Xander is having some issues

alleygirl · Feb 13, 2012

Could use some vibes for my goofy boy!

Xander is having a small bit of bright red blood and mucus in his stool. I first noticed it a week or so ago and just yesterday pinpointed which cat was doing it. Its not a large amount, but of course I worry.

He has an appointment with his vet on Friday and I dropped off a stool sample this evening so they could go ahead and do a fecal and have the results back before his appointment. He is acting fine, eating fine, etc. No sign of illness except that.

Any experience with this?

ldg · Feb 13, 2012

When Shel had that as a "young man," the vet said it was "most likely" a touch of colitis. We moved to a higher quality food, and the problem stopped. If he hasn't been constipated, it means there's inflammation, I think. It could be IBD, IBS, colitis, or "just" allergies. If he has been constipated, it could be little tears in the veins as a result of hard stool. It's really unlikely it's parasites as he's inside only.... are you feeding a grain free food? Now that they're so easily available, that might solve the problem. :dk:

Carolina's Bugsy just had an issue with this, and it most likely was a little piece of plastic he ate - because it cleared up a few days after it passed. :nod:

:vibes:

!!!!

alleygirl · Feb 13, 2012

I have been feeding Authority food for about a year now because of price, but a few days ago I started transitioning them to a mix of California Natural and Taste of the Wild. Its what they always ate in Virginia and they liked it and did well on it. My only option is to order it online which is why I hadn't been feeding it here. My only option for food in this area is Petsmart and they don't carry either of them. They do mostly just get "junk" wet food though because its all I can afford and they would mutiny if I didn't give them any :lol3: Having to feed and care for a 3rd cat has really put a strain on my pet needs budget.

He has had no constipation that I know of. Riley usually goes behind and "covers things" because he's OCD like that, lol, but until I saw the blood I hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary when scooping.

He has been having an issue with hairballs lately though. I wonder if its related in some way. I plan on having bloodwork done on Friday though, so we'll see.

ldg · Feb 13, 2012

It may just be the transition. That's possible. :nod:

jcat · Feb 13, 2012

Poor Xander. Maybe he's reacting to the tension between Riley and Sassy with constipation or has picked up a bug one of you brought in on your shoes. Lots of :vibes:

that it's just something minor.

carolina · Feb 14, 2012

Bugsy just had this exact thing...... He was very constipated........ AND had eaten a plastic tag that had sort of sharp edges. He had quite a bit of blood and mucus. I am more inclined to think it was the piece of plastic.... but the constipation really made matters worst with the bleeding - he started getting better once the plastic was out, and also when the constipation was gone - so not sure which of the two caused it,of if both together :dk:
For cats with IBD - this can be a flare of it.....
It can also be hookworms, or tape - but again, inside only cats - highly unlikely.......
With formed stools, it is more often than not due to constipation - kitty strains too much.... little vessels rupture and there is bleeding. The production of extra mucus is to help the feces to pass..... also usually helps with constipation (it does with inflammation too).
Watch him in the litterbox - see if he is straining..... See if he cries before he goes in.... If he jumps in, tries to poop, and can't....
How is the poop? Hard? Soft? Big? Normal?
I know you must be worried.... But as someone who has been there just recently..... I have a pretty good feeling that he is going to be just fine..... I would be more concerned if this was bloody diarrhea :nod: :vibes:

alleygirl · Feb 14, 2012

Carolina said:
Bugsy just had this exact thing...... He was very constipated........ AND had eaten a plastic tag that had sort of sharp edges. He had quite a bit of blood and mucus. I am more inclined to think it was the piece of plastic.... but the constipation really made matters worst with the bleeding - he started getting better once the plastic was out, and also when the constipation was gone - so not sure which of the two caused it,of if both together :dk:
For cats with IBD - this can be a flare of it.....
It can also be hookworms, or tape - but again, inside only cats - highly unlikely.......
With formed stools, it is more often than not due to constipation - kitty strains too much.... little vessels rupture and there is bleeding. The production of extra mucus is to help the feces to pass..... also usually helps with constipation (it does with inflammation too).
Watch him in the litterbox - see if he is straining..... See if he cries before he goes in.... If he jumps in, tries to poop, and can't....
How is the poop? Hard? Soft? Big? Normal?
I know you must be worried.... But as someone who has been there just recently..... I have a pretty good feeling that he is going to be just fine..... I would be more concerned if this was bloody diarrhea :nod:

He doesn't seem to be straining or anything and his poop seems well formed and solid, but not dry and hard.

Should know his fecal results in a day or two and will have him thoroughly checked over on Friday.

