my dog's been having diarrhea with some blood in it since last night. He's still eating and drinking okay, but should I be worried or take him to the vet right away? Any advice would be great, thanks!

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear your dog's not feeling great. It's good that he's still eating and drinking but blood in the stool can sometimes be a sign to watch closely. Here's what you should keep an eye on:

• Check their energy levels. If your dog seems lethargic or unusually tired, it's worth being more concerned.
• Monitor for any vomiting or additional diarrhea, especially if it's frequent or excessive.
• Look for signs of dehydration like dry gums or if your dog isn't peeing as much.

A little bit of blood might be caused by something minor like straining or a sudden diet change. But if it continues, gets worse, or if your dog shows any of the above symptoms, it's important to get them checked out soon.

At home, you can try feeding your dog a bland diet for 24-48 hours: boiled chicken and rice is usually gentle on the tummy. Make sure he has access to fresh water at all times. However, avoid giving any human medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen because they can be toxic.

Definitely contact a vet if:

• The diarrhea persists for more than 24-48 hours.
• There's a large amount of blood or dark, tarry stools (this can indicate internal bleeding).
• Your dog is vomiting persistently, not drinking, or becomes very lethargic.
• There's a known ingestion of something toxic (like chocolate, grapes, etc.).

If you're unsure or your pet’s symptoms worsen, it's best to book a call with a vet on Dial A Vet for professional advice.