Dog Vomiting Blood and Mucus but Acting Normal – Top 3 Reasons Why

If you haven’t already done so, seeking veterinary care is the first immediate step if you ever see specks of blood and mucus and in the dog’s vomit. Hematemesis is the medical term for vomiting blood. It can happen with dogs for the following reasons.

1. Affected by internal parasites

Dogs can be affected by a number of internal parasites including roundworms, heartworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Some of these parasites are known to cause bloody vomits in dogs. Hookworms, for example, may cause internal bleeding by damaging the lining of the dog’s intestinal tract.

The symptoms associated with intestinal parasites aren’t always fast developing, hence why your dog might be acting normal despite throwing up blood and mucus.

2. Damage from stomach ulcers

Stomach ulcers are another common reason for dogs that throw up blood and mucus. Stomach ulcers develop when the stomach acid erodes the lining of the stomach. This can happen when there is excess acid in the dog’s stomach. Common causes of stomach ulcers include Gastrinoma, ingestion of toxins, irritable bowel syndrome, and excess of heavy exercise.

In addition to the blood and mucus, dogs that are affected by stomach ulcers may also throw up materials that resemble the appearance of coffee grounds. This would typically be blood clots and would indicate the dog has been suffering from stomach ulcer for a while.

3. Injury in the throat or mouth

If the dog is throwing up bright red blood and mucus, it may indicate that something is wrong in the dog’s mouth, throat, or esophagus. For example, there might be a physical injury to the dog’s throat after he ate something he shouldn’t have, such as eating a plastic toy.

It could also be something a lot worse such as a bleeding tumor in the dog’s esophagus. The discomfort of the bleeding tumor may result in nausea and lethargy which, in turn, may cause dogs to vomit more excessively.

What to do if your dog throws up blood and mucus

You should have your dog seen by the vet straight away, even if your dog is acting normal. Some symptoms may not materialize until a few hours or even a few days after a dog is affected by a medical condition. Try to take a clear photo fo the dog’s vomit so that it is easier for the vet to diagnose at the clinic.