{"id":8544,"date":"2021-04-13T23:00:07","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T23:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=8544"},"modified":"2021-04-13T23:00:07","modified_gmt":"2021-04-13T23:00:07","slug":"what-are-the-causes-of-black-dog-poop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=8544","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Causes of Black Dog Poop?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

The post What Are the Causes of Black Dog Poop?<\/a> by Jennifer Lesser<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n

When it comes to your pet\u2019s health, sometimes the proof is in the poop. Most pet parents will schedule a visit with the veterinarian if their pet\u2019s droppings suddenly change size or consistency. But what about when your dog\u2019s poop suddenly turns an unusual color, like black? Is black dog poop normal or a cause for concern?<\/p>\n

Why Black Dog Poop Happens<\/h3>\n
\"A<\/p>\n

What might cause black dog poop? Photography \u00a9 winyoo08 | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cA normal stool for a dog should be firm and dark brown in color \u2026 and the color of the stool should be fairly consistent from day to day, providing the dog eats a regular diet,\u201d explains Dr. Dawn M. Spangler, assistant professor of shelter medicine at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine<\/a> in Tennessee.<\/p>\n

Though it\u2019s a relatively rare occurrence, when the color of your pet\u2019s poop suddenly takes on a black, tarry appearance, it can actually point to a number of digestive conditions. According to Dr. Ramon Nieves, owner of Del Mar Veterinary Hospital<\/a> in Florida, that tarry black dog poop is known as melena, and is typically a result of digested blood in your dog’s poop<\/a>. Though it\u2019s not actually a condition itself, melena is a symptom of some other underlying health issue, such as a blood clotting disorder or an ulcer.<\/p>\n

\u201cA common complaint by pet owners is that they\u2019ve spotted some blood in their pet\u2019s stool, and as veterinarians we can pinpoint where the bleeding is occurring in the GI tract based upon the color they describe \u2026 whether it\u2019s dark or bright red, or even black,\u201d Dr. Nieves explains. He notes that black dog poop typically occurs as a result of bleeding in the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract; the dark color and tarry consistency of the feces signifies the digestion of blood as it has passed through the intestinal tract. It may also occur if your dog has ingested a significant amount of blood from the respiratory tract \u2014 such as if he\u2019s been coughing and swallowing blood from his lungs, or even if he\u2019s had a nosebleed.<\/p>\n

So, Why Is Black Dog Poop … Black?<\/h3>\n

Whatever the cause, black or tarry stools indicate that there is bleeding in the stomach or small intestine of the dog, Dr. Spangler confirms. \u201cThe stool is black because the blood has been digested, causing it to change color,\u201d she says. The causes of melena vary widely, and can mean anything from exposure to toxins or a foreign body in the gastrointestinal system to pancreatitis<\/a> and kidney failure. \u201cA few of the more common causes of black dog poop are cancer<\/a>, foreign bodies, parasites, and viral or bacterial pathogens,\u201d Dr. Spangler adds.<\/p>\n

What to Do About Black Dog Poop<\/h3>\n

That\u2019s why if you notice black dog poop \u2014 or you suspect that your dog is experiencing any sort of gastrointestinal upset \u2014 call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms such as your dog refusing his food or water for more than 24 hours \u2014 or if he or she is experiencing persistent vomiting<\/a> or diarrhea<\/a> \u2014 are always a cause for concern, Dr. Spangler notes. \u201cDogs can quickly become dehydrated<\/a>, so it\u2019s better to see a veterinarian sooner rather than later to get them the care and treatment they need,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Pet owners should also tune in to their dog\u2019s overall behavior, such as if your normally perky pooch is suddenly spending the entire day on the sofa. \u201cAnother symptom to notice is if you pick up your pet and they whine<\/a> or cry<\/a> \u2026 dogs and cats get stomach cramps and pains just like we do when something isn\u2019t right,\u201d Nieves says.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve discovered that your pet\u2019s droppings have turned from their usual brown to black, Spangler explains that your pet\u2019s veterinarian may check your dog\u2019s stool samples for intestinal parasites, assess abdominal x-rays, and run blood work to help determine the definitive cause of the black color in your dog’s poop. \u201cTreatment will depend upon the diagnosis,\u201d she says, \u201cbut could include things such as anti-parasitics, antibiotics, antacids or anti-nausea drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tell us:<\/strong> Has your dog ever experienced black poop? What was causing that black dog poop?<\/p>\n

Thumbnail:\u00a0Photography \u00a9 DieterMeyrl | iStock \/ Getty Images Plus.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more about dog poop on Dogster.com:<\/h3>\n