Bloody Stool in Animals

Having blood in the stool of your pet cats can signify health-care issues that need to be addressed immediately. Presence of bright red blood in your cat’s stool is usually referred to as hematochezia. This is different from melena, since the later is the presence of black or tarry stools.

Blood in stool can mean almost anything. When the bloody discharge only happened one and you only saw a few droplets of blood, then it can be constipation. Although to make sure, you need to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis.

Causes of blood in cat stool

Constipation is very common among animals as well, especially if you have recently introduced a new brand of cat food to your pet. It takes a while for the digestive system to process the new food that is why stools will usually come out hard and dry. The pressure in passing of stool can infect the anus of the cat that in turn will result to blood in stool.

Intestinal parasites can also be blamed for bloody stool. Some of the usual parasites that live in the system of cats include giardia and coccidian. If your cat has acquired these two, they promote bloody diarrhea. There are also other bacteria types that infect the gastrointestinal system of the cat. These cases should be addressed and seen by the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Also, it is also important to note that any trauma in the lower intestine or in the anus can promote bloody stool. Meanwhile, if your cat is already old, there are certain instances wherein blood in bowels may signal cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Blood in your cat’s stool can mean anything from food intolerance, to colitis, to bowel syndromes, and so on. Aside from seeing blood, most cats will also have vomiting episodes if there are problems in their gastrointestinal system. They are at risk for dehydration too if they have diarrhea which can make them lethargic.

Other possible symptoms include the following:

• Loss of appetite

• Increased water intake

• Weight loss

• Excessive urination

Addressing and treating blood in cat stool

Of course, it is your primary role as the pet owner to guarantee that your pet cat will get the proper care. During your visit to the veterinarian, it is highly recommended that you discuss the issues that you have. This will help the vet suggest possible treatment options to cure your pet. For example, if your pet has ingested spoiled food or non-food item, tell it to the doctor. Let him also know about changes in the diet of your cat.

Before your visit, try to collect sample of bloody stools from your pet. This is the best way for the veterinarian to check what the possible causes of it are. He will most probably administer stool examination and other tests such as:

• Urinalysis

• X-rays

• Abdominal ultrasound

• Colonoscopy

• Complete blood count

When it comes to treatment options, the best medical intervention depends on the cause. For example, if your cat is suffering from constipation, the veterinarian will prescribe increased water intake to let the stools pass freely and lessen friction in the anus area.

On the other hand, parasites can be addressed easily with the help of certain drugs. For bacterial infection, antibiotics will cure your pet. Another thing that you need to remember is that you should always give the right food for the cat. If you plan to switch from one pet food brand to another, then do it gradually and slowly. This will keep your pet’s system from getting “shocked”.

Having a pet dog is a big responsibility on the part of the owner. Besides feeding and taking your pet out to walk, you also need to secure their health. Vaccinations and constant visit to the veterinarian will help you in making sure that your pet is doing well. Seeing unusual things like blood in the stool of your dog is a frightful event, something that you should immediately check with the doctor.

There are various causes of bloody stool among dogs, but you have to remember that not all of them are cancer-related. They could be caused by parasites, or by foods that your dog had eaten. As a responsible pet owner, it is your job to have this condition verified on a medical basis.

Hematochezia or melena is the clinical term for blood in stool. The difference between these two is in the appearance of the stool. For example, if the blood still looks fresh and red, it could possibly mean that the bleeding either started in the lower intestines or in the rectum. On the other hand, tarry and black stool is referred to as melena. Once your dog’s stool looks like this, it goes to show that the blood came from the upper intestine.

Possible causes of hematochezia in dogs

As mentioned, blood in your dog’s stool can mean anything, and it can be either of the following:

• Parasites – Parasites are the most usual causes of blood in the stool. They live inside your pet and can cause inflammation or infection that lead to bloody stool. Some of the parasites that cause bloody stool include roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Sometimes, certain protozoans like coccidian can lead to bloody stools as well.

• HGE – Otherwise known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, this involves blood stool with diarrhea. The dog may also vomit from time to time. The cause of HGE is unknown.

• Parvo – This is a contagious virus that usually affects puppies and certain dog breeds such as Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds. Dogs will exhibit excessive vomiting, blood in stools, diarrhea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. This disease can be very serious and deadly at the same time.

• Over eating – Feeding dogs too much or sudden introduction to new foods can irritate their intestine which in turn will lead to bloody stools. Spoiled foods and allergies can also affect their intestines.

• Rectal injuries – Injuries or wounds that can scrape off the skin in the lining of their rectum also causes bloody stools

Diagnosing and addressing bloody stool among dogs

The first step should always be a visit to the veterinarian. Never self-medicate or treat your dog on your own. Even though you have been a pet owner for a long time and you have addressed health issues of your past pets, you need to remember that every dog is unique. There are some dog breeds that are allergic to some medicines or they will not be able to tolerate it as much as the other pets. Going to the veterinarian will give you the peace of mind and assurance.

The first thing that the vet will do is a series of tests, particularly stool test. You can bring your pet along to the vet together with a sample of his stool with blood. Physical examination, blood tests, and x-rays will also be requested by the doctor to make the proper diagnosis of the disease.

Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the bloody stool. If it is because of parasites, your dog will have to be dewormed and given proper hydrates to keep the body fluid up. Unfortunately, parvo does not have any cure yet and you will have to face the fact that your pet might or might not survive. If your dog tested negative for parvo, you should have him vaccinated.