Blood in the stool in cats: possible causes and tips
The appearance of your cat's stool can tell you a lot about their health. Conditions like diarrhea are a clear indication that something is not right with your four-legged friend.
This also applies, of course, if you discover blood in your cat's stool. In the following, we will explain the possible causes and what you can do in this case.
What color is the blood in the cat's stool?
The blood in your cat's stool can be either red or black. A black color indicates that it is digested blood. In most cases, the blood in this case originates from the anterior parts of the cat's digestive tract.
If the stool contains red blood, you can assume that it is fresh and therefore originates from the rear parts of the cat's digestive system.
However, there are exceptions in both cases. In cats with constipation, black blood in the stool can also come from the rear parts of the digestive tract due to the delay in defecation.
Similarly, red blood can come from the anterior parts of the digestive system if it passes through the intestines too quickly, for example, due to an infectious disease such as feline panleukopenia, and is not digested before defecation.
Possible causes of blood in the cat's stool
If you notice bloody stools in your cat, there are many potential causes. Some of these are relatively harmless. However, it is also possible that the bloody stool indicates a life-threatening feline disease.
Some of the possible causes of blood in the cat's stool include:
- Infection with Giardia, which can cause bloody and mucus-filled diarrhea in cats.
- Infestation with worms, which can manifest with vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool.
- Cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often have blood in their stools.
- If a blood vessel bursts in the cat's intestine due to constipation, some blood can enter the stool.
- Tumors and ulcers in the digestive tract are also possible causes of blood in the stool.
- Anal gland inflammation is extremely uncomfortable for cats and can result in difficulties with defecation and blood in the stool.
- Swallowed foreign objects can injure the cat's intestinal walls and lead to bloody stool.
- In some cases, gastrointestinal disorders in cats can also be accompanied by bloody stool.
In addition to the mentioned causes, it is sometimes possible that the blood does not originate directly from the digestive tract. This is the case, for example, with nosebleeds when the cat swallows the blood.
Apart from that, ingestion of rat poison can cause massive internal bleeding. Unfortunately, this is also a possible reason for bloody stool in outdoor cats.
Bloody stool is usually not the only symptom in cats
In most cases, you can expect that blood in the cat's stool is not the only abnormality. Depending on the exact cause, there may be various other symptoms as well.
Possible additional symptoms that may occur include:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Excessive licking of the anus
- Bloody vomiting
- Mucus in the stool
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Pale mucous membranes
- Sores and swelling around the anus
- Obvious pain during defecation
Blood in the stool in outdoor cats
In outdoor cats, it can be challenging to notice symptoms like blood in the stool promptly. After all, they may not necessarily defecate in their home litter box.
To avoid overlooking potential health problems, it is essential to monitor the overall condition of outdoor cats and act quickly if there are any abnormalities.
Cats with blood in the stool need to see a veterinarian
Even if the blood in your cat's stool may have a harmless cause, you should never take it lightly and schedule a veterinarian appointment immediately.
After all, it is not uncommon for the cause of bloody cat feces to be a serious health problem that can only be prevented from worsening through immediate treatment. Additionally, there can sometimes be significant blood loss that leads to anemia in your cat.
Determining the causes of blood in the cat's stool
To take the appropriate treatment measures, it is necessary to determine the cause of the cat's bloody stool. In addition to a general examination and a medical history discussion, the veterinarian will likely take a blood sample and perform several tests.
Depending on the test results and the color of the blood in the stool, the veterinarian will conduct further examinations on your cat, such as checking the anal glands.
If tumors or ulcers are considered as potential causes, an ultrasound examination can aid in diagnosis. On the other hand, if a parasitic infestation is suspected as the cause of blood in the cat's stool, a fecal sample examination is required.
In some cases, an endoscopy or biopsy may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment for a cat with blood in the stool
The appropriate treatment measures for blood in the cat's stool can vary depending on the underlying cause.
For example, cats with worms or giardia are treated with deworming medication. In many cases of IBD, switching to a more easily digestible cat food, such as our varieties with insect protein, is sufficient.
On the other hand, cats with anal gland inflammation usually require gland flushing and the administration of antibiotics. To provide additional care for the irritated skin around the anus, using our anal gland ointment for cats can be beneficial.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to eliminate the cause of the blood in the stool in cats. Additionally, keep in mind that significant blood loss may require blood transfusions or intravenous fluids to compensate for fluid loss.
Blood in the cat's stool: our conclusion
As you can see, blood in the cat's stool can have numerous causes that often require immediate treatment. If you discover bloody stool in the litter box, we strongly recommend contacting a veterinarian promptly.
With timely treatment, the chances are often good for your cat to recover and no longer have blood in their stool. However, in some cases, the underlying cause may be severe, and unfortunately, it can result in the loss of your cat's life.
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