Hi, I have six year-old standard Poodle who has had black/very dark brown poo for the last three or four days. It was black on Saturday. Would have said more v dark brown now. I was worried about it and called the emergency vet. He says keep an eye on him and if anything else happens bring him in. He's not particularly under the weather. His appetite is fine - he's eating lots. He was a little bit sick on Saturday evening but ate later and seems fine. No more sickness. He's not losing wieght - in fact has gained a couple of kilo's as he sometimes does over the winter. 

I also noticed that he's got a white, totally colourless growth on his back. I wasn't overly concerned about this as it's not pussie or seeming to cause him any discomfort. Can anyone advise on this. Should I be concerned?

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head to do with dark poop is Addisons, but I've only known dogs be poorly with it, lethargic, sick, general unwellness. So I don't think this is the case. Has he eaten something maybe?

Well that was my first thought - I had given him liver (cooked) about Thursday. When it started I thought it was that. But that shouldv'e passed through his system.

He does scavenge though so in theory could be that but again would have gone through his system. Haven't changed his food or given him anything new. Was slightly lethargic yesterday but raring to go today. Perhaps I shouldn't be worrying. It's just odd. Can worms have that effect. Forgive me if that's a silly question. Just not at all sure what it could be and a bit disconcerted.

Dark colouring can sometimes mean blood in the stools.

>I had given him liver (cooked) about Thursday. When it started I thought it was that. But that shouldv'e passed through his system.

Liver's very rich for the digestive system so should only be given in very small amounts, otherwise the runs are almost guaranteed. It could be the iron in the liver that's caused the black stools - iron tablets do the same to me. ;-) How much did you give him?

Ah maybe it could be the liver then. Did give him a fair bit with rice. Could that be it even after a few days? He didn't have runny tummy, just thes black poos. I'd be very relieved if I thought it was the liver

Liver is known to do this if given in large quantities like JG said it is to do with the iron content

Well won't be giving him that again. But I'd certainly rather think it's a bit of digestive discomfort rather than the alternatives. You've reassured me anyway so thank you for that.

What colour are his gums?  Are they a healthy pink or pale?
I ask as I had a dog that occasionally got anemic when he passed black stools which was due to a bleed in his stomach.

Actually I think his gums may be a touch pale. What caused yor dog to bleed? And did he seem unwell at the sa$e time? My boy seems quite ok within himself. He was a bit subdued yesterday but seems fine today

irritability within the stomach or bowl can cause a small bleed

Is it anything to be worried about or will it heal up of it's own accord?

Take your dog straight to the vet. I had a bitch that had this happen some years ago & it was not good news

Lexy did  yor dog seem  otherwise well? He doesn't show sigbs of being ill

It can be a sign of blood in the stools.  One of my dogs had a stomach bleed and sicked up alot of blood so I was told to look out for the colour when she went for a poo.  She was off colour though and obviously after sicking up a pool of blood was under the vets for treatment - she is fine now.

We had another dog with dark/tarry stools for a while and this as Lexy has said turned out not so good news.

I would take your dog back to the vets if this continues for more than a day or two.

No she showed no signs other than having pale gums, I would deffinately take your dog to the vets today as it's now the 4th day.

The commonest thing if they are well is what they have been feed, liver, hearts, will give them dark poo. sometimes swollowing bones can cause a small bleed that makes the poo dark, or bright red if they pass the bit of bone most clears up itself. You know your dog so you would know if it was not quite wright.
I remember once paniking when I was potty training the children, to see red poo and paniked, not thinking they had been eating beetroot, that I had cooked the day before LOL

Denese

Having re read your original post this looks like it has been nearer a week & the vet hasn't actually seen the dog. Please for your own peace of mind take the dog to the vet today. As I said in my earlier post my dog showed no signs other than the pale gums, she was eating well & was otherwise well.

lexy have spoken to vet and also took him there yesterday when I got his worm tablet. They saw him when they weighed him for his tablet. They didn't seem to be concerned about it. I began posting here before I got to see them. I was a bit reassured by that but was still worrying because it's obviously odd. If it continues I will take him back again - won't be happy if it goes on much longer - he's been wormed now and I'd want to see his stool colour go back to normal in the next day or two or I'll go back with him.

My dog in the beginning was quite well apart from very pale gums a blood test revealed he was anemic.(sp)
I would get him checked out at the vets if he is still pale tomorrow and ask for ablood test to see if he could be anemic.

Any news on your dog??