The major goal of therapy is to treat the underlying disease, including diseases of the kidney, liver, and lungs. Successful treatment should ultimately resolve the problem of melena. Fluid therapy will be given to replace deficit fluids in the body, and in some patients with severe blood loss and anemia, a whole blood transfusion may be required. Patients experiencing continuous vomiting will need medication both to control the vomiting and to allow them to be able to hold their food long enough for it to digest. In cases of severe ulcers or tumor(s) in the gastrointestinal tract, surgery may be required.
Living and Management
The duration and type of treatment given to your cat will depend on the underlying cause of the melena. Initially, daily blood testing may be required to evaluate your cat for ongoing anemia, which may turn into weekly testing once your cat's health has stabilized. In cases with regular vomiting episodes, hydration will need to be maintained to correct fluid deficits. Watch your cat for the presence of any blood or color changes in its stool during treatment and inform your veterinarian if anything appears unusual, including behavioral changes.
Most patients will recover once the underlying disease is treated. As melena is just a symptom, the overall prognosis will depend on the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease or condition.
The term for a very small cell
The term for black feces that has blood in it
Hemorrhage into the back of the eye
A chemical change that has to do with adding oxygen or something like it
A gland that aids in both digestive and insulin functions
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
The prediction of a disease’s outcome in advance
The protein that moves oxygen in the blood
The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine
A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.
Term used to imply that a situation or condition is more severe than usual; also used to refer to a disease having run a short course or come on suddenly.
Term used to refer to any drug that is used to slow down or stop the clotting of blood for medical purposes.
The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.
The tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach
A type of instrument that is used to look inside the body
The space in the abdomen that holds the major digestive organs in an animal. Normally referred to as the area between the diaphragm and the pelvis. Also referred to as the peritoneal cavity.