No one wants to experience finding blood in their cat's vomit. What does it mean? Where is it coming from? What's the next step? In most cases, a cat vomiting blood is a medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary intervention. In this article, you'll learn what bloody vomit looks like in cats, conditions associated with a cat throwing up blood and what to expect based on your vet's diagnosis.

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer. But bloody vomit, otherwise known as hematemesis, isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. The most obvious sign is seeing streaks of fresh, bright red blood, but bloody vomit can also contain blood clots or digested blood, which can look like coffee grounds. If you suspect your pet may have blood in their vomit, reach out to your veterinarian immediately.

Depending on the cause, cats who are vomiting blood may lose their appetite or show signs of pain or discomfort. They may also hide. If a cat is vomiting blood due to a bleeding disorder, they may have signs of bleeding elsewhere, such as bloody or very dark stool or unexplained bruising.

Several conditions may be associated with a cat throwing up blood. These can include:

• Primary gastrointestinal (GI) problems (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal parasites, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, stomach or esophageal ulcers, GI tract trauma, etc.)

• Foreign body stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines

• Metabolic diseases, such as kidney or liver disease, Addison's disease or pancreatitis

• Poisoning or toxicity from unauthorized medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories), heavy metals, toxic plants, rat poison or pesticides

• Neurological disease from head trauma

• Septic shock from severe bloodstream infections

• Heat stroke or severe burns

• Major surgery

• High blood pressure

• Blood clotting disorders

• Snake bite

One of the most important differentiations is whether your cat is vomiting blood from the GI tract, spitting out blood from the mouth or coughing up blood from the respiratory tract. Your vet will examine and run tests on your cat to determine where the blood is coming from.

At your appointment, the veterinary care staff will assess your cat's vitals and take an oral history from you. The vet will conduct a physical examination and recommend testing and/or treatment based upon their findings.

Testing

Your vet will likely recommend the following tests:

• Blood tests to assess blood cell health and internal organ function

• Urinalysis to assess kidney function and lower urinary tract health

• Imaging studies, such as abdominal ultrasound and radiographs (X-rays), to look for any GI disease or foreign bodies in the GI tract

• Blood pressure monitoring

Additional testing may include:

• Fecal flotation test to check for parasites

• Coagulation profile to check for blood clotting

• Bile acid testing to check for liver disease

• ACTH (adrenal function test) to check for Addison's disease

• Endoscopy to evaluate the esophagus and stomach, +/- biopsy

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Your vet may administer medications to reduce nausea and protect the GI tract lining, such as antacids, sucralfate, maropitant or antibiotics if indicated. They may also recommend a highly digestible food or a source of prebiotics or probiotics to support the gut microbiome and promote GI health.

Beyond that, treatment is disease-specific. For example:

• Vitamin K for a clotting disorder (and a blood transfusion if needed)

• Deworming for intestinal parasites

• An oncologist referral for suspected cancer

• Surgery for a GI tract obstruction