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My Dog’s Poop Looks Like Red Jelly: Red vs Black (Melena) Blood – No Winner!

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It’s not a weird case for us to see visitors typing “My dog’s poop looks like red jelly” but by reading the information below its not uncommon for us to come such as “We never expected this shocker”!. Anyhoo, if you want to be gripped by this shock as well, find out exactly what is happening (with your dog’s poop) and discover what you have to do next.

The appearance of dog poop says something about what your dog has eaten, but it also tells the story about his health. Abnormal poop can indicate health problems. 

If you find blood or pink traces, sometimes mucous, on your dog’s stool, rest assured, this digestive symptom is not always serious even if it sometimes reveals a serious disease of the digestive tract.

It will be necessary, systematically and without dragging, to refer to your veterinarian so that he can examine your animal and determine the origin. He can then treat the cause as soon as possible and avoid complications.

It is therefore advisable to regularly check your dog’s excrement for color, blood traces, odor, and hardness. If you do pick up the poop with a poop bag, it is better to take a good look at it right away. Noticing intestinal bleeding in your dog is, in fact, not normal and this should alert you.

A normal dog turd is firm but not hard and dark brown in color. One-time diarrhea or a different color or smell is no cause for concern. But if this lasts longer or if your dog has additional complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, pain, weight loss, vomiting, or is lifeless, then that is certainly a reason for further investigation.

If you find yourself wondering how to react then you’re not alone buddy. What colors of bloody stool should alert you the most?

Does the presence of mucus on his droppings aggravate the situation?
Follow the advice and recommendations of our veterinarian in order to best treat your dog when he is affected by these digestive problems.

Color Wheel of Dog Poop: Meaning Behind Color

When a dog’s stool has different color compared to the color that the dog usually has with the food in question, this may indicate that the dog may have eaten something from the ‘street’.

It can also mean he has eaten a bad to an indigestible ingredient, or supplements if have had medication or possibly suffer from a disturbance in the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.). 

Green

When a dog eats grass or gets dirty rumen, dogs may get green stools. Dogs sometimes eat grass on their own, because they like it or because they need fiber-rich food. A dog cannot digest the grass itself. 

Most of it comes out in the stool. If your dog often eats a lot of grass, it may be advisable to regularly feed the dog dirty rumen food (eg. Farm Food Fresh Tripe & Heart Complete ) or to contact one of your dog nutritionists.

Yellow

When a dog has a yellow stool, this can indicate an inflammation or infection ( sometimes also in combination with a strong odor). It can also occur when eating dairy products or ingredients that are difficult to digest.

Other causes can be a lack of digestive juices or the breakdown of certain medications. If a dog suffers from yellowish loose stools for more than 48 hours, it is advisable to adjust the diet or to contact a nutritionist. 

If the complaints persist or are combined with a strong odor, dehydration symptoms, fever, etc., it is advisable to have the dog examined by a veterinarian. 

Brown

If the stool is brown with a bright red color in it, this may indicate blood in the stool. Usually, there is a hemorrhoid or possibly an inflammation / (parasitic) infection in the intestines. If blood is visible in the stool, it is advisable to contact the vet and if possible do a stool examination to trace the cause.

Gray

If the stool has a gray color, this may indicate an excessively high-fat content in the stool or possibly a lack of digestive juices, or a disturbance in the digestive system, especially the pancreas and/or gallbladder. 

Again, if this lasts longer than 48 hours, please contact a nutritionist and/or vet. 

White

When the stool is a white color, this often indicates that dogs are getting too many bones. It can even prevent the stool from calcifying. In this case, it is important to reduce the amount of chewing bones. If the white color persists, contact a nutritionist. 

Black

If the stool has a black color and the dog also shows symptoms of disease, this may indicate blood that has been in the intestines for a little longer, such as internal bleeding from the stomach. In this case, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian immediately. 

