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Tiny Kitten - Bloody Stool!

post #1 of 10
12/9/10 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Hello, we just adopted a kitten on Tuesday. She is about 10 weeks, maybe 2 pounds, short hair, fixed and all shots except rabies. I THINK de-wormed (I would think the would be among priorities for the adoption agency)

Anywhoo, no sooner do we get her home but she has a bowel movement and we noticed blood in it. It was more poo than I thought a little kitty could produce too, slightly soft to runny but I attributed that to the stress of moving.

I read online that blood in the feces can be an occasional event but if it happens more than a few days, you should see the vet. It's been 36 hours and I believe 4 poops, 3 of which have blood in them, less than the first one did and none as loose as the first.

We have a Sat afternoon appointment at the vet but just looking for some insight until then.

Thanks!!
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post #2 of 10
12/9/10 at 1:37pm
I think there are intestinal parasites that can cause a little blood, but if it's bright red (and I'm guessing it was, or you probably wouldn't notice it), it's likely due to some irritation of the colon or rectum. A cat that has been bounced around from one place to another, fed whatever food was available, and generally not fed properly can have the problem, and it takes a little while to settle down.

That said, we had a cat that had blood in his stool his whole life, on a semi-regular basis.
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post #3 of 10
12/9/10 at 2:15pm
Blood in the stools can have many causes, but in this case I would think it more than likely the cause is worms, given the age of the kitten and the fact that you have just adopted her. Many shelters give kittens a dewormer on the day they leave, and this takes 24 hours to work. And worms in kittens can take some time to get rid of, needing several treatments, so I would not panic unless the problem gets much worse. Your vet will sort it out when you see him. Take a fecal sample with you, in case it helps him.
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post #4 of 10
12/9/10 at 2:50pm
Giardia, an intestinal protozoa, is usually associated with soft bloody stools. They can take a sample right at the vet and there is a quick snap test for it (can't tell you what it costs, my vet doesn't charge me for it). If it comes back negative for that and worms ask them about testing for coccidia and tritrichomonas foetus (two more protozoa).

How are the stools, besides a bit soft. Are they really stinky? Does the kitten have gas?

Firm stools will also cause some bright blood as it can cause little tears in the rectum, but this usually only causes a small amount.
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post #5 of 10
12/9/10 at 2:50pm
Most shelters only deworm for hook and roundworms, it could be any other intestinal parasite
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post #6 of 10
12/9/10 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Wings,

Yes and Yes!! I smelled a strong smell and thought she'd already taken her first poo (at our house) but there wasn't any so I assumed it was gas. Then 2 min later she did go and it permeated the whole room within minutes--it was so stinky! And that one was (sorry this is gross) milkshake consistency, so thick-liquidy. The subsequent poos have been more firm and less smelly (unless I'm just adjusting to the smell) but still have bloody streaks.
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post #7 of 10
12/9/10 at 3:10pm
It could very well be giardia. Yuck!

Do keep in mind, though, that as mentioned constant food changes also make a cat's (and especially kittens) GI really messed up. The vet will decide upon the treatment, but (and you can ask the vet about it, if you wish) you may want to consider starting a probiotic like Bene-Bac. It comes in a tube, and yes the small animal kind works for cats.

Until the vet visit make sure your kitten is drinking enough to stay hydrated and offer wet food to help.

Hopefully it's easy to diagnosis and treat this.
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post #8 of 10
12/9/10 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone!! I wanted to post a pic too just cause I am a proud kitty-mom!



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post #9 of 10
12/9/10 at 3:25pm
Thank you for adopting a black kitten! We always have too many, and they and tabbies are the most common candidates for euthanasia.

Does she have an "angel's touch?" That is a few white hairs. The old belief was that only a solid black cat could be a witch's familiar, so an angel would come and touch any black kitten, leaving a few white hairs and ruining the cat for witchcraft.

By the way, a kitten that age has not fully developed its intestinal fauna and may have trouble digesting anything new.
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post #10 of 10
12/9/10 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Wow you guys are teaching me so much!! I am far from superstitious so black cats don't bother me and yes she DOES have a few white hairs! That is a cool story about the Angel's touch! She is super lovey and purrs SO loud! Her name is Arcee and I say she picked us. My husband 'poked' at the glass and she reached back out at him like a little high five! LOL Lucky I have a cat lover husband!
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