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Three Weeks of Black Stool, Diarrhea and Not Eating: Could It Be a Blockage?

by Barb

Reader Question
My dog has been sick for about 3 weeks. He was eating normally but had black tarry feces. I started to give him enzymes, he continued to eat his dog food and then had began to have diarrhea. I gave him a dewormer for 3 days and his feces, liquid like had strange looking objects in it. He is has now stopped eating all together but still drinking water but not enough. He has lost a lot of weight, has diarrhea, won't eat, is lethargic but still coherent, wags tail and is alert to what he hears around him. I continue to give him plant enzymes, vitamins, an over-the-counter diarrhea remedy, water in addition to what he will drink on his own and honey for low blood sugar. He will NOT eat anything. His breathing is heavy. He enjoys me massaging him all over and I cannot find a spot on him that hurts him. Could he have a blockage? I absolutely cannot afford to take him to a vet :-(


Answer from Our Team

We're sorry your dog is so unwell. A blockage is possible, but black, tarry stool can also be a sign of bleeding in the stomach or upper intestine, for example from an ulcer or a tumor. Three weeks of illness with weight loss, refusing all food, lethargy and heavy breathing are serious signs, and your dog needs to see a vet today.

Supplements, enzymes and over-the-counter products won't treat these problems and could delay the right care. Don't give more dewormer, and never give human pain medicines, which can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in dogs. Keep offering water, but don't force food or liquid if he's vomiting.

There are ways to get help when money is tight. Call local clinics and explain your budget, as many will examine a dog and discuss the most important tests first or offer a payment plan. Veterinary schools, humane societies and shelter clinics often charge less. Charity funds can sometimes help, so apply before treatment if you can, because some won't pay bills afterward.

See bowel obstruction in dogs and blood in dog stool.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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