How to Treat Rectal Bleeding in Dogs

Canine rectal bleeding can be caused by various factors. The most common cause is mild constipation, which leads to hard and irritating stool. Other more serious causes include parasites, tumors in the anus or colon, rectal fissures and anal sacculitis. Most dogs who experience occasional bleeding do not have serious health problems, and the bleeding will disappear in a few days. But even though rectal bleeding is a common canine ailment, it is still important to let your vet rule out any serious health concerns.

Instructions

1

Take your dog to the veterinarian. Your vet will perform a physical and rectal exam on your dog and may order a blood test or fecal analysis. An endoscopy may be required to diagnose ailments such as colitis and rectal polyps. Many dogs experience rectal bleeding for no apparent reason, but you should let your vet rule out any health problems.

2

Do not let your dog eat bones or indigestible matter. When dogs consume things they shouldn't, they can become constipated, which can lead to rectal bleeding. Do not give your dog access to bones (put a lid on your garbage can), and keep your floors as clean as possible. Watch your dog closely when you take him out on walks---do not let him eat food or other matter he finds on the ground.

3

Change your dog's diet. Constipation can stem from your dog's diet. Do not feed your dog table scraps or other human food, which can lead to constipation. To help with canine constipation, mix canned pumpkin, bran or dried beans into your dog's food. These foods are rich in fiber and will help ease your dog's constipation. Keep mixing in high-fiber foods until your dog's constipation goes away.

Keep your dog hydrated. Encourage her to drink more water by taking her on one or two daily walks. More fluids will soften her stool and lessen the risk of constipation.

4

Empty your dog's anal sacs. Rectal bleeding may occur when a dog's anal sacs need to be emptied. The anal sacs are two small glands inside your dog's anus. Most dogs can empty these sacs on their own, but sometimes the sacs become impacted and uncomfortable. A dog will scoot his bottom across the ground to try to empty the sac's fluid.

To empty the sacs, hold a rag against your dog's anus and squeeze both sides of the anus. (See Resources for a picture on how to locate the sacs.) Wear a pair of rubber gloves, since the sacs often contain foul-smelling fluid. If the sacs are not emptied properly, an abscess may rupture on your dog's skin. If your dog has an abscessed anal sac, his vet should treat the abcess and provide antibiotics.