Hematochezia is the presence of bright red, fresh blood in the feces. Hematochezia usually occurs with bleeding in the lower
intestines (colon, rectum). Hematochezia should not be confused with
melena , which is the passage of dark, tarry, black feces. Melena represents the passage of old, digested blood that has occurred with bleeding higher up in the intestinal tract.
The presence of hematochezia may be a
symptom of either a minor problem, or a potentially more serious problem in the animal. One occurrence of hematochezia may be a minor and transient event. Repeated or persistent hematochezia is more serious and should not be ignored. There are several possible causes. The most common cause in
older pets is cancer and in younger pets are parasites. General causes include:
General Causes Infectious agents, such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and intestinal parasites
Dietary intolerance/allergy/indiscretion
Cancer (neoplasia) of the lower bowel
Polyps (benign masses) in the colon or rectum
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as colitis
Trauma to the lower bowel or anal area
Clotting disorders (coagulopathy)
Intussusception (the telescoping of one part of the bowel into another)
Miscellaneous diseases of the anus, rectum and colon
What to Watch For
Bright red blood in the feces
Possible straining to defecate
Increased number of bowel movements produced
Possibly no other clinical signs
Possibly other systemic signs of illness, such as excessive drinking, urinating, vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss
Diagnostic Tests
Rectal examination
Complete blood count (CBC)
Biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Fecal examination
Coagulation profile
Abdominal X-rays (radiographs)
Abdominal ultrasound
Colonoscopy
Treatment
There are several things your veterinarian might prescribe to treat your pet' symptoms. These include:
Changes in the animal's diet
Fluid therapy
Deworming medications for intestinal parasites
Antibiotics for bacterial infections
Motility modifying drugs that change the rate of movement of food through the intestines
Intestinal protectant/adsorbent drugs to coat, protect, and sooth the gastrointestinal tract
Home Care
At home administer any prescribed medications as directed by your veterinarian and follow any dietary recommendations closely.
You should also observe your pet's general activity and appetite, and watch closely for the presence of blood in the stool, or a worsening of signs. If any changes occur, notify your veterinarian.
