Bloody dog diarrhea with what looks like strawberry seeds?

This is the boxer with digestion issues. I really can’t afford to take him back to the vet or to a different vet right now. Already spent over $500 in 3 weeks on this dog alone. He had a fecal that tested positive on 9-9 for hooks and whips. He was de-wormed then with PPM-2 and treated with Flagyl. on 9-18 he was de-wormed again with drontal and treated with another course of flagyl. On 9-29 his fecal showed neg for worms and he was given Baytril and prednisone which he is still taking. He had a solid poop for about 2 days although it seemed to have a stringy consistency on the Baytril. Now it is bloody (looks like all blood) with what looks like strawberry seeds. Is that tape worms? It looks awful small for tapes, is it undigested rice? (he is eating rice and chicken only). He’s still happy, eating and drinking well, pink gums. Any ideas?

I just fed him and he has a ravenous appetite!

Tiny blood clots?

Tape worms are shed in segments that, yes, look just like rice.

The blood would concern me more.

that level of hook and whip can be notoriously difficult to get rid of. They can be very drug resistant. Hooks are the ones most likely to cause bloody and mucoid stools. Hooks thrive in the soil and many dogs re-infest themselves from their own home environment. If you have been frequenting a dog park I would change that habit.

it may take several rounds of dewormer along with support for colitis to get rid of these

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This is smaller than rice. It’s really only little white specks in blood. Literally the size of a strawberry seed. I know the blood is concerning but I’m trying all I can within reason, but its been going on this long and his energy attitude or general health (other than the blood and diarrhea) doesn’t seem to be getting any worse so I trying to wait and see if the drugs he is on now will eventually make a difference. Just trying to figure out if I should try worming him with something from the feed store in the mean time.

Tape worms look amazingly like little strawberry seeds. Ask me how I know. :frowning:

The blood is something else entirely. I would hold off on any new dewormer. Will your vet do an over the phone consult?

I will try calling them so far they have been pretty arrogant about the whole ordeal. I feel so bad for the poor doggie I wish he could just tell me whats wrong

Don’t give him any more dewormers or medicine and continue with the bland diet of boiled rice and chicken. I suggest a different vet ASAP if this current one is not concerned about bloody stool.

I agree with Guin, and that bloody stool is very scary. It could have a bunch of causes, and the exact cause needs to be diagnosed. You need another vet right now.

I think you are hitting that “difficult decision” point.

I think we are all reading this and thinking…wow…could be just about anything. With luck…it’s just a drug-resistant worm issue. But I don’t think anyone (your current vet included) is going to really be able to give you treament advice at this point without further diagnostics. Because if we are wrong…your dog is going to die, and it won’t be an easy, painless death.

At this point, I think you need to consider your budget, and either go in for another vet consult, or find a new vet and explain your financial issues.

I know it sounds like a lot to put out $500…but really, that is not a lot to dx and treat a significant/complex issue…or, in comparison, to treat a serious injury…my first dog had two surgeries (several years apart), on the same knee…totaling about $6,000. Sometimes we are in a position to pay that kind of money, and sometimes we are not.

If you are not - tell your vet! They may have options! They may know of rescue organizations that can help. But if not, the kindest thing you can do is to give your dog a gentle ending, not a painful one. :frowning: I know this is not what you want to hear. :frowning:

This dog needs more diagnostics at this point, and potentially more treatment. If you can’t afford to do this, it is not your fault. But you have to be the one to make the right choice for the dog.

He’s still taking his meds, he’s not even through treatment. He’s happy, bright and not apparently suffering, right?

I say at least let the vet know the results you’re getting with this treatment. I’m NOT A VET so I’m of two minds, finish his treatment as prescribed or call the vet and see if treatment should be stopped. If you weren’t watching his every poop would you be as concerned? Prednisone should stimulate his appetite; are you sure that he’s not getting into something else to eat that could be upsetting the program? I’d have him nearly in a kennel situation until you resolved this if he were mine (as I mentioned in the other post about him) and that will help control what he’s eating definitively.

And-bright red blood? Or dark poo? Picture of the poo? If his system is changing with the dewormer and treatment I wouldn’t be super surprised to see changes (baby humans look like they’ve crapped out little worms the first time they eat bananas) but if he has bright red blood like he has an injury that’s bad.

Those are my ideas… again, not a vet though I’m very much understanding of the financial concerns and I’m sure total frustration you’re going through trying to get him better. :frowning:

I think if he is still presenting well you need to give the Baytril more time. My dog’s diarrhea was never visually bloody, but we just started WEEK FIVE of Baytril, and only in the past week have we started seeing real results. If it is indeed histiocytic ulcerative colitis it requires a long course of Baytril. Please don’t give up on him.

[QUOTE=Guin;7796489]
I suggest a different vet ASAP if this current one is not concerned about bloody stool.[/QUOTE]

The good news is there are 15 million reasons (ok a bit of an exaggeration) for bloody stool in a dog of which are generally not life threatening and can ever be self limiting.

Bad news is there are still 15 million reasons for bloody stool.

Add in to it that dogs(in general) with colitis can have the downfall of producing occasional seemingly profuse frank blood…eh…not that exciting although can be quite worrying if you have never seen that shade of blood coming out of your dog’s hind end. lol

And to the OP, I hope your guys feels better soon and you get his digestive issues worked out. I know it can be quite frustrating. :slight_smile:

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When I’m not sure if I need to take my dog to the vet yet, I make a log for her. I take her temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and capillary refill time a few times a day in addition to tracking any of her issues (vomiting frequency & consistency, gum color, etc). It helps me to keep track of changes in her condition & helps me decide when it’s necessary to get an expert’s input on her health.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take my dog right in if she were having bloody diarrhea like that, though. I know you’ve spent other money at the vet recently but sometimes taking good care of your pets is expensive. Having chronic diarrhea is different from pooing straight blood! Have you checked into any Boxer rescues around that might be able to take her in?

I agree with giving the treatment time to work. If anything I’d put a call into the vet that prescribed the current treatment & let them know what your seeing, what’s going on.

How is your dog doing?