Dogs vomiting blood (properly called ‘hematemesis’) is a non-specific sign that can suggest several underlying issues. The amount and appearance of blood can help to determine whether the problem is severe or not, but cases should always be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Severity:
Mild to moderate to severe
Table of Contents
Key points
- Bloody vomit can be due to a variety of causes ranging from mild to severe
- The amount of blood and the presence of other symptoms help to decide how severe the problem is
- Exposure to toxins, the presence of a foreign object in the stomach, and cancers are all serious causes of dogs vomiting blood
- Dogs vomiting blood should always be evaluated by a vet to ensure the cause isn’t life-threatening, after which home treatment may be possible.
Common in:
Common in any age group, gender, and breed.
Symptoms and types:
Dogs may vomit blood on their first vomit, or it may occur after several episodes of vomiting that haven’t included any blood. The amount of blood and color of blood can make a difference to where the blood is coming from and how serious it is, so take a photo for your vet if you can.
Light streaks of blood, especially only occasionally, are generally less serious than red vomit. Dark specks of coffee grounds in the vomit suggest that the blood has been partially digested, and the bleeding may have occurred less recently.
Other symptoms you should look out for include bloody stools, tarry feces (melena), lack of appetite, and coughing. Pale gums are an indication that the blood loss is severe and is a sign of an emergency.
Even the ‘mild’ cases caused by stomach inflammation do need medical intervention to help dog settle down.
Understanding the diagnostics
Your veterinarian will want to talk to you briefly about your dog’s history, especially any possible toxin exposure, then examine your dog. They’re looking for signs of dehydration, anemia, and any indications as to the possible cause.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend blood tests. Imaging such as an x-ray or ultrasound may be recommended. In an anesthetized dog, a camera called an endoscope can be used to check the esophagus and stomach for foreign objects and ulcers.
Learning about the causes
Dogs may vomit blood for a number of reasons. These can loosely be divided into problems with the stomach and guts (the gastrointestinal system) and other problems that cause blood in the vomit, such as bleeding disorders.
Inflammation
Severe inflammation after irritation from non-food items or consistent vomiting causes blood vessels to burst, leaking blood. The amount of blood produced is usually small and seen as a streak in the bile – it’s rarely an emergency.
Injury to the esophagus, stomach, and guts
The gullet (esophagus), stomach, and guts can all become injured die to parasites, non-food items, or through contact with batteries or caustic chemicals. In addition, the stomach acid can ‘erode’ the lining of the stomach or the esophagus, causing an ulcer. This is more likely in certain diseases or with certain drugs. If the injury is deep enough for stomach contents to leak out of the stomach, the consequences are life-threatening.
Tumors
Tumors of the stomach and guts are often more prone to bleeding than the normal gut wall, so dogs with gastric tumors are more likely to vomit blood. Unless the tumor has caused a hole in the gut wall, this sort of bleed is rarely severe.
Coagulation problems
Dogs that have eaten rat poison, dogs that have been born with coagulation problems, or dogs with liver failure cannot clot their blood properly. Bleeding can happen anywhere in the body including the stomach. Usually, you’ll see more blood than with some of the other types of bleeding – the whole vomitus may be tinged red. Other signs of coagulopathy may be noticed on examination.
Respiratory blood
Sometimes, the blood contained in the vomit has actually been coughed up and swallowed from the lungs, then subsequently vomited. Although unusual, this should be considered in a dog that has been coughing.
Best treatment options
The treatment will depend on the cause.
- For dogs with bloody vomit brought about by an episode of severe vomiting, symptomatic treatment is likely to be effective. This may include anti-nausea medication and fluids to rehydrate them. Dogs with more severe symptoms, or those at risk of ulceration, may need a hospital stay for observation and more intensive treatment.
- For those where a foreign object has caused the bleeding, removal with surgery may be recommended. Some tumors can also be removed with surgery, although many will be better treated with chemotherapy.
Your veterinarian will talk through the best options for treatment depending on your dog’s individual case.
Home remedies and their effectiveness
You shouldn’t try to treat a dog throwing up blood at home, as many causes can be life-threatening.
If your dog has started vomiting blood, it’s best to see a vet. Even the ‘mild’ cases caused by stomach inflammation do need medical intervention to help them settle down. Many causes are more severe and some can be life-threatening, so it’s best to let your vet make that assessment.
However, simple home care when your dog first starts vomiting can prevent them progressing to throwing up blood. Removing food for several hours allows the stomach to settle. You should then re-introduce small amounts of a bland diet little and often so as not to overwhelm your dog’s stomach. This may be enough to stop your dog from vomiting, but if it’s ineffective it’s still recommended to see a vet.
When to see a vet
Most cases of vomiting blood should be assessed by a vet. Dogs vomiting blood is an emergency if:
- They have known exposure to a toxin
- They may have swallowed a foreign object
- They are unable to keep food or water down
- Their vomit contains significant amounts of blood (more than just a streak)
- They are lethargic or collapsed
- Their gums are pale
- The blood has appeared in more than three piles of vomitus
If your dog is vomiting blood without these signs, they should still be assessed by a vet, but they may be able to wait until morning. It is still recommended that you call and ask your emergency vet’s opinion if you are in any way concerned about your dog.
FAQ
Dogs vomiting blood is an emergency if there is significant blood loss, they are lethargic, or they’ve had known access to a toxin or foreign object. Otherwise, it can be considered urgent and you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
There are lots of causes of dogs throwing up blood. The most common is inflammation or irritation of the guts and stomach, but clotting problems and internal injuries can also cause dogs to vomit blood.
A streak of blood in vomit can be common if dogs have been vomiting for a while, as it can indicate
that your dog’s stomach has become inflamed. However, it’s never normal to vomit this much and
it’s a good idea to call your vet to see if you should be concerned.
You shouldn’t try to treat a dog throwing up blood at home, as many causes can be life-threatening. Call your veterinarian for advice. They’ll be able to decide how concerned you should be, and may be able to offer you an injection or tablet to stop your dog from throwing up.
If your dog has just started vomiting, you can remove all food for a few hours and then only offer them a bland diet in small amounts (a tablespoon at a time) every few hours. However, if this is ineffective or if your dog has already been vomiting for some time, it’s best to call your vet. Dogs can quickly become dehydrated when vomiting and it can be a sign of several life-threatening conditions.
After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Jo went on to work in companion animal practice in the UK. After spending time in an orthopaedic referral hospital, a feline only practice, and a general practice with out-of-hours, she moved to working as a locum relief vet in order to spend more time writing. She lives in the Channel Islands with her partner Ian and their badly behaved terrier, Pixie.
