How do vets test for blood in cat stool and what methods are used?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The photo is very helpful- I can definitely see the blood and mucus in the stool. Certain liver and pancreatic conditions can cause this, as well as intestinal inflammation. Additional tests I recommend are pancreatic and liver function tests, bloodwork to determine nutrient absorption by the intestines, x-rays, and even an ultrasound. The most aggressive diagnostic would be an exploratory surgery with biopsies. You can talk to your vet also about changing your cat’s diet and adding probiotics. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have!

Thanks for adopting Eli. Blood in the stool without constipation is often due to intestinal parasites. Please take a sample to your veterinarian and they will look under the microscope for parasite eggs. If they find some they will prescribe the correct dewormer for Eli. If there are no parasites and this continues Eli should go in for an exam. He could have an anal infection, rectal polyp or intestinal inflammation causing the blood. Cats do have blood in the stool more often than other animals so if he's normal and this only happens once in a while I would just keep an eye on him, and bring him in if it is a constant issue. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Eli.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Barb. I'm glad to hear that she is still eating and acting like herself. If a cat experiences a bit of difficulty passing a bowel movement, they will strain. This can irritate the colon resulting in bright red blood streaks on the feces. Contact you veterinarian in the morning. Fecal testing will likely be recommended to rule out any intestinal parasites causing the blood. A diet modification may be needed to make it easier for her to pass stool if this becomes a repeated problem for her. You can add canned food for the extra moisture content or your veterinarian may recommend a higher fiber food or supplement. I hope this information helps!

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Your kitties probably have intestinal parasites. The best is to have a sample analyzed by your veterinarian. In the meantime, you can purchase wormer for kittens at Petco. The package will have very good directions on how to use the wormer. Take care.

It is possible that this particular stool was difficult to pass and you helping to remove it may have caused a small amount of bleeding from the rectal tissue. Cats can become constipated, and if she has been passing less stool than usual, straining to defecate and had a decreased appetite I would recommend seeing a veterinarian. There are some other things that can cause blood in the stool as well including intestinal parasites, colitis or even inflammatory bowel disease. If the blood is persistent you should make an appointment to see your veterinarian as well.

First off, I love Katniss Everclean's name! One option might be to confine whoever you think is the most likely culprit to a bathroom with a litter box and wait. This could take awhile if you choose wrong, and it can be a little stressful for a cat to spend a day confined so you may not want to go this route if any of your cats are easily stressed. I have also heard of veterinarians shaving up small pieces of different colored crayons (non toxic!) and putting the shavings into canned food to determine which cat might be having diarrhea or gastrointestinal issues. You probably don't have to worry about rushing to the vet if it is just a drop or two of blood in otherwise normal stool, so you could also just continue to monitor and see if you happen to catch someone in the act. If it is getting worse (i.e. if there is a large amount of blood or diarrhea) it should be easier to determine who the culprit is. Good luck - I hope you figure it out!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Bloody stools can be observed with conditions such as colitis, gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Smokey evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may choose to check for parasites and to start medications for diarrhea depending on the results. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!