Summarized: Dog Poop Color That Looks Like Red Jelly

Color stoolCauseNutrition
Dark brownStool that has normally been in the (large) intestine for a long time and is caused by digestive juices + intestinal bacteriaOften high in protein or due to iron-containing ingredients or supplements
Light brownFeces that have been in the intestines for a shorter period of time and/or food that is not properly digestedOften high in non-digestible carbohydrates or due to dairy products
GreenThe stool has been in the intestines for a long time (especially the large intestine) and/or is poorly digestedOften when eating grasses / leafy vegetables or with a high content of probiotics in one go
YellowStool that has been in the intestines for a short time. Blockage of the common bile duct or inflammation of the liver/gallbladder or by breakdown of medicationDairy products or with poorly digestible carbohydrates
RedBlood trails. Can be caused by hemorrhoids, bleeding, or infection/inflammation
GrayBile or pancreatic problems. Fats are often not digested properlyWith too fatty food
WhiteCalcification of the stoolWith too many bones
BlackIngredients in the diet can indicate an internal (stomach) bleedingFoods containing dark-staining ingredients such as hemoglobin powder, ferrous ingredients or supplements
My Dog’s Poop Looks Like Red Jelly

Describing What The Color Of Dog Poop Might Mean

If a dog has blood in their stool, it usually means there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. More rarely, however, the blood can also come from the respiratory tract (e.g. after swallowing blood in the event of a nosebleed).

Depending on where the bleeding occurs, blood in the stool of dogs can appear in two different ways: as light or dark red blood, as bloody diarrhea ( hematochezia ), or as black, tarry stool ( melena ).

Red Blood vs. Black Blood

Black Blood In The Stool (Melena, Tarry Stool)

If the blood enters the digestive tract early on – eg in the mouth area, in the stomach, or in the early small intestine – the blood pigment hemoglobin is digested and changes its color as a result. The droppings then appear black and tarry, which is why one also speaks of tarry stool (melena).

However, bleeding later in the digestive tract can rarely and under certain circumstances lead to black discoloration of the stool: if the gastrointestinal passage in a dog is delayed (e.g. in the case of constipation ), the bacteria in the intestine have time to break down the hemoglobin. Even then, the stool turns black.

If the blood enters the digestive tract early (eg, in the case of a stomach ulcer), the affected dogs often also vomit blood. The blood in the vomit can be clearly recognizable as such, but it can also appear as brown-black, “coffee-ground-like” crumbs due to the digestive enzymes in the stomach.

Red Blood (Haematochezia) And Bloody Diarrhea

Fresh, red blood in the stool (or on the stool) indicates that the blood only reaches the stool towards the end of the digestive tract (i.e. in the large intestine or anus). 

The amount of blood can range from small deposits to considerable amounts. As a dog owner, you often only see a few red streaks on the feces. But bloody diarrhea is also not uncommon.

In rare cases, red blood in the stool can also come from earlier sections of the digestive tract if the passage time of the intestinal contents is shortened and there is not enough time to digest the blood (e.g. in parvovirus; a dangerous viral infection that mainly affects young and unvaccinated animals)

Bloody stools can occur in dogs together with diarrhea (then recognized as bloody diarrhea ), but this does not have to be the case.

Occult Blood In The Stool

Blood does not always have to be seen in the stool if there is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. If the blood comes out slowly (oozing) or if the amount is small, there may be no visible signs. Larger amounts of blood are required, especially for the stool to turn black, and these leak out within a short period of time.

If there is blood in the stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye, doctors speak of occult blood.

Symptoms That Accompany Blood In The Stool

Many dogs that have blood in their stool also show other symptoms, e.g

  • (Bloody) vomiting
  • (Bloody) diarrhea
  • Slimy droppings
  • Difficulty and pain in defecation (dyschezia, tenesmus)
  • No defecation/constipation
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • weakness
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • “Sledging” (sliding on the buttocks), licking/nibbling in the anal area
  • Swelling or bloody/purulent sores around the anus

What Causes Bloody Poop In Dogs?

