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Cats/rectal bleeding

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Expert: - 7/13/2009


Question
Hi,I just got a 6 week old kitten 2 days ago. She appears to be bleeding from her rectal area, what might be the cause?

Answer
Hi Amanda.  A vet really needs to check out the little one to find out what’s causing this.  Sometimes if there are a couple drops of blood following a bowel movement, it can be the result of small blood vessels that have burst due to straining.  This often comes along with diarrhea or constipation.  You should talk to a vet if this continues.

But a more constant presence of blood can indicate something more serious.  The kitten could have an internal injury or a disease that predisposes her to bleeding.  There are also some viral illnesses, like feline distemper, that can cause a bloody rectal discharge.  A bad roundworm infection could cause enough inflammation to lead to some bleeding, too.  At her tiny size, anything that causes her to bleed chronically can lead to anemia quickly, so it’s important to have her checked out promptly.  

I hope she’s feeling much better soon!

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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.

Experience

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.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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