vital to pay attention to the consistency of the stool in addition to the color while examining your dog’s feces.
You should call your vet if your dog’s excrement is black unless there is an evident cause.
The type of feces your dog passes—hard, crumbly, watery, soft and sticky, etc.—can help your veterinarian decide whether or not your dog needs to be evaluated right away.
Taking a picture of your dog’s unusual excrement and showing it to your veterinarian is also beneficial.
Why does my dog have black dog poop?
Black dog poop may result from:
- Bleeding inside
- What your dog consumes and what medications it takes
- Internal Blood Loss
The main worry with black dog poop is that it can be a sign of digested blood coming from the body.
A veterinarian should examine your dog straight away if his feces is black, tarry, or sticky since this is a dangerous sign known as melena.
Melena can result from bleeding in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or small intestines, among other places. In many cases, this is brought on by stomach ulcers.
Some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; ex: carprofen, meloxicam, grapiprant) or steroids, can cause ulcers in dogs as a side effect (ex: prednisone, prednisolone).
Additionally, parasites and specific bacterial diseases can cause bleeding ulcers.
Other symptoms of stomach ulcers include decreased appetite, low energy, and vomit that looks like coffee grounds or contains blood.
Blood-filled tumors in the stomach, small intestines, esophagus, or mouth can also result in black dog stool.
Another bleeding condition that can result in black, tarry stools is rat poison consumption, which needs to be treated right soon by your veterinarian to avoid fatal repercussions.
Another reason for black stools that are connected to bleeding is:
Bleeding diseases, such as immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and Von Willebrand disease
the presence of foreign substances or bodies in the digestive system
a traumatic event that causes internal bleeding
(For instance, being struck by a car or falling down stairs)
Diet
Examine your dog’s food carefully if his or her excrement is black in color but average in consistency, especially if the dog is acting normally.
If your dog enjoys eating compost or soil, this can be the reason why his feces are turning black.
While this might not damage him, consuming soil might upset the stomach and increase the risk of developing intestinal parasite infections.
Your dog’s excrement may turn black if you feed it dark foods, foods flavored with black food coloring, or uncooked meats that have been cut into pieces.
Supplements and medications
Additionally, Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) and iron supplements might cause dogs to have black stools.
Activated charcoal is a different treatment that is certain to color your dog’s feces black.
Veterinarians frequently provide activated charcoal to dogs who have ingested potentially harmful substances.
Toxins are prevented from being absorbed by the body by the activated charcoal, which aids in binding to them.
Ulceration of the digestive tract
The three most frequent causes of this ailment in dogs are hepatic (liver) disease, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, and neoplasia, which is abnormal cell growth.
Your dog could be in pain in their tummy, have no appetite, or show no other symptoms of discomfort.
This disease can have a variety of origins and requires immediate veterinary care.
Cancer
Nobody wants to hear that their cherished dog has cancer, but sadly, it can happen.
It is well known that your dog has a better chance of receiving a successful treatment and living a longer life if cancer is discovered quickly.
Even while black stools don’t always mean cancer, it’s preferable for your dog if you can get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
A few diagnostic tests should be performed at the clinic if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms: behavioral abnormalities, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight loss.
Thrombotic Disorders
Blood that does not clot properly in a dog can cause bleeding in any area, including the upper digestive tract.
Ingestion of rat bait or Von Willebrand’s illness is just two of the many potential reasons of clotting abnormalities.
Biological Agents
It is necessary to rule out conditions affecting the digestive system, such as intestinal parasites, and bacterial, viral, or fungal diseases.
Any of these substances have the potential to result in internal bleeding in the stomach or small intestine.
To identify an infection, the veterinarian may perform procedures like an endoscopy, an abdominal scan, and a stool sample analysis.
It goes without saying that it requires veterinary attention and action.
Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome or hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
Although the cause of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is presently unknown, it needs to be treated right away to keep your dog from dying from dehydration.