Ultimately, there are – roughly speaking – three ways in which blood can get into the digestive tract and thus into the stool:

  • The blood comes from “outside” the gastrointestinal tract, ie from the respiratory tract (e.g. in the case of a nosebleed) or from the food (e.g. blood powder in the food).
  • There is a bleeding “wound” in the gastrointestinal tract. It does not have to be a “wound” in the classic sense; the mucous membrane can also be so attacked over larger areas that blood leaks out.
  • The dog suffers from a blood clotting disorder. The smallest injuries (like those that occur again and again anywhere in the body) cannot be closed quickly enough or at all so that bleeding occurs.

Blood in the stool in dogs is most often caused by an “injury” to the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract itself.

The absorption of blood from “outside” (food or respiratory tract) leads, if so, to black feces. In the case of a bleeding disorder, there are usually other clear symptoms, such as bruising, small bleeding in the skin and mucous membranes, bloody vomiting, nosebleeds or bloody urine.

Fresh Blood And Bloody Diarrhea In Dogs: Let’s Examine The Causes

An overview of possible causes of fresh blood in the stool in dogs (particularly important and frequent causes are shown in bold):

  • Diseases of the anal area
    • Anal sac inflammation or abscess
    • Perianal fistula (A condition characterized by bloody, deep sores/fistula tracts adjacent to the anus. The condition may appear similar to anal sac infection but is believed to be autoimmune and therefore treated differently. Perianal fistula is most common in German shepherds and German shepherd dogs half-breeds.)
    • Cancer ( anal sac carcinoma )
    • Injury (e.g. bite wound)
    • Perianal hernia (ie, tissue, such as the bowel or bladder, protrudes through a gap in the area adjacent to the anus, swelling is usually visible externally)
    • foreign body
  • diseases of the colon
    • Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS, formerly known as “Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis”, a condition with no known cause in which dogs usually have profuse bloody diarrhea and vomiting)
    • Inflammation of the large intestine (more specifically the colon; colitis)
      • IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, chronic inflammation of the bowel)
      • Food allergy/intolerance
      • Infectious (eg Clostridium perfringensCampylobacter spp. )
      • Idiopathic (i.e. without an identifiable cause)
      • stress-associated
      • Histiocytic ulcerative colitis (especially Boxer)
    • Parvovirus (infection with the parvovirus occurs primarily in young dogs/puppies and unvaccinated animals. The disease can be very severe and fatal.)
    • Parasites (e.g. whipworms, hookworms, coccidia)
    • Colon tumors (e.g. adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, leiomyoma/leiomyosarcoma, benign polyps)
    • Rectal prolapse (prolapse of the last piece of intestine from the anus)
    • Injury to the mucous membrane, e.g. by foreign bodies, fractured pelvis, clinical thermometer
    • Invagination of the bowel (ie one part of the bowel pushes lengthwise into another part)
  • blood clotting disorder

Other Limitation Options:

Depending on when the bleeding occurs and the nature of the stool, the most likely causes of blood in the stool can sometimes be further narrowed down.

If blood leaks from the anus independently of the defecation, anal sac diseases, injuries in the anal area and perianal fistula are the most likely causes of bloody feces in dogs.

If the stool is normally formed (i.e. not softer than usual), apart from the blood admixtures, this indicates that the cause lies at the very end of the intestinal tract (in the rectum or anus). Polyps, tumors, injuries and anal sac diseases are the most likely to be considered.

On the other hand, if a dog has soft stools or even bloody diarrhea, it is most likely to have an intestinal infection, such as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), and inflammation of the large intestine (colitis), parvovirus or worm infestation.

Red Or Pink Stools In Puppies And Dogs

The lower part of the intestine is more frequently affected here and the blood, little modified, retains a red or pink color. Anatomically, the lesions rather affect the descending colon, the rectum, and sometimes, also, the anus during anal or perianal diseases.

You’ll find this type of bleeding easier because it quite often covers the surface of the poop in a streak and the blood staining is more ambiguous.

In small quantities, these dark or light red marks are rather reassuring for your dog’s health because the associated digestive problems are more often benign

The rather strong odor that bloody stools can give off because bacterial fermentation is at work and digests the blood by releasing malodorous gases.

How Serious Is Phlegm Or Mucus In The Dog’s Poop

When your dog is in good health, it is not uncommon to see greasy or slimy marks on the surface of the droppings. The mucus produced by the intestine is a normal secretion that moistens and lubricates the walls to help the passage of excrement.

