My cat has black, tarry, bloody stool. Is this an emergency?

Hello. Thank you for your question. I know this must be very scary for you. Generally seeing black stool is a sign that there is blood in the feces. When it is black in color, that means that the blood has been "digested" or is coming from somewhere internally. This is something very serious and you are already seeing some of the issues that will arise. Your cat is probably weak because there is a significant amount of blood being lost. If at all possible you need to take her to a vet ASAP. There are many places that are open on a limited basis or emergency clinics and even vets who will travel to your home. I hope you get the help you need and Please feel free to contact me through a one on one consultation is you have further questions.

Black or tarry stool is a serious and concerning symptom that can sometimes indicate a bleed in the stomach or upper GI tract. Other issues such as parasites, food allergies, or ingestion of certain items may also cause the stool to darken or change colors. If Rowan continues to act oddly, has additional dark or tarry stool, or shows new symptoms of illness, seeking veterinary care in person ASAP is best.

It isn't normal at all, black stools is usually a sign of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. That could be due to a stomach ulcer or pancreatitis for example. A severe infection could also cause this. If the black stools do not get better within 48 hours you will need to take him back to the vet in order to run some tests.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Melena is essentially digested blood in the stool. This can be caused by bleeding in the stomach or intestines caused by ulcers, inflammation, clotting abnormalities, or a foreign body. I recommend having Billy seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine the cause of the bleeding. Your vet can perform bloodwork or an ultrasound to diagnose the cause.

Black stool is concerning as that may indicate a bleed in the upper GI tract such as the stomach. If he is also vomiting and has had this ongoing for several days it would be best to seek out veterinary care in person ASAP.

These are very concerning signs - bleeding from the mouth can be a sign of a serious illness such as heart disease, severe liver or kidney disease, a clotting disorder, or severe dental problems. Combined with the fact that he is just laying down and pooping without realizing it, I would be very worried that he has a serious, life-threatening problem as this is extremely abnormal in cats - it often indicates that they are so weak and sick that they don't notice or care that they are soiling themselves. I would recommend getting your kitty to an emergency vet right away - he/she can do a thorough oral exam, and may also need to do blood work and x-rays to help diagnose the problem and see what can be done to help him.

I would recommend that you find an emergency vet. Dark and tarry stools can indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract, which could be life threatening. I would discontinue the prednisone until she is evaluated by a vet.