Ask the Veterinarian/Blood in stool

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Expert: - 1/28/2010


Question
About l0 years ago I adopted a cat who showed up on my doorstep. She is still very small, so I have no idea how old she was then. For about the past 2 years about once or twice a year she will defecate on my bed (this will go on for a couple of weeks, then she stops);It was really soft and there would be a spot of bright red blood in it. I've tried "all" the things suggested by the vet thinking it was behavior. I took a stool sample to the vet. But it was fine. I went to the pet store and they suggested a natural food for her. I've been giving her this food for about 4 months. Today she went on my bed again, but this time the sample was firm and no blood. So I am assuming it must have been something to do with irritable bowel??? But...why then did she go on my bed? Do you have any ideas?
Thank you, She looks and acts happy and healthy. So I can't see spending any more time and money at the vet.

Answer
Cats do get irritable bowel and they need high fiber diets for that. She is going on your bed just to let you know that she isn't feeling well. That is how they tell us. In the sink, on the bed, on the rug.
They don't know how else to do it.

If the food she is eating now is helping then keep her on it. Most vets recommend a diet higher in fiber as it helps the gut to make smoother waves and thus keeps down the inflammation. When you see blood in a pets stool that is usually a sign of an irritated colon.

Food of low quality is one of the main causes of this in cats and dogs. We hear it all the time. When the owner switches to a high quality food the problem usually goes away.

True colitis is when they have intermittent bloody (dark) stool that is runny and then they get constipated. She doesn't sound like that is an issue.

Stick to this food or get her on Science Diet sensitive stomach and she should do well. If not a trip to the vet is warranted and a full workup should be done on her.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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