Symptoms Bloody Stool in Cats

The symptoms of bloody stool in cats and other stool abnormalities can be an indicator of many different health issues. Pet owners usually notice hematochezia, or the presence of a bright red blood in the feces of a cat, after he or she uses the litter box.

Learn about the signs of illness...

Symptoms of Bloody Stool in Cats: Possible Problems

When bloody discharge is only noted once and there isn't that much blood, the symptoms of bloody stool in cats and minor straining may indicate a temporary case of constipation that has righted itself. Cats can even get hemorrhoids. However, if your cat continuously has blood in the feces or an extraordinary amount of blood, this could be an indicator of something more serious.

Bloody stool in cats may indicate:

• Minor infections/infestations, such as parasites, bacteria, etc.
• Allergy or intolerance to food
• Polyps (non-cancerous)
• Cancer in the lower bowels
• Colitis
• Damage to the anus or lower bowel
• Blood clot disorders
• Bowel problems

Symptoms that indicate a visit to the vet should be made as soon as possible:

• Bright red blood (more than a single time or more than a speck)
• Problems defecating, such as straining when trying to defecate
• Significant increase in numbers of times cat defecates each day

It is also possible that your cat will show other symptoms that don't appear to be a direct result of the bloody stools such as urinating more than normal, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, drinking more water than normal and extreme lethargy.

There are several tests your veterinarian may decide to run:

• Examination of the rectal area
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Profile of chemicals in your cat's blood
• Urinalysis
• Testing of fecal material
• X-rays or ultrasound of abdominal area
• Colonoscopy

Hematochezia Versus Melana

Melana and hematochezia are sometimes confused with one another. Hematochezia is the presence of a bright red blood in the stool. Bright red blood is usually an indication of bleeding in the lower intestines or rectum, although the actual bleeding can be caused by a wide variety of problems. Melana is a dark, tar-like feces. This is often caused by passing older blood, which indicates a problem higher in the intestines instead of the lower tract.

Most commonly, hematochezia is a symptom of parasites in younger cats and of cancer in older cats. However, this is not always the case and only your veterinarian can make a valid diagnosis by running numerous tests, such as the ones listed above.

Possible Treatments

Depending upon the results of the tests, your vet may recommend some of the following treatments to help relieve your feline of his or her bloody stools:

• Prescription foods or a new diet to help ease the strain on the intestines
• Therapy with fluid
• Medication to treat internal parasites
• Antibiotics, if your cat has a bacterial infection
• Drugs that can slow the movement of food through your cat's intestines.

Questions Your Vet May Ask

1. Could your cat have eaten spoiled food or ingested a non-food item, such as bones?
2. Has there been any recent change in diet?
3. Has your cat eaten any people food? If so, what?
4. Has your cat experienced any trauma to the anal area, such as a bite from another animal, a fractured pelvis or insertion of object (such as through a health care examination)?
5. Have you noticed the cat rubbing its rear on the carpets? This could indicate anal sac problems.

Whenever you notice bloody stools in your cat, be sure to carefully collect the fecal matter for examination. Place the stool sample into a plastic baggie and take it to your vet at your earliest possible convenience. This is probably the first and easiest test that your veterinarian will administer; it will tell you if there is an infestation of most common parasites. By getting immediate care for your cat any time health changes occur, you and your pet will enjoy many long and happy years together.

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