red in stool

[SimonsMom]

Firstly, Simon is acting completely normal. He's eating, playing, has good gum color, there is no sign the dog isn't well and I never would have thought he was if not for our walk yesterday.

He went potty on the walk and since it was right there I looked at it. The first bii twas normal, then it got not liquid runny, but paste-like runny and green, and the last bit was a little bit of what looked like mucus, except it was reddish. He also rubbed his bottom a little after he went. So I followed him this morning and it looked like that again. It's not straight blood or I'd already have taken him in, but it certainly looks like blood is causing the color and not something he ate.

He's not going more than usual, it's not all runny, his appetite is as ravenous as ever, there's nothing outwardly saying he's not well except this, but it's worrying me. I can't even say how long it's been going on since he doesn't often go to the bathroom on walks and he just goes out in the pasture. Could it be caused by worms? I have heard that if you can see a dog's third eyelid, it can indicate intestinal problems (I got that from a vet tech, but had never heard it before) and I can see his third eyelid, but he does have oddly shaped eyes.

I'm thinking I'll call the vet, but Simon won't let him examine him without tranquilizers- and I'd like a muzzle, just in case- because he's so nervous about people still. Anyone know what it could be? Should I be taking him to emergency instead of making an appointment?

[Bclover92]

I would make a appointment as soon as you can and bring in a stool sample.

[Dauxside]

Yes, just to be safe do take him to vet, and if you can get samples of the mucus/bloody color stool. It may be nothing more than upset bowel or something along those lines, yet best safe.

Let us know.

[Cearbhaill]

Usually bright red like that is caused by the lower intestine being irritated by something- diarrhea, bits of foreign objects, lower intestinal disease like something protozoan (giardia, coccidia), or possibly even a bad case of worms. There's not the need to panic and run to an ER like there is if it was a dark red or the "coffee grounds" look from further up in his intestinal tract.
Is he prone to colitis or any other bowel disorders? When was his last exam and fecal? Is he on any meds? Is he know to eat odd things and does he have access to them? When you say pasture is it somewhere that is used by livestock?

At the very least I would take a stool sample in today- they can tell a lot from that. I would rather see a full blown checkup, though. But a stool sample for sure.

I would try and observe every poo, too. You can miss a lot if you don't.

[SimonsMom]

He's on no meds and has a clean medical history. He is around livestock (horses), but I'm leaning toward worms. I just dewormed the cat and I know he and the other dog hae gotten into the cat poo in the yard. He doesn't eat odd stuff- he's fond of vegetables but he's not one of those dogs that goes and eats everything.

I talked to our vet and he said he can't take him until next week, but to come pick up some dewormer anyway to see if that clears it up. I'm just about to run out and get it.
Thank you guys for replying!

[EmmaGirl]

I think a vet appointment is your best bet. Still bring in a fecal sample even if the stools are back to a normal appearance.