? Continuous bloody stools! Which tests need to be done by vet?

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

My Ti-Mousse is having a hard time! He's counting on me and I don't know what to do!

@Wendy&Neko @Sienne and Gabby (GA)

Ti-Mousse had a little bloody diarrhea on November 12 and since then, it changed to loose small stools covered with clear red blood…. He normally has big stools.

Unfortunately the 2 vets I'm more familiar with were completely booked at my clinic so I was given an appointment with a new one. She suggested FortiFlora for 2 weeks and Royal Canin GI food which is full of carbs. I have to confess I did not give him that! I replaced the FortiFlora with S.Boulardii RenewLife and yesterday I made SEB syrup with bio turkey broth!

He had a blood work done and vet said it was good (I updated the LAB tab in his SS). Maybe @Marje and Gracie could have a look at it! Marje might see something…

This morning he was very hungry and ate more than usual; he vomitted right after breakfast, which he never does.

3 days ago I had his anal glands expressed by a technician at the clinic. (one side was swollen and blocked).

Questions:
Which tests should I ask the vet? stool analysis? x-rays? parasites ? bacterias?

If S.Boulardii and SEB can help the bleeding, how long can it take to see improvements until we find the cause?

If food allergy: should I try a novel protein now or start by removing one at the time the ones he's been eating?

I wish I could continue with one of the 2 vets I see usually.
Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Bloody stool definitely needs a vet visit. Rather than second guessing what tests he might need, I would see what the expert (vet) says needs to be tested. In would expect the vet would suggest a number of tests, including X-ray or ultrasound. GI issues are common in acros, including thickened bowels.

Length of time to improvement depends on what is causing the problem and treatment needed. We would just be guessing now.

What proteins has he been eating?

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

Rather than second guessing what tests he might need, I would see what the expert (vet) says needs to be tested.

Since 2 weeks, I had 2 vet visits with her because of bloody stools and I'm still at the same point; she did not suggest any further testings for now, not even stool analysis! I wanted her to have some basic testings done as soon as possible until the appointment with my regular vet in 2 weeks who is the surgeon, so it's long for appointments.

GI issues are common in acros, including thickened bowels.

You're the expert with acro cats, that's one reason why I tagged you. What are the main GI issues for acros ?

What proteins has he been eating?

Chicken, turkey, fish and duck.

 

[JanetNJ]

Did they do an ultrasound?

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

Did they do an ultrasound?

No, nothing was done! That's why I'm worried.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

3 days ago I had his anal glands expressed by a technician at the clinic. (one side was swollen and blocked).

SIs the bloody stools start of this procedure? If yes that the cause of the bloody stools is likely problem with the anal glands, like infection, or the expression inured some of the ansu resulting in bleeding.

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

SIs the bloody stools start of this procedure? If yes that the cause of the bloody stools is likely problem with the anal glands, like infection, or the expression inured some of the ansu resulting in bleeding.

That's a good point! He was having blood on stools before the procedure but as the left gland was swollen before expression, maybe skin was very tender and blood was coming from there...

 

[Wendy&Neko]

What are the main GI issues for acros ?

Thickened bowels - due to excess growth hormone/IGF-1. Which can sometimes lead to mega colon, or we've also seen IBD and/or small cell lymphoma.

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

Thickened bowels - due to excess growth hormone/IGF-1. Which can sometimes lead to mega colon, or we've also seen IBD and/or small cell lymphoma.

Thanks Wendy! I'll be reading about all this .... I always appreciate your help !!

 

[tessa's mom]

I would also ask for a PCR fecal test. He might have a bacterial infection, that can definitely cause bloody stool. If your vet uses IDEXX testing, I believe that would be test 3882.

My cats had Clostridium perfringens which caused diarrhea in both cats and one of them had bloody stool.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_clostridial_enterotoxicosis

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

I would also ask for a PCR fecal test. He might have a bacterial infection, that can definitely cause bloody stool. If your vet uses IDEXX testing, I believe that would be test 3882.

