Kitten Having Bloody Diarreah

Hi there, I'm new to this site. I'm going to start off by giving some background.

About 8 months ago, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is only 26. She is in a very bad way. The chemo just takes so much out of her. She had to quit her job and struggles to do basic household chores, including caring for her 2 cats. She had considered giving them up at that point; she didn't think it was fair for me to work a twelve hour day (I'm picking up extra shifts to pay the bills with her not working) just to come home and scoop litter boxes. I of course don't mind doing it. I'd do anything to make her happy. But it was her oncologist who convinced her to keep them. He told her that in order for her treatment to be successful she needed to limit her level of stress, and that cat owners statistically have less stress than their non-pet-owning counterparts. So she took that information and ran with it. A few days later I came home from work to find that she had added a tiny little furball named Flower to our family. Flower, for my wife, is the pure essence of hope. She loves the other 2 cats very much, don't get me wrong, but this kitten is extremely special to her.

Flower is about 5 months old now. For the past couple of months she has been having very bad diarreah, sometimes with blood in it. She goes poo on the floor but still pees in the litter box. My wife has noticed the poo but not the blood. Not wanting to stress her out I haven't told her about the blood and I let her believe her own theory that it's Princess (our 16 year old) going on the floor because she has a hard time getting in and out of the box. Now, the diarreah is constant but I only see blood in it once a week to once every other week, and when it happens there's about half an ounce of blood to about 5 or 6 ounces of poo. With money the way it is, we can't afford a vet visit. I have applied for a Care Credit card (one of our friends had suggested getting one to help out with co-pays for wifey's treatment, so I had already done my research) but I am waiting on approval. If I am approved I will have Flower seen ASAP but there isn't anything I can do until then.

Our cats eat Whiskas dry food and Friskies wet for snacks. Flower does get bullied a bit by Oliver (the third cat) and my fox terrier Roscoe, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

I'm just looking for some answers. I need to know how bad it is, and what it could be. Is there anything I can do to help Flower without a trip to the vet, even just to make her more comfortable in the meantime? My poor wife will be devestated if anything happens to her.

Bloody diarreah is a trip to the vet, no way around it.
I understand you are trying to protect your wife, but how would she feel if the cat dies, and something could have been done about it?
Harsh words, I am sorry for that, but it is reality. Let your wife know what is going on and get the kitty to a vet.

Due to the age of the kitten, my first guess as to the cause would be intestinal parasites--like coccidia or giardia. But there are a number of different things it could be--a vet would definitely need to see her. It really sounds like no matter what she is going to need prescription medication to get well.

An idea: contact the local cat rescues in your area, like the private ones--not Animal Control. Explain your situation and ask if they have any suggestions. Many groups have a special fund dedicated to helping people provide vet care for their cats in emergency situations. With the economy being what it is I don't know if any rescues in your area have a fund like this, but its worth a try?

None of the other cats in the house are having diarrhea at all? If not, there's small hope there that it might not be anything contagious or may just be worms. But a test for giardia and coccidia is in order - I'm sure you vet will look for worms anyways. If you are dealing with parasites all of the cats will have to be treated and you'll have to do some major cleaning. Not good news since I'm sure you're tired after work.

Trillcat is correct, you'll have to tell your wife. She'll know somethings up if she finds you giving the cats medicine and cleaning a lot. (I'd be very suspicious if I saw my husband thoroughly cleaning the house! )

It could be a food issue - but that needs to be further discussed with your vet.


A little off topic, but do you have someone to turn to concerning all of this or are you trying to be strong and shoulder it all? I hope you have friends and family to talk to. Cat health issues on top of your wife's illness (plus financial troubles) is going to make you much more stessed.

HOnestly, by not getting the kitten the proper care it needs you are putting your other cats at risk as well.

At the very least you should quarantine the kitten away from the others.

The most you could do is give the kitten up to a shelter so that it can get medical attention.

If you were having a good amount of blood in your bowel movements you would be in the doctors getting checked out...fecal tests are NOT that expensive and if you call your vet I am sure they would be willing to work with you in order to save the life of your cat.

