So, in attempting to slowly switch to a raw diet, as my dogs digestive system seems pretty touchy, I've been still mostly feeding kibble, but replacing one of his meals every other day with a chicken wing or leg, holding it, allowing him to chew it. It went well for about a week, no problems.

Then I gave him a slightly larger portion, to include part of the chicken back, and again, he chewed it pretty well. The next day he started with watery diarrhea that turned suddenly to blood. Pure cranberry looking blood. I had just returned from working the night shift and decided to wait and see what happened. If he'd continued with profuse bleeding I would have taken him immediately to the vet.

But, the diarrhea lessened, and he went a good 5 hours without having to go out. There was only that one bout of real blood, and his loose stool did contain traces of blood and was still pretty soft, though not watery.

Today, 3 days later, it's starting to firm up a bit, though still very soft, and I haven't seen any blood today. I am about to embark on a long stretch of work starting this weekend, so I'm trying to decide if I should still take him to the vet, or assume it's getting better on it's own.

I'm very hesitant to even continue with the raw diet change after this has happened, as I do directly link it to the raw chicken (and could the little rib bones if not chewed cause some tearing of the intestines??) I've gone back to straight kibble with a little plain yogurt.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Some dog's digestive tracts WAAAYYY over-react to irritation, bleeding as a result.

This would warrant a trip to the vet, IMO, since you don't know exactly what happened. You don't want "it" to still be happening.

It could be a number of things. Irritation, illness, injury, etc.......

E.T.A. It does sound like he is getting better. I didn't want my post to worry you anymore than I'm sure you are. Still....vet.

I've been a "nervous parent" and have had so many trips to the vet that were really not warranted. They took my money with a smile, though! And I learned nothing and felt no better after the visit; was only poorer!!! That's why I'm trying to think before just reacting now! Thanks for the quick response! (That's a great pic, BTW!!!)

Take the freshest fecal sample possible along.

I completely understand about un-warranted vet trips.

If this was a condition that you knew about and had treated previously with the help of a vet, then I might think different about the vet trip. Since this is the first time, and you don't know what happened, or what is still happening, I have to recommend a vet trip.

This may look, and I don't doubt that it could be, diet related, but looks can be terribly deceiving.

Turbo does this, too. I was starting to think it was diet related. While documenting bloody diarrhea occurrences in relation to raw foods, I was able to establish a VERY solid stress connection.

Hard to believe, but he is so reactive to my mood that I can trigger this. It got so bad and so frequent for a few months that I almost rehomed him. Then I realized the connection and was able to work on my attitude.

New baby, my Grandma dying, Domino dying, work, money, all these things things happened within months of eachother, and got a little overwhelming.

I have been able to predict Turbo's last few bloody diarrhea occurrences down to a minimum of 24 hours out. Although the last one 12 hours out.

Instead of going back to kibble, can you find a local supplier of raw diets. There are quite a few to choose from. A little pricey, but it should only be temporary. I've used Bravo and Nature's Variety. These include very finely ground bone.

Mike

 Quote: michael_wise

Hard to believe, but he is so reactive to my mood that I can trigger this. It got so bad and so frequent for a few months that I almost rehomed him. Then I realized the connection and was able to work on my attitude.

This is a really good lesson for those of us who wonder why our dog may be acting up or not listening to us on any particular day. I too have noticed when I am stressed, Falcon is off. I've learned to look to myself when he is being a "butt" - although it might take a day to see it or accept it, our dogs definitely pick up on our signals; both subtle and obvious, and react accordingly.

Life is certainly stressful for many of us right now, and this is something we should all try to keep in the backs of our minds. Thanks Mike for the reminder.

Barbara I'm unemployed at the moment (like many) and stressed as all get out. I've taken to more crate time and acting like Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful the rest of the time.

 Quote: Tommy DeVito

Barbara I'm unemployed at the moment (like many) and stressed as all get out. I've taken to more crate time and acting like Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful the rest of the time.

I hope this won't make me look any more like a dork, but I haven't seen the movie yet so I'm in the dark!! Not the first time this has happened, I assure you.

Tommy, is acting like Roberto Benigni a good thing or should we be calling out the doggie social service??

Hang in there... this is a crazy, crazy time for lots of folks. Dogs are good stress relievers ya' know, so make time for more grooming and belly rubs (his, not yours!!).

Stephanie,

My dog had a little bloody stool when I first began switching him over to raw - which was only about 1.5 weeks ago!

What breed and how old is your dog?

Mine is a pup and was switched cold turkey. I've read that many times, trying to feed both kibble and raw - sometimes even at different times, can be a topsy turvy situation for a delicate stomach.

Yes it is a scary situation and I don't think anyone of us could "diagnose" without the help of a vet.

As Connie mentioned - stool sample to the vet.
As Mike mentioned - a vet visit.

I would always say - when in doubt - go to the vet.

In the long run I do believe that the raw diet is the way to go.