A blood test will probably confirm the diagnosis.
The diagnostic tests will demonstrate an increased packed cell volume if your dog has this problem.
How To Care For Black Dog Poop?
The first step is to take your dog to the vet immediately for a medical inspection because dark feces signify something is wrong.
It can aid in the diagnosis if you can collect a sample of the stool to show the veterinarian.
Depending on the condition your dog may be experiencing, the course of treatment and price will vary.
It may be necessary to do surgery to remove the offending object if your dog ate something that is causing internal bleeding (due to a sharp or pointed object).
After the procedure, your pet might need to spend a few days in the hospital, but they should recover fast.
For several days, some individuals will be monitored in the hospital.
A course of the appropriate medication will aid in your dog’s recovery if they are fighting parasites or an infectious disease.
Your dog will frequently have follow-up exams and tests to see if the meds are working.
We occasionally don’t receive a conclusive cause for hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Your dog will need imaging, stool analysis, and blood testing to help diagnose the condition. HGE can be brought on by toxins ingested, clostridial infections, and allergic reactions.
It is possible for dogs to develop gastrointestinal cancer as they age, and how much it will impair your dog’s health will depend on the specific form of cancer.
To ascertain the degree of the damage, your veterinarian will perform blood tests, x-rays, and a thorough physical examination of your dog.
Whenever a mass is found, a sample is typically taken to establish whether it is benign or cancerous.
A biopsy can be performed surgically or by endoscopy (via an exploratory laparotomy).
These samples may aid in the diagnosis, allowing the veterinarian to choose the most appropriate course of action.
Depending on the severity of the problem, your veterinarian may recommend fluids, anti-acid medication, and rehydration for your dog if it has gastric ulcers.
A soft, bland diet that is simple to digest is necessary for dietary adjustments in order for healing to take place.
Additional testing could be necessary since ulcers might be a complication of an underlying illness, such as renal failure.
You should keep a close eye on your dog if its feces turn black for the first time but the stool generally seems normal in consistency and your dog is not exhibiting any other unusual symptoms.
If the excrement later turns back to its regular hue, there is probably nothing to worry about.
It is best to have your dog checked out by your veterinarian if, despite normal consistency, his excrement remains black. Make sure to bring a sample of your feces to your appointment.
You should take your dog to your regular vet or an emergency veterinary facility right away if he has a black mushy or liquid stool, especially if he also displays other unusual symptoms like lethargy, weakness, vomiting, bruises, or pale gums.
To identify the reason for the black stool, blood work, X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, fecal testing, and other tests can be necessary.
Since bleeding in the body is frequently the cause of black stools, prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are essential.
The cost of treating black stools might be high.
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Should I be concerned and how serious is it?
Yes. If you see black feces, you need to call your veterinarian right away. Melena might be a potentially fatal illness.
Even though it may sound strange, showing your veterinarian a picture of the melena during your appointment—or even a sample of your dog’s feces—can be very beneficial.
What will my vet do?
When you take your dog to the vet, they will first do a thorough clinical examination to determine the dog’s overall health.
Your dog may need to be hospitalized and undergo a number of diagnostic procedures, depending on how ill and injured they are.
They will probably recommend a blood test to examine organ function and look for evidence of anemia in order to further investigate (low red blood cells).
They may then recommend additional sophisticated blood tests, clotting profiles, diagnostic imaging (x-rays and ultrasound), urine testing, and fecal analyses based on these results.
In order to view the interior of the upper digestive tract, endoscopy may also be employed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, looking at your dog’s poop will help you spot anomalies more quickly.
This can aid in the early diagnosis of dangerous illnesses!
This essay has persuaded you to routinely inspect your dog’s feces, as unappealing as it is to stroll about your garden looking at your dog’s waste.
The therapy and prognosis for melena are highly reliant on the underlying cause, hence the topic of treatment has not been covered in this article.
It is crucial to act quickly and call your veterinarian as soon as you notice melena in your dog.
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