Symptoms of Intestinal Hemorrhaging in a Pet

Owning a pet can be a joy, but it is also a huge responsibility. Animals, such as cats, can be difficult to diagnose when it comes to illness. Internal bleeding, also called hemorrhaging, is deadly without urgent treatment. It is often caused when blunt trauma or poison damages the animal internally, causing bleeding inside the body. Knowing the signs---such as bleeding from the nose or mouth or extreme thirst---can help an owner make critical care decisions.

  1. Weakness and Nausea

    • One of the main symptoms of internal bleeding is anxiety and nausea, accompanied by weakness and lassitude. The animal may pace, or it may lay around and show no interest in food or activity of any kind. There may be vomiting or diarrhea. The animal may have ingested something, such as rat poison, that is causing it to bleed inside, or it may have been injured. Regardless, if any of these symptoms occur, an urgent visit to the vet is a necessity.

    Blood and Rapid Breathing

    • Another red flag for an immediate animal hospital visit is bleeding from the nose, ears, eyes or in the stool or urine of the animal. The animal's gums may become pale, almost white, and the animal's breathing may be rapid and shallow. If any of these occur, get your animal into the vet immediately. Death may be imminent without treatment.

    Thirst and swelling

    • When your animal shows excessive thirst, drinking forcefully and almost desperately, and then perhaps vomiting and going back for more water, this could be a symptom of internal bleeding. Swelling of the abdomen with tenderness and tightness is a critical sign and can indicate abdominal bleeding.