Liquid brownish/ reddish bloody stool
 

Hi everyone,

I always hate asking these questions, as I know the most obvious answer is "go to the vet", but when the looming vet quote is at $1000+, I always want to ask fellow yorkie owners advice first.

My Winston is 7 years old this year, not fixed. Last night I noticed that he seemed anxious in bed, sitting up a lot, and not sleeping. clearly uncomfortable.

This morning he went to the bathroom, and his stool was one semi solid piece, surrounded by a liquid brownish/ reddish bloody substance. I got him back in the house and cleaned off his bottom, and noticed that it smelled VERY bad. worse than normal when it comes to diarrhea.

I obviously went into panic mode, called the vet, who referred me to the ER vet. The ER vet said they would like to do an exam, blood work and xrays, and then hospitalize him at least overnight. All told, looking at over a thousand dollars right out the gate.

The "likely" diagnosis that the ER vet tossed out was Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

He was eating and drinking water just like normal last night, and when we came back in from going potty this morning, he was rolling around on the couch to get the wet grass off him, normal behavior for him. He seemed a bit more subdued than normal, but generally speaking, he was acting ok.

I'm just torn. I DO have a vet appt on Monday morning at 9:30am to get normal blood-work done that will test for HGE. However, the ER vet told me that she's seen several small dogs this year die within hours of being diagnosed with HGE. (I will also add, that the odds of a bacterial infection would NOT surprise me, as my dog often finds a way to get into the catbox and eat cat stool. I know Yorkie owners are NOT new to this disgusting behavior!)

Should I keep an eye on him and wait for my Monday morning vet appt? If things get worse over the weekend, take him to the ER?

I know that internal bleeding can likely be SO many things, and this question isn't always easily answered on the internet, but I also know that vets are expensive, and often times, unnecessarily so.

Any advice or thoughts on this would be GREATLY appreciated!

Personally I would go to the vet if I saw any more bloody diarrhea.

going to the vet tomorrow morning at 9am.

Is there anything I can do for him this evening for an upset tummy? some people have said chicken and rice?

My thoughts: I realize money is an issue but if your pup starts with gross bleeding from his rectum, what will you do? That is a very real possibility with HGE. Personally, I would take him to a vet immediately and get the right blood work done now. I would not wait another day. It is cheaper to go to a regular vet than to the EC at night. If you call the vet and say he is having bleeding, they will fit you in today.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I agree. See if the regular vet will see him on an emergency basis TODAY. If not, I would take him to the emergency vet ASAP. Bloody stool isn't something that can wait.

HGE is an emergency and can become fatal very fast. Please go to the vet. Your dog needs to be seen by a vet a.s.a.p. A small dog can go into shock and become dehydrated so fast !! It is manageable with the right medications. The diarrhea has to be stopped NOW and rehydration NOW. Please don't wait !!

Your pup needs to see a vet today . . . and I would also start working on finding another vet's office that is willing to fit you in when things like this arise. You should not have to go to the ER during your vet's regular hours.

Keeping your little guy in my thoughts.

Found a vet to take us in two hours. Thank you everyone for stressing the urgency here. Keep him in your thoughts. ❤️

Sending positive thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted !! Halo had what was thought to be HGE last summer, SQ fluids and meds got her over this within a day. This has happened once since, it's terribly scary and I keep emergency meds here "just in case" at all times. Winston could have gotten into something he shouldn't have, Yorkies are sneaky. Good luck !!

Hope that all goes well. Please keep us posted. Praying for your boy.

Please know that if you are concerned about HGE then make sure the vet does a blood count and packed cell volume as that is how it is diagnosed. I am hoping it is just a case of stomach woes or colitis. Meds should turn the dog around fast if that is his problem.

I am very happy to hear you found a vet to see today. Keeping you both in my prayers.

My Gina died from HG. She spent 5 days in the hospital with blood transfusions every day and it cost $5000. I would NOT delay treatment if this is suspected. We loved her so much and feel such guilt that we didn't recognize the symptoms sooner.

I'm so sorry Cherie for your loss of Gina. Many owners that don't realize the emergency of HGE or the importance of seeing a vet immediately wait to get their dog's treated. I've seen this happen so many times at the animal hospital. Any time there is blood in the stool, it's a critical situation. HGE can be sudden and fatal without treatment a.s.a.p. This can be managed if it's caught right away and treated. You didn't know, don't beat yourself up. If I hadn't seen this at work, I wouldn't have known either.

I had noticed that her stool was dark but I had no idea it was old blood. I kept changing her food because she didn't seemed interested in eating. So I thought the change in color was due to changing foods. She had never been away from us for 11 years and her last 5 days was in the hospital. This broke our hearts.