What this means
The colour of the blood in the vomit says something about where it came from. Bright red blood usually points to fresh bleeding close to the mouth or gullet, while dark, coffee-ground material is blood that has been in the stomach for a while. But colour cannot replace an examination: sometimes a dog swallows blood from a mouth wound or a nosebleed, and then the stomach is not the source at all.
It is worth noticing more than the blood itself. Did your dog vomit several times beforehand, or did the vomiting start suddenly with blood? Are the stools black? Are there bruises or tiny red dots on the gums or skin? These details help the vet work out whether the problem lies in the digestive tract or in the way the blood clots.
If you can, photograph the vomit and note when your dog last ate and what it might have swallowed. That gives the vet more to work with than a spoken description.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Damage to the stomach or bowel lining
Inflammation or erosions in the stomach or bowel lining can bleed. Your dog may also be dull, eat poorly and keep vomiting.
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Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas commonly shows as vomiting and belly pain. Sometimes blood appears in the vomit, especially if the digestive tract is irritated more severely.
About the condition: Pancreatitis -
Stomach bloat and twist
This is an emergency in which the stomach swells. The dog tries to vomit but brings up almost nothing, and the belly looks swollen.
About the condition: Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) -
A blood clotting disorder
Some inherited or acquired disorders make the blood clot less well. Your dog may then bleed from several places, such as the nose, gums or in the urine.
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Swallowed objects or poisons
Sharp objects can damage the lining, and some substances interfere with blood clotting. If you suspect your dog swallowed something, tell the vet.
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Blood from the mouth or nose
A dog can swallow blood from damaged gums, a mouth wound or a nosebleed and then vomit it up. This needs checking, because the true source is not always obvious.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- What colour the blood is: bright red or dark like coffee grounds
- How many times your dog vomited and how much blood there was
- Whether the stools are black or contain blood
- Whether your dog is drinking and whether vomiting returns after drinking
- Whether the belly looks swollen or seems painful
- Whether there are bruises or red dots on the gums or skin
- What your dog may have swallowed and when it last ate
When to book a routine visit
If you see even a small amount of blood in the vomit, contact a vet the same day, even if your dog seems bright. Bring a photo of the vomit and details of what your dog has eaten and any medicines it has had.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) Digestion and liver This is a condition in which the stomach fills with gas and can twist around on itself, pinching off its blood vessels and cutting off circulation. It develops very quickly and is life-threatening, so the dog needs a vet immediately. Large, deep-chested dogs are known to be at risk, so it is worth noting the number of the nearest emergency clinic in advance.
- Pancreatitis Digestion and liver Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, in which digestive enzymes become active too early and start to irritate the pancreas itself and the tissue around it. It can come on suddenly or smoulder for a long time with repeated flare-ups, and in more severe cases it affects other organs too. The causes vary, so working out what is going on with a particular dog is a job for the vet.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Digestion and liver This is a long-term disorder of the digestive tract in which inflammatory cells build up in the wall of the stomach or intestine, so it becomes less able to digest food and absorb nutrients. The exact cause is not fully understood; an interplay between the immune system, gut bacteria and food is thought to play a part. Because many other digestive problems look much the same, a vet works out what is really going on with tests.
- Thrombocytopathy Blood and immunity Thrombocytopathy is a blood clotting disorder in which the blood has enough platelets but they do not work as they should, so bleeding is slow to stop. It can be inherited or arise from another illness or certain drugs. In such a dog even a small wound or a veterinary procedure can lead to prolonged bleeding, so it is worth telling the vet about it beforehand.
- Von Willebrand disease Blood and immunity Von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the body lacks a protein that helps platelets stick together and plug a damaged blood vessel, or the protein doesn't work properly. As a result even a small wound can bleed for longer than normal, and the disease varies in severity, sometimes only coming to light after an injury or a procedure. Genetic tests exist for some forms.
Body systems: Digestion and liver Blood and immunity