Is Cat Poop Turning Black When It Dries a Symptom of Intestinal Bleeding?
If your cat’s poop turns black when it dries, you may be wondering if it’s a sign of intestinal bleeding. In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms, possible causes, and when you should visit the vet. Here are the main factors to look for. If you notice blood in your cat’s feces, you should contact a vet right away.
Symptoms
If you’ve noticed that your cat’s feces have been turning black, this could mean a number of things. A cat’s poop may have dried so hard that the feces have turned black, which indicates the bowel is not digesting all of the food it eats. This could be an infection or it may simply be a symptom of a minor health issue. Regardless of the cause, it’s best to visit your veterinarian right away.
There are several possible causes for cat poop drying up, and the primary treatment for these conditions depends on the severity of the condition. Some symptoms of stomach ulceration include sudden, life-threatening bleeding, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In addition, black tarry stools indicate the presence of blood, and a pale gum suggests anemia. The signs and symptoms of a cat’s poop turning black when it dries depend on what is causing the problem, so a veterinarian should determine the exact cause of the problem to treat it.
Causes
Cat poop turning black when it sloughs off is a common symptom of many different illnesses. This condition, known as melena, is a symptom of a more serious problem. The tarry poop can be either firm or loose and is an indication of bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract. A cat’s poop may even contain blood.
Blood is normally present in the stool as flecks. The amount of blood varies based on the source of the bleeding, but fresh blood in poop is indicative of illness. Bright red blood is typically indicative of bleeding in the lower intestinal tract, but if it is black and tarry, the bleeding has occurred further up the GI tract. It is important to see a veterinarian for further investigation, as some of these symptoms are signs of more serious medical problems.
Treatment
The reason your cat poop turns black after it dries is most likely related to blood in the feces. Whether it is blood that appears as bright red or a black, tarry substance, blood in the poop is a sign of a health problem. If your cat poop turns black after it dries, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
A cat with a dark tarry poop may have a bacterial infection or a tumor in its digestive tract. A bright red blood poop is known as hematochezia, and a dark tarry poop reveals digestive blood. The blood in the upper GI tract is known as melena. If your cat’s poop is bloody, consult your veterinarian to determine whether you need to seek treatment.
If to take your cat to the vet
While black poop is not a medical emergency, it is worth seeking out a veterinarian if it happens frequently. This unusual condition could be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue. If your cat poop turns black when it dries, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be a sign of an underlying disease, or even bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
The first step in determining a medical cause is to determine where the blood is located. While black poop indicates bleeding in the anus, red blood in the stool suggests blood elsewhere in the digestive tract. It can be a sign of Feline Panleukopenia or a bacterial infection. In addition to red blood in the stool, your cat may be showing other symptoms as well, such as change in their behavior.
