Cat with Bacterial Overgrowth, More Blood, Help?

About a week or so ago I took Star to the vet for bloody diarrhea, my vet ran a fecal testing (a 4 way) and found a bacterial overgrowth, I got other stuff done too and it racked up being a few hundred dollars. I was given metronidazone and a probiotic. I followed all instructions and today Star ended both medications...well, all is well except she has soft stools (not diarrhea) and a sort of thin muscus with a drop or two of lightly colored blood. I am out of money for the vet. What can I do?

Blood in stool is never a good sign. I would look up a different vet (usually, if you are a new customer, they give you free first exams or at least discounts). 

What are you feeding her?

Bacterial overgrowth thrives on carbohydrates and the thickeners added to things like cheap canned cat food, so best have Star stay as far from them as possible. Do not give her any kibble. Go for grain-free, additive-free high quality canned food like ZiwiPeak or Hound and Gatos. Cheaper to feed raw food.

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, I can not afford any more vet visits right now as my money is very tight (rarely happens but now it is).

Star eats Taste of the Wild River Canyon kibble and Friskies Classic Pates. Star has ate this for about a year now and does great on it. I know its not the best things out there, but money is tight...I'm doing the best I can. Certainly better than Meow Mix?

Star use to eat raw. She hated it. I can try again though.

Oh and the slightly bloody stools (like 1 drop or less) has been there since I took her to the vet. Vet said cats with bacterial overgrowths often have that.
Not to gross you out, but this is what it looked like last night. Yesterday was normal. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help!

eek!

If the vet says ok, then hopefully it is.

Can you stop the kibble? Friskies classic pates are actually quite ok. And maybe you can try all the known tricks (on that link I sent you) to introduce some raw meat. We don't care if she hates it, as long as she eats it, it will be her best chance of getting rid of that overgrowth

You could give her more probiotics (have to google what people give cats for a recommendation), plus lactoferrin (helps against bacterial overgrowth) and/ or colostrum, sprinkled on food.. Both taste like milk and are usually well liked.

Did the vet say anything about the underlying cause of this?

Yes,

The kibble for now has been stopped. I was feeding her just kibble prier to the illness (ran out of canned food) and I had to buy more a few days ago but didn't want to upset her stomach further by a 'new' food. She loves the turkey and giblets food. I normally feed her Instinct.


My vet and I both think it's random. She said that some times cats can just get a upset stomach and then lose their good bacteria or cause a overgrowth (which is what Star went through). Her diarrhea has stopped though and no more 'smears' on things. I know yuck, but this is life with animals when they're ill.

She acts totally fine except for the drop of blood?