Cat With Bloody Mucus

Bloody mucus in cats may be a sign of a serious condition, such as a respiratory infection or lung cancer. Bloody mucus may be present in the stool of the cat or in the membranes of the nose.

  1. Lung Cancer

    • Cats may develop lung cancer from tumors elsewhere in the body that may metastasize (spread) to the lungs. Skin cancer and bone cancer in cats are two types of cancer that may spread to the lungs. The symptoms of lung cancer in cats may depend on the type of tumors, the number of tumors and the size of the tumors. The symptoms associated with lung cancer may include shallow breathing, lethargy and coughing. In some cats, bloody mucus may be brought up with severe bouts of coughing. This usually occurs in cats with more advanced lung cancer. As this condition worsens, the amount of bloody mucus may increase, and cats will eventually experience severe weight loss and death.

    Colitis

    • Colitis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the lining of the colon is present. Colitis may be a chronic condition, or the cat may experience a sudden onset of symptoms. Colitis in cats may be caused by conditions such as cancer, bacteria, parasites, pancreatitis and stress. The symptoms of colitis in cats may include diarrhea, frequent defecation, straining to defecate, vomiting, dehydration, abdominal pain, constipation and reduced appetite. One of the first symptoms that many cat owner's notice is bloody mucus in the stool of the cat. Bloody mucus in the stool of cats is an indication that the large intestine is irritated or inflamed. Cats that are not treated for this condition may experience a worsening of symptoms and severe weight loss. Your veterinarian may examine a sample of the cat's stool, do blood work (such as a complete blood count) and perform an ultrasound to rule out cancer.

    Nasal Discharge

    • Cats may develop conditions that can cause sneezing and discharge of bloody mucus from the nose. Some conditions that may cause a discharge of blood mucus from the nose are allergies, respiratory infections, tumors or dental disease. If your cat has a bloody mucus in the nose, consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. According to Petplace.com, other symptoms that may require immediate treatment when accompanied by bloody mucus are a foul odor from mouth or nose, gagging, bleeding from the nostrils, swelling of the nose, loss of appetite, lethargy, weight loss and excessive swallowing.

    Eye Infections

    • According to Peteducation.com, a healthy cat should have moist, clear eyes. Cats are sensitive to infections caused by bacteria that grows on mucus. The symptoms of an eye infection in cats may include bloody mucus in the eyes, redness and swelling. The presence of bloody mucus in the eyes indicates an infection is present and may need an antibiotic ointment.

    Considerations

    • Cats that suffer from bloody mucus in the eyes, nose or the stool should be evaluated by a veterinarian. This will ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan and identify any underlying conditions that may cause bloody mucus.