Melbourne

~ Obligatory ‘I am not a veterinarian’ disclaimer ~

We have had a little of that, it was a fissure from constipation. But not to the extreme. It was a tiny smear of bright fresh blood as an isolated incident.

It could be so many things so if you find this vet isn’t taking you seriously you are within your rights to see another vet or another practice for a second opinion. You’re around them more and see things the vets don’t. It took me a long time to be believed and figure out Melbcat’s nebulous pain but it turned out there were multiple genuine causes which are now being treated.

It could be an ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, eaten a foreign object, a grass seed worked its way into the anus, ingested a chemical, parasites, bacterial or viral infection, blood disorders, cancer, injury, severe irritation from food intolerances or allergy, polyps, colitis etc

It’s very hard when they can’t talk.

It’s worth looking at everything else surrounding it for clues. If there have been any changes like diarrhoea re the Bristol stool chart, presence and location of any pain, changes in appetite, nausea (lip smacking or reluctance to eat) vomiting or gas, when does it happen? Is the blood bright and fresh which may indicate the issue is down closer to the anus, or is it older and brown, or is it partially digested like coffee grounds? Is there any mucus which may indicate inflammation? Jelly like stool which is extreme inflammation? Weird colour like yellow or green which may indicate too fast transit, or a greasy appearance? Signs of worms?

It sounds overwhelming but maybe just jot down what/when he’s eaten and the time/details of him moving his bowels to see if there’s any patterns or anything unusual. Perhaps give them a sample.

And check if there’s been any warnings about baits or sicknesses like feline panleukopenia/parvovirus in your area. There have been Australian breakouts in recent months.

The more concrete info you have the more of an idea you can get and the harder it is to dismiss.