Hi Vivian,

Thanks for your question!

Timmy is lucky to have you looking out for him. Blood in the stool can mean a lot of different things, some minor and some serious. If the blood is on the surface and is bright red, this indicates bleeding at the end of the gastrointestinal tract (in colon, rectum or anus). If the blood is darker and mixed throughout the feces, this generally means there is bleeding further up in the body.

Causes of blood in or on the feces are varied and can include straining from constipation, anal gland problems, food intolerance/sensitivity, gastrointestinal infections (parasites, bacteria, or viruses), dietary indiscretion/foreign bodies and tumours. Stress or a change in routine can commonly cause this as well (often called “stress colitis”).

If this problem is not clearing up on the current treatment plan or is accompanied by other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or inappetence, it is best to visit the vet again. Consider bringing in a fecal sample so your vet can do some tests for parasites and other infections. Additional diagnostics such as X-rays may be recommended as well.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Kim Hester