LDG said:
It may just be the transition. That's possible. :nod:

Sorry I was a bit confusing, lol. I started the transition after I saw the blood the first time.

xocats · Feb 14, 2012

Sending vibes that Xander's vet finds this is a minor, easily resolved issue. :vibes:

:heart3:

ldg · Feb 14, 2012

AlleyGirl said:
He doesn't seem to be straining or anything and his poop seems well formed and solid, but not dry and hard.
Should know his fecal results in a day or two and will have him thoroughly checked over on Friday.
Sorry I was a bit confusing, lol. I started the transition after I saw the blood the first time.

Oh, well then that isn't it. :lol3:

xocats said:
Sending vibes that Xander's vet finds this is a minor, easily resolved issue. :heart3:

alleygirl · Feb 17, 2012

Xander's vet visit went well today. He was SUCH a good boy :clap:

The vet said she wished every cat was as easy-going as my boy. He just sat there and let her poke around and didn't even struggle or anything when she had to take the hair clippers to shave a bit of fur to draw blood.

His fecal was negative for standard parasites, etc. and she didn't notice anything unusual when she did a physical and rectal exam. His blood results will be back by Tuesday. Once we get that, she will decide if anything further is needed.

She did put him on a round of metronidazole and some powder probiotics to put on his food. Keep your fingers crossed that this takes care of his colon inflammation and that his blood tests are normal.

Will keep you posted.

eilcon · Feb 18, 2012

Sorry to be late coming to this. Not surprised to hear Xander did so well at the vet. I remember the first time I took him to the rescue's vet, she commented on how well-behaved and easygoing he was. He head bumped everything, even her stethoscope. I'll be thinking of him and sending vibes.

alleygirl · Feb 18, 2012

Xander won't eat his "treats"

I tried crushing them up and putting in his wet food, mixed with lunchmeat, tuna juice, everything I can think of but he just won't go for it. I'm going to have to call the vet on Monday and see if there is another option.

ldg · Feb 18, 2012

You don't feel comfortable pilling him? You know the tricks for pilling a cat?

alleygirl · Feb 18, 2012

LDG said:
You don't feel comfortable pilling him? You know the tricks for pilling a cat?

I would just do that, but these are chewable treats and far to large to poke down him. If you try to break them up then they just crumble into powder and small bits. He is supposed to have 2, twice per day.

ldg · Feb 18, 2012

Oh, sorry. I thought you were talking about putting metro in treats or something. Yes, I guess you'll have to call the vet! What is this for?

just mike · Feb 18, 2012

AlleyGirl said:
Xander's vet visit went well today. He was SUCH a good boy

The vet said she wished every cat was as easy-going as my boy. He just sat there and let her poke around and didn't even struggle or anything when she had to take the hair clippers to shave a bit of fur to draw blood.
His fecal was negative for standard parasites, etc. and she didn't notice anything unusual when she did a physical and rectal exam. His blood results will be back by Tuesday. Once we get that, she will decide if anything further is needed.
She did put him on a round of metronidazole and some powder probiotics to put on his food. Keep your fingers crossed that this takes care of his colon inflammation and that his blood tests are normal.
Will keep you posted.

I've been following this thread Alley but am just getting around to responding. I am glad he had a good check up. I'll be looking for your update when you get the blood results back. Sending good vibes

alleygirl · Feb 19, 2012

LDG said:
Oh, sorry. I thought you were talking about putting metro in treats or something. Yes, I guess you'll have to call the vet! What is this for?

She thinks its colon inflammation causing the blood and mucus so gave him the flagyl for inflammation and the probiotic powder (which he does eat!) as well.

finnlacey · Feb 19, 2012

Are you aware of a condition called Megacolon? I don't know much about it but that's what it sounds like.

alleygirl · Feb 20, 2012

Spoke to the vet today and Xander's bloodwork results are in and they are GREAT! Said he looked perfect on paper :clap:

Now I've just got to get him to take his meds, lol. Going to go get some pill pockets and try that. Its really the only option left to get these down him. Fingers crossed that I can trick him

Once he takes his course of meds and I get him switched completely over to the better food (a few more weeks until the mix is gone) then we'll see if further tests/treatment is needed. Obviously if something changes for the worse between now and then I'll have him in sooner. She mentioned trying him on a Hills diet but I really want to avoid that if I can and see if the better quality and 1/2 grain-free will make a difference first.

So glad his tests were ok though. Mommy always worries!

ldg · Feb 20, 2012

Paula, that is wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Xander is having some issues

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