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Cats/Blood in stool

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Expert: - 10/10/2009


Question
hi i have a older cat whos been pooping blood for awhile now... i want to know what it could be, also i got a new kitten and since shes been here shes also been pooping blood all of a sudden. What could this be??

Answer
Hi Amy.  You should have both cats examined by a vet, and try to bring in a stool sample for each.  Blood in the stool is often caused by parasites.  This can include parasitic worms and protozoan infections such as coccidia and giardia.  Coccidia, giardia and roundworms are highly contagious through sharing litter boxes.

Intolerances to food can cause diarrhea and lead to blood in the stool.  You may want to discuss an appropriate diet change with the vet if fecal samples are all negative, or if treatments for parasites don't seem to provide any relief.  Corn is an ingredient found in most cat foods that cats have a difficult time digesting.  It's best to avoid this ingredient if you have cats that appear to have sensitive bellies.

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

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I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

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15 years' hands-on experience

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