My cats had Clostridium perfringens which caused diarrhea in both cats and one of them had bloody stool.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_clostridial_enterotoxicosis

Thanks for your help! I could not bring any stool samples at the vet appointment on Thursday because my ti minou only had a bit of blood but no stools; loose stools had changed to constipation since a few days! He had x-rays and ultrasound; intestines are all in a bunch....; vet suspects tumor! He gave him metronidazole for 15 days. After the 2nd pill, Ti-Mousse went in the LB had 2 small stools good consistency with a little less blood; for me it's a good sign! I'm glad I went to see this new vet, at least he is doing something.

Ti-Mousse is still getting his B12, S.Boulardii and SEB. This morning he had a very good appetite, he's a bit lethargic (probably normal with the meds) and his numbers are great even if I'm giving him a little Catit Creamy lickable treat after the pill. It makes him happy!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

My Ti-Mousse is having a hard time! He's counting on me and I don't know what to do!

@Wendy&Neko @Sienne and Gabby (GA)

Ti-Mousse had a little bloody diarrhea on November 12 and since then, it changed to loose small stools covered with clear red blood…. He normally has big stools.

Unfortunately the 2 vets I'm more familiar with were completely booked at my clinic so I was given an appointment with a new one. She suggested FortiFlora for 2 weeks and Royal Canin GI food which is full of carbs. I have to confess I did not give him that! I replaced the FortiFlora with S.Boulardii RenewLife and yesterday I made SEB syrup with bio turkey broth!

He had a blood work done and vet said it was good (I updated the LAB tab in his SS). Maybe @Marje and Gracie could have a look at it! Marje might see something…

This morning he was very hungry and ate more than usual; he vomitted right after breakfast, which he never does.

3 days ago I had his anal glands expressed by a technician at the clinic. (one side was swollen and blocked).

Questions:
Which tests should I ask the vet? stool analysis? x-rays? parasites ? bacterias?

If S.Boulardii and SEB can help the bleeding, how long can it take to see improvements until we find the cause?

If food allergy: should I try a novel protein now or start by removing one at the time the ones he's been eating?

I wish I could continue with one of the 2 vets I see usually.
Thanks for any suggestions!

I’m sorry to just see this and I hope he’s doing better. His labs do look fine although I’m curious why his rbcs, HCT, and hemoglobin are so high. Does he take iron or do you feed him alot of liver?

Larry is right that an anal gland infection can cause bleeding that you might think is coming from his stools. You will especially see blood if an anal gland ruptures. Is the blood bright red? If it’s bright red, it’s new blood and can even be caused if he’s had some constipation and then he ruptures some small capillaries as he’s pushing. If he had the loose stools before the blood, that could also be a cause as the intestines become irritated.

I hope he has continued to improve.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

why his rbcs, HCT, and hemoglobin are so high

Coiuld be due to dehydration. Toper protein is near the upper range and that id lo an indicator of possible dehydration.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Coiuld be due to dehydration. Toper protein is near the upper range and that id lo an indicator of possible dehydration.

Very true but even in my own cats, when their total protein is high, I don’t see their red blood parameters out of the normal range.

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

I’m sorry to just see this and I hope he’s doing better. His labs do look fine although I’m curious why his rbcs, HCT, and hemoglobin are so high. Does he take iron or do you feed him alot of liver?

Larry is right that an anal gland infection can cause bleeding that you might think is coming from his stools. You will especially see blood if an anal gland ruptures. Is the blood bright red? If it’s bright red, it’s new blood and can even be caused if he’s had some constipation and then he ruptures some small capillaries as he’s pushing. If he had the loose stools before the blood, that could also be a cause as the intestines become irritated.

I hope he has continued to improve.

Thank you so much Marje for taking the time to look at his numbers and helping me!

Does he take iron or do you feed him alot of liver?

