Cats with Bloody Stool: Possible Causes Explained

What is Cat Hematochezia?

Hematochezia refers to the presence of bright red blood in feces, which can be caused by a variety of issues.

Melena: This term describes dark, tarry stools, often indicating a problem in the upper part of the digestive system.

Causes of Cat Blood in Stool:

Constipation: Mild exhaustion accompanied by slight bleeding.

Injuries around the lower intestine or anus

Food Allergies

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Parasites: Feline coccidiosis and intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and flagellates.

Bacterial or Viral Infections: Viruses like feline distemper, bacteria like Salmonella infection

Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal Prolapse

Food Poisoning: Ingestion of disinfectants or toxins

Lower Intestinal Cancer

Simple Ways to Determine the Cause of Bleeding:

Ask yourself a few questions if your cat is repeatedly experiencing blood in their stool:

Has your cat eaten human food? What kind?

Has your cat eaten spoiled food?

Has your cat eaten bones?

Could your cat have swallowed a foreign object?

Has there been a recent change in your cat's diet?

Is there any trauma around your cat's anal area?

Has your cat had their anal glands cleaned recently?

Best to Undergo Some Tests:

Fecal examination, blood tests, infectious disease screening, and if the situation is severe, rectal area examination, and colonoscopy. Please follow your veterinarian's advice, and not all tests are necessary.

Treatment Methods:

The treatment depends on the diagnosis.

1. Feed a veterinaryprescribed diet, consume easily digestible foods, and supplement with probiotics to reduce intestinal stress.

2. Deworming or administering medication to kill parasites as needed.

3. Use antibiotics, either orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously.

Other Complications:

Hematochezia can be a sign of other issues. If other complications are apparent, seek medical attention promptly.

Excessive drinking, diarrhea, vomiting, increased urination, loss of appetite, listlessness, weight loss despite eating, fever, and sneezing.

Occasional blood in stool is generally normal, but frequent blood in stool should be taken seriously by pet parents.

For example, situations such as:

Finding fresh blood in one or more areas of the litter box

Difficulties in defecation

Increased frequency of defecation

If the situation is too complex, please consult with your veterinarian and seek medical attention promptly. Your vet will not prevent you from taking your cat to the hospital and will not give you inappropriate medication advice.