Home Cat q

[akw94]

Hi ladies,
I know there have been a few cat related questions on here lately so I hope you don''t mind me asking one too. I moved out of state a few months ago. Once I ran out of food, I had to start buying some here. The selection is *very* limited, but I did find some good quality food, imo. I stayed away from anything w/meat by-products and those that kept to only minimal grains. I don''t think it''s as good as what I found before but really, the selection is very, very limited so I was grateful to find this. I thought of having the better stuff shipped but that''s just too expensive of an option right now.
It was pretty hot here when we first moved so she wasn''t eating much. That was in June. Now, she wants to eat all the time. Literally, all the time! I only feed her wet food, about 3 smaller cans per day or 1 smaller can and 1 1/2 cans of the bigger size. She used to eat only 2 small cans per day or 1 big can and seemed satisfied. Now, she is constantly sitting by her food bowl and meowing for food. It is quite strange!
In addition to that, one day my dh came home and found her bed (not a regular cat bed but sort of a cat tent that she likes to sleep in) over turned. It also had some drops of blood in and around it. My dh thought that perhaps she had chased a lizard (which we have where we live and they sometimes get in the house) and it got inside her bed, she chased it around which turned it over and then killed it, which caused the blood. Really, we have no idea but it was a theory and we couldn''t think of anything else. Then, I was changing her litter and noticed that there were a few, very light red and very watery drops of blood. Also, she would come in the box while I was in the room and wouldn''t pee or poop but more of these watery, red drops came out. Not much but enough so that it was visible and made me concerned. All within the same 30 minutes. I never noticed this again or blood anywhere else again. This was a few weeks ago. Since then I went out of town and am only noticing the food issues to remain.
So, given the eating and the different encounters w/blood, any ideas? I am going to take her to a vet and am going to work on getting recommendations. Of course, since I''m new here, I don''t have a vet yet.
My dh suggested ringworm, which I know nothing about and had never considered. It made sense though if it causes the animal to eat all the time.

If you have any thoughts, I''d appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!

 

[Elmorton]

I just read a couple articles about worms - from the info you gave, I wouldn't rule it out. Hookworms apparently do cause bloody stools, and they're the worst kind and microscopic. If it's a roundworm or a tapeworm, the 'net seemed to suggest that you can see them, although eggs may be harder to see and will be detected by a vet. If it were me, I'd go in ASAP to get a stool sample - and even if it's nothing, if all else, it gives you a chance to chat about your cat's diet with your vet.

I will say though that our cats do go through eating spurts. Sometimes they act like they're starving, other times they're good. I'm also thinking that if you give your cat entirely wet food, maybe she ate something solid and had a hard time passing it? That might not describe the blood in her pyramid though. I once came home and found blood on Morty's ear, rushed him to the vet, and the vet said that he probably just scratched himself or bumped/scratched against something in the house while playing - she gave me a topical cream but said it was no biggie. So there could be perfectly normal explanations, but considering the worst case scenario is pretty serious, I'd take kitty in to see the Dr.

 

[Haven]

I know you wrote that you are going to take her to a vet, but my advice is to take her RIGHT NOW. Blood, in any form, coming out of your cat is cause for concern.

Good luck. I imagine it is very difficult to get your footing in a new place, but for your kitty''s sake, go to the vet tomorrow.

I hope everything checks out okay! Do come back and tell us what they find.

 

[omieluv]

Ditto what Haven said. Please keep us posted!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/12/2008 2:40:11 AM
Author: omieluv
Ditto what Haven said. Please keep us posted!!

Vet ASAP - there could be various reasons for this which need immediate treatment.

 

[nycbkgirl]

O yeh I would def run to the vet ...but in terms of food...I would talk to the vet about that too...I have a diff breed of cat (hairless sphynx) but I give him dry food free feed so he has food whenever he wants it...and he doesn''t over eat at all as u might think he would...bc I hear that those breeds tend to eat a lot and I find this way makes a difference....in the evening I give him 3/4 of a can (he''s only 6 mos) and he seems to be doing fine....
Otherwise the blood is def a problem n I hope u can get to the vet asap. Good luck!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

We have special food that is suppose to help fight Urinary Track Infections b/c our male cat kept getting them (there would be blood in is urine). Sounds like she might have the same problem which would be the best case situation. Either way I agree take her to the vet! The food has really helped him and promotes good kidney health for both of our cats. We buy it directly from the vet.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/12/2008 8:24:09 AM
Author: Tacori E-ring
We have special food that is suppose to help fight Urinary Track Infections b/c our male cat kept getting them (there would be blood in is urine). Sounds like she might have the same problem which would be the best case situation. Either way I agree take her to the vet! The food has really helped him and promotes good kidney health for both of our cats. We buy it directly from the vet.