However, if there is a lot of it and if the colors of it are brighter, going from yellow to greenish, then it is not ideal for your dog because the more there is, the greater the digestive concern.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian quickly if you notice a lot of pink or bloody mucus production

Causes Of Black Poop (Melena)

Possible causes of black blood in the stool in dogs at a glance:

  • Gastrointestinal ulcer (see below), eg due to
    • Medication, especially painkillers/anti-inflammatories and cortisone preparations (and above all the combined administration of both classes of medication)
    • Ingestion of toxic or irritating substances (e.g. acid, bleach)
    • Great stress (e.g. after a shock, a serious illness or extreme physical exertion)
    • Hepatic insufficiency/failure
    • Kidney failure / renal insufficiency
    • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    • Addison syndrome (underactive adrenal glands)
    • Tumors (in the stomach or intestines, e.g. lymphoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, gastrinoma, but also elsewhere, e.g. mast cell tumor of the skin)
  • Inflammation of the stomach or intestines (gastritis or enteritis), e.g. acute gastritis, IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, chronic inflammation of the intestines)
  • Hookworm infestation
  • Benign polyps in the stomach or intestines
  • Infectious diseases, eg parvovirus, salmonellosis
  • Diseases in the mouth or throat area or in the esophagus (e.g. injury, inflammation, tumor)
  • Picking up a foreign body (e.g. sticks, household items, bone splinters)
  • Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS, formerly known as “Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis”, a condition with no known cause in which dogs usually have profuse bloody vomiting and diarrhea)
  • Stomach or bowel torsion or obstruction (volvulus or intussusception)
  • Intake of blood from outside the gastrointestinal tract
    • From the lining
    • From the respiratory tract (e.g. in the event of a nosebleed or pulmonary hemorrhage)
  • Blood clotting disorder (e.g. after ingestion of rat poison)

Peptic Ulcer

The most common cause of black blood in dog stool is a gastrointestinal ulcer. This often occurs when the protective layer of mucus on the gastric mucosa is disturbed. 

As a result, digestive secretions and hydrochloric acid, which otherwise serve to digest the food eaten, can reach the stomach wall – the stomach wall digests itself and an ulcer (ulcer) occurs. 

But increased hydrochloric acid production or a tumor that starts in the stomach or intestinal wall and breaks through the mucous membrane can also lead to the development of an ulcer.

Gastrointestinal ulcers in our dogs are often the result of certain medications

Above all, painkillers/anti-inflammatory drugs (so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as meloxicam, carprofen and robenacoxib, as well as cortisone preparations (glucocorticoids), such as dexamethasone or prednisolone, are known to be able to trigger gastrointestinal ulcers. 

However, it is particularly dangerous to give both classes of medication at the same time (i.e. a painkiller plus a cortisone preparation). Then it comes to ulcers particularly quickly. 

And human medicine painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol or diclofenac are particularly dangerous for dogs in this respect, among other things(and therefore should never be given without consulting a veterinarian).

However, a gastrointestinal ulcer can also be the result of other diseases, such as liver failure, kidney failure or what is known as Addison’s syndrome (underactive adrenal glands). In this case, the affected dogs usually show more or less clear symptoms.

And last but not least, various tumors can also lead to a stomach or intestinal ulcer and thus to black feces. The tumors can be located directly in the stomach or intestines and destroy the mucous membrane from “inside out”. 

On the other hand, tumors that are further away can also cause a gastrointestinal ulcer – eg a mast cell tumor of the skin. 

This leads to increased hydrochloric acid production, which can attack the gastric mucosa. Mast cell tumors are very difficult to recognize because they can look very different – ​​including a lipoma that is often dismissed as “harmless”.

Dogs with a gastrointestinal ulcer often also – or exclusively – show bloody vomiting. The blood can be clearly recognized as such. However, it is also possible for it to present as “coffee grounds-like”, brownish-black “crumbs” in the vomit.

Alert! Blood Isn’t Necessarily The Cause Of Black Feces!