I give him liver with chicken occasionally, I will stop that. He doesn't drink much even with the water fountain; so I'm adding broth to his food.

Is the blood bright red?

Yes it's clear red blood and it's like that since almost 2 months! After the x-rays and ultrasound last week, vet suspects a tumor... his intestines are all in a bunch! Maybe it's some inflammation causing bleeding? I'm stopping the metronidazole started 4 days ago which makes him acting weird, as if he is not there and terribly tired....

No appetite also (maybe the meds); I was given FortiFlora which I don't like too much but I'll have to try it, he has to eat. I'm going to get some raw frozen duck patties today which is a new protein for him. If he's allergic to something in the canned food, at least raw should help.
I'm hoping so much to find a solution for my ti minou !

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Lyane --

The info you commented on from the Raw Feeding group -- the same group has a Facebook page. The moderators and many of the people posting there are very knowledgeable. It's a great place for asking questions. This is the link to the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RawFedIBD

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

Lyane --

The info you commented on from the Raw Feeding group -- the same group has a Facebook page. The moderators and many of the people posting there are very knowledgeable. It's a great place for asking questions. This is the link to the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RawFedIBD

Thanks so much Sienne, I appreciate your help!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Thank you so much Marje for taking the time to look at his numbers and helping me!

I give him liver with chicken occasionally, I will stop that. He doesn't drink much even with the water fountain; so I'm adding broth to his food.

Yes it's clear red blood and it's like that since almost 2 months! After the x-rays and ultrasound last week, vet suspects a tumor... his intestines are all in a bunch! Maybe it's some inflammation causing bleeding? I'm stopping the metronidazole started 4 days ago which makes him acting weird, as if he is not there and terribly tired....

No appetite also (maybe the meds); I was given FortiFlora which I don't like too much but I'll have to try it, he has to eat. I'm going to get some raw frozen duck patties today which is a new protein for him. If he's allergic to something in the canned food, at least raw should help.
I'm hoping so much to find a solution for my ti minou !

You’re welcome.

Metronidazole is a tough one. I’ve never had a cat that could take it. Fortiflora is pretty unhealthy and not a good probiotic. I know many use it as a topper but do you think he might eat some of the freeze-dried meats? My boy loves the chicken as a topper.

I feed a balanced raw diet (I use Food Fur Life) so go very slow. Duck is a very fatty meat. Some cats love it; mine do not. The FB group Sienne linked is great. I hope they can give you lots of good info.

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

You’re welcome.

Metronidazole is a tough one. I’ve never had a cat that could take it. Fortiflora is pretty unhealthy and not a good probiotic. I know many use it as a topper but do you think he might eat some of the freeze-dried meats? My boy loves the chicken as a topper.

I feed a balanced raw diet (I use Food Fur Life) so go very slow. Duck is a very fatty meat. Some cats love it; mine do not. The FB group Sienne linked is great. I hope they can give you lots of good info.

Glad I stopped Metronidazole, I had the impression I was killing him! I increased his SEB syrup and the SBoulardii, hopefully Ti-Mousse will improve. I'm giving him the food he likes even HC and this morning, I added a bit of raw duck (didn't know it was fat) which is sold as a complete formula with bio supplements included. At least, he's eating and even with all those carbs, his numbers are still green...! I'll try the freeze-dried if he loses appetite, Fortiflora is my last solution.

I started on that FB group yesterday, so helpful!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Glad I stopped Metronidazole, I had the impression I was killing him! I increased his SEB syrup and the SBoulardii, hopefully Ti-Mousse will improve. I'm giving him the food he likes even HC and this morning, I added a bit of raw duck (didn't know it was fat) which is sold as a complete formula with bio supplements included. At least, he's eating and even with all those carbs, his numbers are still green...! I'll try the freeze-dried if he loses appetite, Fortiflora is my last solution.

I started on that FB group yesterday, so helpful!

Good....they will likely have some good answers to the blood in the stool. Hope things continue to improve.