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Natalie

Hello, my pregnant dog (currently in labor) who I had a previous question about has now pooped, the poop was almost black, runny, there was also only a little and she struggled to get it out. I’ve read some concerning things about this online, is this call to immediately seek veterinarian help? Or is this just part of the labor and birthing process?

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Snickers
Dog, Unknown
4 years 11 months, Female
Issue details
Main concern
Diarrhea
Bloody or black
Daily
Duration
1 day(s)
Ongoing
Other issues
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
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Dr. Wilkins
Dr.Tail Vet

When you notice black, tarry stools in your dog, especially if accompanied by diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy, it could indicate a serious condition called melena. This condition often points to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Given that your dog is currently in labor, this situation is particularly concerning and requires immediate veterinary attention.

While some changes in stool can occur during labor due to stress or dietary changes, the presence of black, tarry stools is not typical and should not be overlooked. The combination of symptoms you're describing, including difficulty in passing stool and your dog's current state of labor, makes it crucial to seek professional veterinary care right away.

Please take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure both her safety and the safety of her puppies. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask. Thank you.

Natalie

Hello, and thank you for your response, we’re HEAVILY considering taking her in, it’s just hard to make the decision as we don’t have a lot of money but we will do that if necessary. I want to follow up about her poop, I went out into the yard to take a closer look at it, as I just watched it come out from a slight distance when it happened. It appears to actually be a mixture of light brown diarrhea, and black diarrhea, it also looked quite “mucus-y” just thought I’d give a more detailed description of the stool in case that changes anything. Thank you.

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