Membranes & Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs
Bloody diarrhea in any dog is an emergency, unless you know for a fact that the dog got into fresh, bloody carrion. Even then, the stool should be dark and tarry and not red. Red, bloody diarrhea is a sure sign of internal injury in the dog. Checking the color of the gums (membranes) will also let you see how bad the dog is.
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Membranes
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Lift the dog's lip to see the color of the gums. They should be salmon pink. If they are pale or turning blue, the dog is going into shock.
Finger Test
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Press your finger or thumb against the gums, then remove it. The white spot should quickly return to normal color. If it stays white for more than a second, the dog is going into shock.
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Warning
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A dog with bloody diarrhea needs to be seen by a vet immediately. There is no alternative or natural remedy. Otherwise, the dog could die.
Treatment
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The dog needs a combination of fluids, medication and possibly surgery. Antibiotics may be given as well.
Causes
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Causes of pale membranes and bloody diarrhea can sometimes be from infections of the digestive organs and internal injury, but is most often due to poisoning.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
