BLACK / TARRY STOOL (MELENA)
WHAT THIS SYMPTOM USUALLY MEANS
Black, tarry stool indicates digested blood — usually from bleeding in the stomach or upper intestines. This is much more serious than bright red blood.
MOST COMMON CAUSES
MILD CAUSES
• Rare — melena is almost always significant
MEDICAL CAUSES
• Stomach ulcers
• NSAID toxicity
• Steroid use
• Severe gastritis
• Foreign body
• Tumors
• Coagulation disorders
EMERGENCY CAUSES
• GI bleeding
• Ruptured ulcer
• Rodenticide poisoning
• Severe pancreatitis
RED FLAGS: WHEN THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
• Black/tarry stool
ALWAYS an emergency.
• Melena + vomiting
• Melena + pale gums
• Melena + collapse
• Melena + abdominal pain
AT-HOME CARE YOU CAN START NOW
Do NOT treat melena at home.
• Withhold food
• Offer water
• Seek emergency care
WHAT A VETERINARIAN WILL CHECK
• Bloodwork (anemia, organ function)
• Coagulation tests
• X-rays or ultrasound
• Ulcer evaluation
• Toxin exposure
• Blood pressure
MOST LIKELY DIAGNOSES
• Ulcers
• NSAID toxicity
• GI tumor
• Severe gastritis
• Rodenticide toxicity
BREEDS OR AGES AT HIGHER RISK
• Senior pets
• Pets on NSAIDs
• Pets with chronic disease
WHEN YOU SHOULD SCHEDULE A VETERINARY VISIT
Immediately — melena is an emergency.
EXPECTED RECOVERY TIME
• Depends on cause: days–weeks
• Ulcers: 1–3 weeks
• Tumors: variable
HOW THIS SYMPTOM RELATES TO LONGEVITY
Melena is a marker of serious disease that significantly impacts lifespan — ulcers, tumors, organ dysfunction.
WHEN TO CONSIDER A LONGEVITY CONSULT
After stabilization, if chronic disease or cancer suspected.