⚠️ Cat Vomiting Blood (Hematemesis): In-Depth Vet Guide – 2025 🐱

Hello, caring cat parents! 😢 I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Seeing your cat puke blood—also known as hematemesis—is alarming and always serious. This 2025 vet guide explores the possible causes of blood in vomit, how vets diagnose it, treatment options, and how Ask A Vet can help. Let’s navigate this together. ❤️

1️⃣ What Does Bloody Vomit Look Like?

• Bright red blood (fresh): indicates bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
• “Coffee ground” appearance: digested blood from lower GI bleeding :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Light pink or blood-tinged saliva: may be from mouth or gum bleeding :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

2️⃣ Why This Is An Emergency 🩺

Any hematemesis warrants urgent veterinary evaluation. Even small amounts of blood signal serious underlying disease, and delaying treatment can lead to worsening and life-threatening complications :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

3️⃣ Common Causes of Vomiting Blood

🩹 Gastrointestinal Ulcers

• Sores in the stomach/intestines due to medications (e.g., NSAIDs), stress, infections, or tumors cause bleeding and vomiting :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

🐭 Toxins & Rodenticides

• Rat poisons (anticoagulants) disrupt clotting, leading to internal bleeding and bloody vomit :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

📦 Foreign Body Ingestion

• Swallowed objects—string, bones—can cause tearing of the GI tract and bleeding vomit :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

🦠 Infections & Parasites

• Severe viral (e.g., panleukopenia), bacterial, fungal infections, or parasites (roundworms, hookworms) can damage intestinal lining :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🫀 Organ Disease (Kidney/Liver)

• Toxins accumulate with kidney/liver disease, irritating the GI tract and causing bleeding :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

🎗️ Inflammatory Bowel Disease & GI Cancer

• Chronic inflammation (IBD) or GI cancers like lymphoma may erode mucosa and cause bleeding vomit :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🧠 Trauma, Blood Disorders & Others

• Accidents, clotting disorders, esophageal tears (Mallory-Weiss), dental bleeding, or swallowed blood can all lead to hematemesis :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

4️⃣ Recognizing Red‑Flag Symptoms

• Persistent or large-volume blood in vomit
• Other warning signs: lethargy, pale gums, black stool, fever, inappetence :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Risk factors: ingestion of toxins, foreign objects, known disease

5️⃣ Veterinary Diagnosis 🧬

• Physical exam—check vitals, hydration, gum color
• Bloodwork & clotting tests—evaluate organ function and bleeding risk
• Fecal exam—for parasites or digested blood
• Imaging—X-ray, ultrasound endoscopy for ulcers or foreign bodies
• Upper GI endoscopy for direct tissue inspection and biopsy
• Advanced tests: PCR for viruses, culture for infection, tumor biopsy

6️⃣ Treatment Strategies

💉 Emergency Support

• IV fluids and blood transfusion if needed
• Hospitalization and close clinical monitoring

🛑 Stop Bleeding & Heal GI Tract

• Medications: antacids, proton-pump inhibitors, sucralfate for ulcer healing
• Fresh plasma or vitamin K for clotting dysfunction

🧩 Cause-Specific Treatment

• Ulcers: treat underlying cause or drug exposure
• Foreign body: endoscopic or surgical removal
• Infection: antimicrobials or antiparasitics
• Organ disease: supportive therapy (renal/liver diets)
• Cancer: chemo, surgery, or palliative care

🏡 Home Care & Support

• Small, bland meals; hydration support
• Strict monitoring for recurrent bleeding
• Follow-up testing (bloodwork, imaging)

7️⃣ Prognosis: What to Expect

• Depends on cause and promptness of treatment
• Early treatment of ulcers or foreign bodies → good recovery
• Chronic disease or cancer → variable to guarded prognosis

8️⃣ Preventive Measures

• Avoid toxins, provide safe environment
• Keep collars, strings, and small items out of reach
• Routine vet check-ups for early disease detection
• Parasite prevention and vaccination

9️⃣ When Ask A Vet Can Help 💬

If your cat vomits blood, Ask A Vet can:

• Help assess urgency and next steps
• Advise on whether to go to emergency care
• Support with home care like Bland feeding or hydration
• Clarify what to expect during vet visits

We're available 24/7—don’t hesitate if you feel something’s wrong. Early intervention saves lives! 🐾

🔟 Quick-Reference Table 📊

💡 Dr Duncan’s Final Thought

Vomiting blood is a red-flag symptom in cats. Quick action—diagnosis and treatment—can be life-saving. Whether it’s ruling out toxins or treating infection, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ask A Vet or a veterinarian immediately. Your prompt response can make all the difference. 💖🐾

Dr Duncan Houston BVSc — your partner in feline wellness. Visit AskAVet.com and download our app for expert guidance, 24/7. 📱