Blood in cat's poo?

[maggiethecat]

We just got our rescue cat Lola yesterday and she did her first poo this morning which has quite a bit of red in it. Not sure if it's blood and wonder if anyone has had similar with their cat?
I've taken a picture - hopefully no one's having breakfast while reading!

Picture now attached

That looks a bit strange. Not like blood, but like a piece of something. Personally I think I'd ring the vet and ask if you could send them the picture.

Good idea! Her first visit is not until 3 weeks but she's been registered so I'll ring them.

Yes, mine both had that. It looks a bit shocking but if it's bright red blood it's actually better news than if it's black (because that suggests a bleed higher up in the stomach). It could be that she just needs a couple of days on plain chicken or sensitive tummy food. But heads up that vet may ask for a poo sample...

Vet practice just said to watch it a couple of days since she's seems well otherwise. I've not changed her food from what she was on at the rescue home.

@Nearlynermal - how did your cats' resolve?

My cat had this once. He was very stressed at the time (because we’d had to keep him inside to give him eye drops, and he’s a VERY outdoor cat) and he’d poo’d on a rug, with a bit of bright red blood. I put it down to stress, as he seemed well otherwise (apart from a scratched cornea) and it didn’t happen again... mind you he usually poo’s outside now so I wouldn’t know anyway! Good idea to keep an eye.

I’d mention it to your vet if it continues but red blood means it’s likely to be very low down the bowel and not such a concern.

My cat has red blood in his poo all the time. He has had various tests and stool sample checks done and the end result is that it’s probably because he is mildly constipated (but that’s because of the medical biscuits he has).

Our rescue cat had this. First of all get LIFETIME insurance before any vet visits. We had lots of investigations for them to find out it was an intolerance, confirmed by a change in diet to non wheat biscuits.. Iams. Insurance doesn't cover Any stomach issues now as we only took out 12 months insurance to start.

Maybe she is low level stressed at new home. Hope it will be fine.

I see you've already spoken to the vet. I volunteer at a CP adoption centre and sometimes cats have a small amount of blood in their poo like your photo. It is noted in their observations files and monitored as sometimes it is down to stress. Hopefully, she'll be ok in a few days as she settles in.

@Username - I am planning to get lifetime insurance. I don't know if I would be required to disclose this on an application?

OP, my cats are probably not a good example because they have a history of giardia and have been on antibiotics. But since they've been giardia free they have had the occasional tummy upset, with some bright red blood, and it clears up on its own.

@Vino - that is reassuring that maybe it'll be down to settling in.

[quote maggiethecat]@Username - I am planning to get lifetime insurance. I don't know if I would be required to disclose this on an application?[/quote]
Yes, now you’ve discussed it with your vet it is although most rescue pets come with insurance that you can just continue, which means it’ll be covered in that case.

@Nearlynermal - guardia? is that worm?

Oh, and yes, get that insurance before any more vet visits, OP!

Don't worry OP, if she had giardia you'd know about it. Very nasty parasite, proper dire rear that goes on for weeks, hideous stench. No reason to suspect that from the pic.

@maggiethecat check the insurance she's currently under, I think there's an overlap for a month. I think with insurance you need to play it carefully otherwise you get screwed. I think because you've not had an appointment with the vet it's not officially logged on her health records. So I'd ring an insurance company now, get LIFETIME insurance set up as of today and then if its still bloody at the end of the week you'll be covered and you can get a vets appointment. Maybe try Iams not wheat it's cheaper than the Hillman science ones the vet floggs and has the same % constituents.

Iams non wheat. Its not advertised as this just check the ingredients on the back.

I am going to start having bloody stools soon!
Bear with me please - just did a comparison for insurance and they seem pretty low - starting at £4.37/month from Healthy Pets for lifetime cover with max £1000 per condition claim (no pre existing condition covered) but with £100 vet excess. Wasn't expected such a high excess. Does this seem all reasonable?

Colin had this last week, took him to the bets who wasn't overly concerned as he said he was really healthy and showed no signs of dehydration. He had a few days of diarrhoea and is ok now .

I wax a bit concerned as it co-invited with his first outing outside

£1000 Per condition is far too low for insurance, especially with £100 excess, I would say. Anything that takes a lot of investigation and then treatment will cost 100’s. An accident with surgery could cost 1000’s as can treatment like iodine treatment for thyroid problems.

@Oldraver - good to hear further assurance that if cat otherwise ok probably nothing to be concerned about.
@Chemenger - would you say £3000-£4000? She is 2-3 years old. Do you know if some plans allow you to change the limit over the years?

Petplan - Classic plan is £10.58 pm for £4000 cover and £80 excess.