Black stool does not always mean that there is blood in the stool. Dog food that contains a lot of meat, blood or iron can also darken the stool. Some medications, such as activated charcoal or bismuth, can also result in black color.

Foreign Body Injuring The Stomach Wall

A bone that is too big or sticky, socks, pieces of ball, keys, a piece of carpet, a rubber toy …
The list is not long enough to enumerate all the digestive foreign bodies that veterinarians have extirpated from the abdomen of your dogs!

Each of these swallowed objects is capable of irritating, piercing, blocking, and injuring the intestine by causing bleeding which will color the stool.

Often associated with a loss of form, anorexia, stomach pain, and a change in transit (constipation), this situation is an emergency justifying rapid care for your pet, whatever its age.

The Dog Ingested Anticoagulant

This poisoning is not uncommon in dogs who tend to eat everything.
An accessible bait containing mouse poison or rat poison is enough to cause a major hemostasis disorder which leads to internal bleeding (including the intestine).

Most of these poisons are effectively composed of anti-coagulants preventing the stop of the small bleedings of the organization. If the bleeding is in the digestive tract, black or red blood will be seen in the dog’s poo.

This hypothesis alone should encourage you to consult your veterinarian or the one on duty if you find blood in the stools of your dog or puppy.

It’s Time To Go To The Vet

If your dog has blood in the stool, black feces or suffers from bloody diarrhea, you should definitely consult a veterinarian (exception: the color comes from the food ingredients)!

Left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening blood loss or an ulcer rupturing in the abdomen (resulting in often fatal peritonitis and blood poisoning).

Diagnosing Bloody Diarrhea Or Blood In The Stool

As with every visit to the vet, there is a preliminary discussion at the beginning, during which the vet tries to find out as much as possible about your dog’s medical history:

  • Since when has your dog had blood in its stool? 
  • Does he have bloody diarrhea, is it blood deposits or black stool? 
  • Have you observed any other symptoms? 
  • Is your dog on medication?

This is followed by a thorough general examination, during which your veterinarian will check, among other things, whether your dog has stomach pains, whether there are any obvious injuries (especially in the mouth and in the anal region), and whether his mucous membranes are pale or whether he is dehydrated overall. 

Looking for lumps in the skin can also be important in finding mast cell tumors .

blood test (blood count and possibly also an examination of the organ values) is often carried out in order to check on the one hand how large the blood loss is (i.e. whether the dog is already suffering from anemia) and on the other hand whether there are any indications of the cause (e.g. increase of liver values).

Specific Blood Tests

The selection (and number) of further examinations depends on whether the cause of the blood in the stool is to be suspected in the front (black stool) or rear (red blood in the stool, bloody diarrhea) digestive tract, as is common with the dog walks and whether he suffers from other symptoms.

If there is fresh blood in the stool, a rectal exam (examination of the rectum by inserting a finger into the anus) is very important. For example, the anal sacs can be examined for inflammation and tumors.

Gastrointestinal parasites, on the other hand, can be detected with the help of a fecal examination.

An abdominal ultrasound examination can be very helpful in examining the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, and other abdominal organs and thus identifying, for example, liver diseases or intestinal tumors. However, gastrointestinal ulcers are often not easily recognizable.

If it is suspected that the blood in the dog’s stool comes from the respiratory tract (in the case of black stool), a thorough examination of the throat area, X-rays of the lungs and, if necessary, an endoscopic examination of the nose and/or trachea can help.

If the examinations do not clarify the cause, it may be necessary to perform an endoscopy. 

A flexible, tubular camera is inserted either through the dog’s mouth (examination of the stomach and duodenum, gastro-duodenoscopy) or through the anus (examination of the large intestine, colonoscopy). In this way, more inconspicuous changes and ulcers can also be easily recognized.

In the course of such an examination, small tissue samples ( biopsies ) can also be taken, which are then examined by a pathologist (e.g. to diagnose tumors or IBD).

Depending on the cause suspected by the veterinarian, other examination methods may also be used, e.g. a certain blood test to detect Addison’s syndrome, a urine examination, an abdominal x-ray (e.g. to find a foreign body) or a blood clotting test.

