Conference misery::feline_v1

    Well, I was having this problem too. I asked a fellow feliner, & she 
    felt that a kitten (which was the case for me) may just have a sensi-
    tive digestive system, or it could be the dye. She suggested I just 
    keep an eye before panicking & taking her to the vet. 
    
    Well, it DID continue, & it was very obvious that this was not dye from
    the food. What I did was just call the vet & ask if I should worry, or
    if I should have her checked out. The vet suggested that I bring in a 
    stool sample so they could see if there were any parasites or worms. 
    THIS IS A COMMON CAUSE FOR BLOOD IN STOOLS.
    
    Well, turns out, she was clean. None of the above. I was begining to
    get concerned. When she'd have the blood, it was accompanied by
    diareah (sp) almost ALWAYS. Callie LOVES milk, so I decided to cut that
    out & see if that was what it was. I had doubts, because she rarely got
    the runs from milk, but it was worth a shot. I stopped the milk, & we
    have had NO PROBLEMS since. Her stools are solid once again, and blood
    free.
    
    Now the only problem is that she CRYS for milk, she really does, too!
    "Miiiiilllkkk MEEEEEEEiiiiillllkkk!" And since she's so young (18 wks
    or so) she tries to get milk from TABITHA, who's never had kittens &
    never will, if you know what I mean!!! %^) Dave felt bad for her, so he
    went down to CVS & got her some pounce, & that solved the problem! He's
    such a good daddy! I think I'll keep him! ;*)
    
    Please let us know how it works out. I do have a friend who's dog had
    the same trouble & he got really sick. Now they have to put a pill in
    his food EVERY DAY, & that takes care of it, he's just fine.
    
    Please let us know how kitty does!!
    
    Bonnie

    
    
      This is getting a little off the original note, but in regards
    to Bonnie's mention of milk - I hear sometimes cats can have problems
    with milk and to try goats milk instead.  This is what I do, I buy
    from time to time goats milk from a goats farm fresh, but it's also
    sold in Health Food stores, as alot of children also cannot tolerate
    milk..
    sorry for getting off the original note...
    
    I have seen blood, I beleive it was in his urine though and being
    a male this was a common problem in some male cats....Thats probably
    another story too, sorry...
    
    Best of luck
    Diana

    
    Diana, I don't think that you were off the original note at all! 
    When Bailey has the most minute amount of milk, he is in the litter 
    box within 15 - 20 minutes and passes blood and mucous with his stool.
    His system just cannot tolerate milk...
    
    

    I have also heard that if a cat is constipated...he could also
    show some signs of blood in the stool from straining.  I suggest
    a call to the vet is in order...
    
    About milk...to wean your cat from milk start by adding a little
    bit of water to the milk and every day add more water and less
    milk.
    
    Sandy

    I was just going to add Sandy's suggestion but she beat me to it!!
    
    When I was growing up (seems like ages ago now that I'm over 30 :^}),
    my mom used to give the cats a little bit of evaporated milk every now
    and again.  They really enjoyed it.  Anyone know if this is too rich
    for a cat?
    
    I have heard that bright red blood in the stool is less a cause for
    concern than dark brown, which would indicate internal bleeding. 
    Bright red blood is surface blood, and could be caused by straining or
    a broken blood vessel perhaps.
    

    
    My kitten had blood in the stool and the vet said it
    was a good idea to bring her in. She was given some
    medication and it cleared right up. Maybe a call to
    the vet to see if a visit is needed right away would
    help...
    When she was smaller she used to love the powdered milk
    for babies... don't know if this would still be a problem
    for cats who can't do regular milk...
    
    ellen/cino/buco
    

    milk substitutes:  My cats go crazy over Coffeemate.  i give them a
    tiny amount (1/4 teaspoon about) to lick off a spoon each morning.
    Holly also likes yogurt.
    

    Roberta,
    
    I always thought the evaporated milk was better...but my vet 
    says it causes worce diahrea then the regular milk.   So we 
    are almost a milk free house...once in awhile I will put down 
    a bowl of 1% milk.....but I also add a little water!
    
    Ellen:
    
    I love the name Buco.  it reminds me of my dad...when I was little
    he always called me "little bucko" because I was so bratty!!!  It
    brought back many memories!!!
    
    Sandy
    
    
    Sandy

    I mentioned the milk idea......he doesn't give the cat
    milk.
    
    Lynne

re: coffee mate - it is loaded with cholesterol-raising fat and is not good
for you or your cat as a friend of mine discovered when she found out her
cholesterol was over 340 and the cats all had high cholesterol as well.  If 
you feed it to the cats, maybe you should try the new "lite" - it's
a little better, we understand.

re: blood in the stool...it can be due to parsites, food/milk intolerances,
and constipation (as has been said).  It can also be a kitten's reaction to
new food when suddenly changed, or it can indicate really serious problems
of the digestive tract.  I'm glad you suggested a vet - it's the only way
to be sure what is wrong.  Kittens have little body mass and a problem gets
life-threatening very fast for them.  "Vet first" is the best policy.

    That's why they only get an infinitesimal amount.
    
    signed
    
    cholesterol level 167, consumer of three cups = three tablespoons
    of Coffeemate a day.
    
    

    Roberta,
    
    I give evaporated milk to my queens sometimes.  During their labor, I
    give them sips of evaporated milk with a tad of Karo syrup in it to
    help with their energy level and keep their calcium levels high.  I
    also give them the milk mixture the first few days after delivery, when
    they are not willing to leave their nests to go eat.  Then, when it is
    time to wean the babies, I mix evaporated milk with canned feline
    growth and some baby food meat and give the resulting slush to the
    babies.  I have not had any trouble with diarrhea as a result of this
    practice.  
    
    Jo

    He's taking the cat (not kitten, BTW) to the vet tomorrow.
    He does feed the red Friskies dry, so he is armed with 
    all of the suggestions :-)  He sends his thanks....
    
    Lynne
    
    

    Hi Lynne, 
    
    Please let us know how things work out!
    
    Bonnie