Just like humans, cats are susceptible to many health risks. From time to time, a cat may suffer from cases of infection like feline urinary tract infection, bladder infection and many more. Cats can also experience a condition called hematochezia.
Hematochezia is a condition characterized by the presence of blood in cat feces. The blood is usually bright red and fresh. Hematochezia should not be confused with another medical condition in which cat blood in the feces hardens, making the feces appear tarry, dark, and black. This type of condition is called melena. Both hematochezia and mane are common in cats.
The presence of blood in the cat’s feces may be associated with a minor disorder in your pet. However, in some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious problem. In younger cats, hematochezia may be a sign of parasites in the animal’s intestines.
The factors that can cause the presence of fresh blood in the feces of the cat are the following:
o Cancer of the lower part of the bladder, medically known as neoplasm
o Trauma to the lower bowel or lower anal area
o Presence of polyps or benign tumors in the rectum or colon
or dietary intolerance
o Coagulopathy or blood clotting disorder
o Bacterial infections such as those caused by E. coli bacteria, salmonella, and clostridia
or Viruses
or protozoa
o Parasites in the intestines such as hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms
o Colitis or inflammation of the intestine
o Ingestion of poisonous substance
Your first reaction to seeing blood in your cat’s feces may be alarm and anxiety. After all, who wouldn’t be alarmed to see blood in their stool? Fortunately, although this condition in cats can be extremely alarming, there are certain remedies that can help solve the problem.
Since hematochezia can sometimes be caused by allergy or dietary intolerance, you may want to consider changing your pet’s diet. If the animal has consumed commercial and canned food, you can change its diet to homemade food. It is especially recommended to give your pet a soft diet, rich in fiber and low in fat. Fatty foods are a no-no, as they can lead to potential health disorders in cats.
If you are sure that the cause of hematochezia in your pet is the presence of parasitic worms, you can give deworming medication. You can also give the animal antibiotics and other medications to relieve inflammation in its intestines and to control the rate of movement of food through the intestines.
If no improvement is seen in the cat despite the measures you have taken to stop the presence of blood in the cat’s feces, it is best to consult the veterinarian. The vet can administer the appropriate medical procedures to rule out the true cause of the presence of blood in the cat’s stool. He can also prescribe the proper treatment that is best for the animal.