? Small amount of blood in stool for the first time. What should I do?

[JoUp]

For the first time ever, there was blood in Rueben's stool this morning. He has tended towards colitis since I first adopted him from the shelter. He seems otherwise fine, with a good appetite (!) and affectionate as always. Yesterday he did have a major hairball barfing episode. I had forgotten to give him his hairball remedy. He had had a bath and claws clipped, and seemed to shed more right after. I did brush him. but he won't tolerate very much of that. Anyway, the sight of blood in his stool this morning alarmed me. I would appreciate any help you can give. Many thanks, Rueben's Mom

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Is it red blood? If so that means the source is the end of the digestive tract. If the source is further up in the digestive tract then the blood gets digested and ends up black and tarry in the stool.
If it does not occur frequently i would just monitor it.

 

[JoUp]

Is it red blood? If so that means the source is the end of the digestive tract. If the source is further up in the digestive tract then the blood gets digested and ends up black and tarry in the stool.
If it does not occur frequently i would just monitor it.

It is red. And has never happened before. Thanks for responding. I tend to get a bit panicky!

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I've had Hemorrhoids forever so sometimes I get blood streaks on the outside of my stool, not in the stool. We've also had a cat that somehow swallowed a staple (maybe fell from the insulation into the litter box) but he passed that no problem. Also had a dog that could not chew rawhide bones which produced blood in her stool. Just thinking of oddball things that might not be colitis related. Larry is correct about the color. Try and pick the stool apart to get an idea of the amount and think about what else may have gotten into his GI tract. All the nasty stuff floating in the air settles downwards, right into their food and water. Also crap you step in outdoors that comes off your shoes. Just trying to look for non-tragic stuff to cheer you up. Maybe cross reference what he ate and the resulting blood. Hope you have a better day!

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Rueben's Mom,

I'd suggest getting your kitty checked out by the vet to be on the safe side. It may be helpful to bring a stool sample for analysis in order to identify a possible cause.

Hope the problem clears up quickly.


Mogs
.

 

[JoUp]

I've had Hemorrhoids forever so sometimes I get blood streaks on the outside of my stool, not in the stool. We've also had a cat that somehow swallowed a staple (maybe fell from the insulation into the litter box) but he passed that no problem. Also had a dog that could not chew rawhide bones which produced blood in her stool. Just thinking of oddball things that might not be colitis related. Larry is correct about the color. Try and pick the stool apart to get an idea of the amount and think about what else may have gotten into his GI tract. All the nasty stuff floating in the air settles downwards, right into their food and water. Also crap you step in outdoors that comes off your shoes. Just trying to look for non-tragic stuff to cheer you up. Maybe cross reference what he ate and the resulting blood. Hope you have a better day!

Oh, interesting! The blood was on the outside of the stool, as far as I could tell. I will wait for the next one and look more closely. Thank you so very much! Yesterday, he had some dramatic vomiting of a series of hairballs. Since then, he's been wolfing his food down. I wonder if I gave him too many treats, the Temptations brand. You are right, it doesn't have to mean the end of the world!

 

[JoUp]

Hi Rueben's Mom,

I'd suggest getting your kitty checked out by the vet to be on the safe side. It may be helpful to bring a stool sample for analysis in order to identify a possible cause.

Hope the problem clears up quickly.


Mogs
.

Thanks so much, Critter Mom. I have the same thought as your suggestion. He won't appreciate it, but it might be something that the vet can help with.

 

[JoUp]

Thanks so much, Critter Mom. I have the same thought as your suggestion. He won't appreciate it, but it might be something that the vet can help with.

Adding to my reply, Critter Mom, Rueben's stools are typically loose, and he's been on a special cat food because of it: Hill's W/D. I tried giving him a partial feeding of another brand, and he vomited over and over. I rarely see formed stools from him, because of his chronic IBS.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Both diarrhea and constipation can irritate the rectum and cause red blood in stool.

 

[JoUp]

Both diarrhea and constipation can irritate the rectum and cause red blood in stool.

Thanks, Kris. That makes sense! He's had chronic diarrhea forever, had it when I adopted him 3 years ago. I will chat with the vet about it, and see
if any treatment might help him. I appreciate your observation!