What causes dogs to vomit blood?

Understanding Why Dogs Vomit Blood: Causes and What to Do

Seeing your dog vomit blood can be alarming. This symptom—called hematemesis—is never normal and always calls for a veterinarian's expertise. The appearance of the blood itself gives important clues: bright red streaks often point to bleeding from the mouth or esophagus, while dark clots (sometimes looking like coffee grounds) usually mean the problem is deeper in the stomach or intestines. Even small pink specks or foam shouldn't be ignored.

Common Reasons Dogs Vomit Blood

There are several potential causes for a dog to vomit blood. Some are more common than others, but all require professional evaluation. Here are the main culprits:

• Stomach ulcers or irritation: Prolonged vomiting, certain medications (like NSAIDs), or ingesting irritants can damage the stomach lining.
• Foreign objects: Swallowing bones, toys, or sharp items can injure the digestive tract.
• Poisons and toxins: Rat poison, household chemicals, and some plants cause internal bleeding if ingested.
• Parasitic or bacterial infections: Hookworms, Giardia, and bacteria can erode the gut lining.
• Clotting disorders: Diseases like hemophilia or exposure to rodenticides interfere with normal clotting.
• Severe inflammation: Conditions like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to bleeding.
• Trauma: Blunt force injuries may cause internal bleeding into the digestive tract.
• Viral infections: Parvovirus is notorious for causing bloody vomiting in puppies and unvaccinated dogs.
• Liver or kidney disease: These organs help regulate clotting; when they fail, bleeding risk rises.
• Cancer or tumors: Growths in the digestive system may bleed spontaneously.

The list is long because hematemesis is a symptom—not a diagnosis—and many health issues can trigger it.

Other Symptoms That May Accompany Vomiting Blood

If your dog vomits blood, you might also notice signs like lethargy, pale gums (which could mean shock), diarrhea (sometimes black and tarry), weakness, dehydration, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or even collapse. Even if your dog seems otherwise fine after vomiting blood once, don't wait—call your vet right away.

Coughing Up Blood Versus Vomiting Blood

Coughing up blood isn't the same as vomiting it. Coughing usually comes with neck extension and a honking sound; vomiting involves abdominal heaving. Coughing up blood generally points to respiratory issues rather than digestive ones.

If Your Dog Vomits Blood: What To Do Immediately

• Contact your veterinarian right away, no matter how much blood you see.
• Avoid giving food or water, unless your vet tells you otherwise—it could worsen things or obscure diagnosis.
• If possible, take photos and save samples of the vomit for your vet to examine.
• Watch for worsening symptoms: ongoing vomiting, large amounts of blood, weakness, pale gums, pain, collapse—all are emergencies.
• Keep your dog calm and safe; prepare for transport to the clinic as soon as possible.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Process

Your vet will start with a physical exam and ask about recent history: what your dog ate recently, any known toxin exposures, medications given at home. They may recommend tests such as:

• Bood work (to check organ function and clotting)
• Fecal testing (for parasites)
• X-rays or ultrasound imaging
• Bacterial/viral screening
• An endoscopy if foreign bodies are suspected

The goal is to pinpoint what's causing the bleeding so treatment can begin right away.

Treatment Options for Dogs Vomiting Blood

Treatment depends on both cause and severity. Your vet might use one or more of these approaches:

• IV fluids/electrolytes: To prevent dehydration from ongoing vomiting or blood loss.
• Nausea medications/antacids: To control symptoms and allow healing of irritated tissues.
• Treating infections/parasites:

Bacterial antibiotics or dewormers as needed.