Ditto, also has she been spayed Dix?

 

[movie zombie]

get to a vet immediately whenever and always when you see blood in or around your cat''s rear end, in the litter box, or where the cat has been laying.

the wet food is not causing the problem.

the vet urinary cat food often contains a lot of grain which can cause other health issues.

my manx girl kitty has had ongoing bladder infections now for about 7-8 years but it is due to her being a manx. i have taken all my cats off dry food. they now only get quality wet food. i''ve been able to reverse prednisone induced diabetes in the manx cat, seen a reduction of obesity, and see overall better well being on a grain free diet. having had two cats die from urinary disease, two from cancer, and three with health issues that i''m controling with an improved diet, i rue the day i ever only fed them dry food.

please get your kitty to the vet so the appropriate testing can be completed and appropriate treatment can begin.

movie zombie

 

[akw94]

Thanks for your thoughts. As I mentioned, I am planning to take her to the vet and will let everyone know what they say.

Elmorton, thanks for your info. on worms and eating. I need to go read some articles too.
Lorelei, yes, she''s been spayed. I got her from a shelter so all that stuff was done first.

Thanks again! If anyone else has ideas on what the problem may be, I''d love to hear them.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

dixie, let us know! Good luck to you and your kitty!

 

[akw94]

Thanks Tacori! I am calling to find a vet right now!

 

[akw94]

Well, looks like I''ll have to wait a few days. The storm approaching is bad enough for many businesses to close down. But as soon as we''re able, I found a vet that I will take her too.

 

[dragonfly411]

Dixie
Keep us posted. It could be she just ate something, or she might have an infection. Either way, get her in to be seen, and hopefully it turns out just fine!

 

[newbie124]

Date: 10/12/2008 12:04:07 PM
Author: movie zombie
get to a vet immediately whenever and always when you see blood in or around your cat''s rear end, in the litter box, or where the cat has been laying.

the wet food is not causing the problem.

the vet urinary cat food often contains a lot of grain which can cause other health issues.

my manx girl kitty has had ongoing bladder infections now for about 7-8 years but it is due to her being a manx. i have taken all my cats off dry food. they now only get quality wet food. i''ve been able to reverse prednisone induced diabetes in the manx cat, seen a reduction of obesity, and see overall better well being on a grain free diet. having had two cats die from urinary disease, two from cancer, and three with health issues that i''m controling with an improved diet, i rue the day i ever only fed them dry food.

please get your kitty to the vet so the appropriate testing can be completed and appropriate treatment can begin.

movie zombie

Apologies in advance for hijacking!

movie zombie - Do you mind sharing what brand of wet cat food you use? Our boy cat actually recently had his first case of urinary inflammation. There was no blockage (fortunately) and he got better on his own after a few days, but we were pretty worried those first few days!

The vet had suggested maybe putting him on the Rx urinary food, but since this was the first incidence, I wasn''t sure about it so was just going to buy some quality canned food on our own, but I have no idea which one to choose.

He''s had issues before w/ some wet food (goes straight to the litter box after he eats it), so I''m still hesitant to give it to him too often.

 

[akw94]

Well, I took her to the vet to get blood and urine tests. Blood-work came back fine but there''s wasn''t enough urine to get a sample. Now, I have to take her back again for that part. They also want to do a thyroid test to be sure. They don''t seem to have any ideas apart from the testing though. She has lost 1.4 lbs since June and that concerns them. I wonder if she lost it when we first moved here in June. She barely ate b/c it was sooooooo hot and she was adjusting to the new environment. Now, eating is not her problem b/c she always wants to eat. I also wonder if the food isn''t as filling that she gets now. I can''t find stuff that''s as good quality as I used to buy.

So that''s my update-part 1.