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Vet 2025 Guide: Bruising in Cats — Causes, Signs & Vet‑Led Care 🐱🩹
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc — Professional Veterinarian & Founder 💙 Bruising in cats is uncommon but can reveal significant medical issues. In 2025, this comprehensive vet-approved guide helps pet parents spot bruising, understand what causes it—from trauma to clotting disorders—recognize warning signs, and follow through with proper veterinary evaluation and treatment.
🔍 What Is a Bruise?
A bruise (contusion) forms when blood leaks under the skin after blood vessel injury, creating purplish to yellowish marks. In cats, fur often masks bruises, so gently part fur to inspect visible skin, especially in thinly haired areas like ears, belly, inner legs, or mouth ([PetMD](https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/bruising-in-cats?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) 🪡.
👁️ What Bruising Looks Like
- Purplish blotches or black-and-blue patches under the fur (ecchymoses)
- Small pinpoint red spots (petechiae)—especially on thin skin
- Older bruises may fade to green, brown, or yellow tones
- Occur anywhere—look inside ears, mouth, paw pads, belly
- May be tender, warm, or swelling if fresh
🧭 Common Causes of Bruising
- Trauma: Falls, encounters with larger animals, fights, car accidents. Bruising often accompanies other injuries.
- Soft tissue injury: Sprains, strains, muscle bruises from sudden exertion or impact ([WagWalking](https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/soft-tissue-trauma)).
- Clotting issues: Platelet problems, clotting factor disorders, or severely low platelets (thrombocytopenia) due to infections like FeLV, FIV, or immune-mediated disorders :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Vessel abnormalities: Congenital vessel disorders like Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (cutaneous asthenia) cause fragile skin and easy bruising :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Toxins or medications: Rodenticide poisoning or drugs affecting clotting can cause spontaneous bruising :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
- Disease states: Organ illnesses, cancers, or infections that affect clotting pathways :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
🚨 When Bruising Is a Red Flag
- Widespread bruising or bruises without trauma
- Accompanied by bleeding (nosebleeds, tooth bleeding, blood in stool/urine)
- Signs of illness: lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, pale gums
- Recurring bruises or new ones appearing over time
- Young kittens, seniors, or cats on medications like anticoagulants
🔬 Veterinary Diagnostic Process
- Detailed history—injury, medications, bleeding events
- Physical exam—checking for bruising, swelling, signs of systemic disease
- Blood tests: CBC (especially platelet count), chemistry, clotting panel
- Infectious disease screening—FeLV, FIV, tick-borne illnesses
- Imaging: X-rays/ultrasound if internal injuries are suspected
- Bone marrow biopsy or vessel walls evaluation for chronic clotting issues
💊 Treatment Based on Cause
- Trauma/sprains: Rest, cold compress, anti-inflammatories, pain relief
- Platelet/clotting disorders: Address underlying cause—transfusions, immunosuppressives, discontinue harmful meds
- Rodenticide poisoning: Hospitalization, vitamin K therapy, clotting monitoring
- Vessel disorders: Supportive care, monitor bleeding and reduce skin trauma
- Infections or cancer: Antibiotics, chemotherapy, or surgery as needed
🏠 At-Home Monitoring & Care
- Keep cat calm—limit jumping and play until healed
- Check bruises daily: note size, color, warmth
- Watch for systemic signs like bleeding from eyes/mouth
- Record changes using the Ask A Vet app—upload photos for vet review
- Adhere to medications and follow-up lab testing schedule
📋 Case Study: “Mittens” with Spontaneous Bruising
Presentation: 5-year-old female showed multiple bruises on belly and ears, no known trauma.
Diagnostics: Bloodwork revealed low platelets; FeLV positive.
Treatment: Immune suppression with prednisolone and platelet support
Outcome: Bruising resolved over weeks; medication tapered and monitored.
✅ Prevention & Long-Term Vigilance
- Avoid toxins and rodenticides in household
- Keep cats indoors to reduce trauma risk
- Ensure regular vet exams with blood testing
- Monitor clotting if on medications like NSAIDs or anticoagulants
- Early detection of bleeding disorders may save lives
🌟 Why Vet‑Led & Integrated Care Matters in 2025
Integrated support helps with:
- Ask A Vet app: Upload bruise images & lab results, get vet triage remotely
- Woopf calming tools: Soft bedding to prevent self-trauma during healing
- Purrz supplements: Nutrients to support blood vessel and platelet health