If you look around this forum some more there is plenty of help for people who need to find low-cost vet clinics.


I hate to say it, but if it is anything contagious you are not just risking the death of one kitten, but all three cats...and how do you think that would affect your wife?

Originally Posted by strange_wings

A little off topic, but do you have someone to turn to concerning all of this or are you trying to be strong and shoulder it all? I hope you have friends and family to talk to. Cat health issues on top of your wife's illness (plus financial troubles) is going to make you much more stessed.

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Thanks for the concern, it really means alot. We do have plenty of friends and a very close-knit family. I've always got help if I need it. My mother often comes down and spends the day with my wife to keep her company while I am working long days, and she often does a good share of the housework when she's here as well. Both families have lent us money, mostly at the beginning when we were really struggling to make ends meet. We have it mostly figured out now but we never planned for another emergency.

I have gotten approved for a $500 credit line with Care Credit, so I am going to tell my wife about Flower tonight when I get home. It just seemed like it would be too much stress for her especially when we didn't have the money to do anything about it. But now that we have the Care Credit (thank god) I do plan on telling her.

I think you've recieved some very good advice from some of the other members, so I'll just add some good vibes for your kitten

Best wishes to you all - I also might suggest, if you're working at all with the Cancer Society, talk about the vet issues - they may be able to provide additional assistance or contacts, or at least lend an ear. And, if this is your regular vet, tell them as well - they may be able to help spread out payments, given the situation.

Our normal vet does not take the Care Credit. I found another local vet that does but had to beg and plead for them to see her as they are not taking new patients. They can get her in at 5 o'clock. I have called my wife and explained everything (she isn't happy with me) and she is preparing Flower to go right now. I will let you know how it goes.

Yes please keep us updated!! We are all very concerned for little Flower!!

Originally Posted by iheartmycats

Due to the age of the kitten, my first guess as to the cause would be intestinal parasites--like coccidia or giardia. But there are a number of different things it could be--a vet would definitely need to see her. It really sounds like no matter what she is going to need prescription medication to get well.

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By now, you probably have seen a vet. I wanted to tell you that some intestinal parasites may be difficult to spot even with a fecal exam. We had a kitten with anal bleeding, and a fecal exam missed the giardia, which was detected in a subsequent fecal exam. Best of luck with Flower's diagnosis. You're very good to help your wife care for her cats.

Well, the vet found lots of tapeworm segments, as well as some other parasite (I think it starts with an N but I can't pronounce it, much less spell it). We've got 2 different meds for her; one is a dewormer and the other is to help with the diarreah. I don't think he is treating the other parasite, unless one of the other meds will kill that too, I'm not really sure. Tonight we have to weigh the other cats and the dog and go pick up wormer for them tomorrow, and Flower has to go back in 2 weeks for a follow-up.

I am glad that you found the problem and go the dewormer.

Your babies will all be healthy again!!

I am sure the medicine will probably take care of both parasites. I can't see the vet only treating one parasite and not the other.

I'm soooo glad you found the cause! What a relief! Weirdly I was thinking tapeworm in the back of my head when you were talking about her symptoms. He probably prescribed Droncit, that is what is usually used for tapeworms. Did the vet mention flea treatment? Because thats how tapeworms are transmitted to the cat. If she has fleas and you don't get rid of them she will end up with tapeworms again even after the dewormer.

I'm glad you were able to get help for your kitty, Flower will be much more comfortable now, which in turn will make your wife happier.

Sending lots of vibes that your wife stays strong and beats the cancer soon

Good to hear your cat is well now~
Just for sharing, it's good to get your cat to a vet as soon as possible if you detect anything unusual with his eating habits, behavior, etc. My cat underwent a Sub-total Colectomy surgery which is a surgical operation that removes the colon and joins the small intestine to the rectum to shorten the passage of the intestine last year. It was sad and also costly and if I brought him to the vet earlier, I could have avoided the surgery. So, bring him to the vet and don't wait!