Determining There Is Fecal Occult Blood In Dogs

There is also the possibility of detecting occult (i.e. not visible to the eye) blood in the stool of dogs. Similar to humans, this can be done with a specific test that only requires a small amount of fresh feces.

Unfortunately, this test isn’t always accurate—if the blood isn’t evenly distributed throughout the stool, the result can be a false negative.

On the other hand, feeding also has a major impact on the reliability of the test. Raw (or undercooked) meat, raw vegetables, and sometimes canned food, in particular, can cause the test to give a false positive

To avoid this problem, it may be necessary to change the dog’s diet a few days before the test. The vet will discuss this with you if necessary.

Treating Dogs With Bloody Diarrhea

The treatment of blood in the feces or bloody diarrhea is about treating or eliminating the actual cause of the bleeding on the one hand and stabilizing and supporting the dog on the other.

Treatment Of The Underlying Disease

The specific treatment of the root cause is of course entirely dependent on the disease 

In the case of a worm infestation, for example, simple deworming can be the solution. In the case of anal sac inflammation, the anal sacs are emptied, rinsed and, if necessary, an antibiotic is administered.

Depending on the cause of the inflammation, if there is an intestinal inflammation, a change in feed, the administration of an antibiotic, or an immunosuppressant (a drug that suppresses the immune system) can be useful. 

Some other diseases, on the other hand, require surgical treatment (e.g. perianal hernia).

If a gastrointestinal ulcer is suspected, all medications that could be responsible should be discontinued, if possible.

Supportive Treatment Of Bloody Diarrhea

Supportive care depends on the dog’s general condition and other symptoms. Especially in the case of bloody diarrhea and large blood losses, liquid administration by means of infusions and, if necessary, a blood transfusion is necessary.

Certain medications that inhibit hydrochloric acid production (so-called H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, “acid blockers”), on the other hand, can help to heal gastrointestinal ulcers.

In severe cases (e.g. acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome) it may make sense or even be necessary for your dog to stay in a veterinary clinic for a few days for intensive treatment.

You Should Do This If You Find Blood In Your Dog’s Poop

If you think he has a heat stroke, do not hesitate to take his temperature and follow the advice in the article on the dog’s temperature. Taking your temperature can also point to an infectious disease, such as parvovirus if it is increased.

Examine The Dog

Either way, take your dog to your veterinarian so he can assess the severity of the bleeding. 

After a very precise statement of the history of your dog and his illness, and a complete clinical examination, he will be able to carry out additional examinations if he deems it necessary. 

On clinical examination, it may show abdominal pain or bleeding from other parts of the body. With a digital rectal examination, he will be able to check that there is no anomaly of the colon or the anal glands which would cause blood in the dog’s stools.

Doing Blood Tests

A blood test will make it possible to check if no organ is affected and if there are still enough red blood cells in the blood and possibly show anemia (lower number of red blood cells in the blood). 

He can have a stool analysis done and do rapid tests to diagnose parvovirus if they are positive. He may do an abdominal ultrasound or an intestinal endoscopy. 

He may also do coagulation tests if he suspects a clotting problem in your dog.

Rehydration

In certain cases and in particular, in the case of acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, the dog will be hospitalized to be rehydrated by infusion. 

Diarrhea and vomiting by increasing water loss dehydrate animals very quickly. 

In addition, while being hospitalized, your dog will be able to receive his treatments (antibiotics, vitamins, painkillers, or anti-emetics) by injection.

Conclusion

The color of stool is determined by what the dog eats, and whether the intestines, liver and pancreas are working properly.

If your dog is not bothered by anything and only the color of the stool is different once, then there is no need to worry.

Dog poop isn’t a topic we like to talk about, but we can learn a lot about your dog’s health from it. Recognizing the signs can help you tackle health problems quickly.

We hope the article my dog’s poop looks like red jelly has answered your questions and has given you insight into how to make your furry pet perform at optimum. As usual, don’t forget to follow us on social media, and do remember that petsrpriority.com

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