The cat has a bloated and hard belly. Gradual increase in the volume of the cat's abdomen. Peritonitis and abdominal abscess

If your cat has a large belly, but is not pregnant, you need to find out the reasons for this condition. If this is not done, then it will not be possible to provide the animal with the necessary help, and it may die. The sooner a cat is shown to a veterinarian, the greater the chances that it will be possible to restore its health and well-being in a short time. Problems with the stomach can arise even if the cat is kept according to all the rules and is still young and strong.

Only a specialist can determine why the belly is enlarged. The symptoms of many diseases that cause a cat's belly to grow are similar and therefore self-medication should not be started. Home therapy is a last resort.

Causes of a big belly

A gradual increase in a cat's waist occurs over several months, and sometimes owners are inclined to attribute the phenomenon to natural weight gain from good feeding. However, this condition is usually rare, and most often the animal requires treatment. A big belly if the cat is not pregnant is a pathology.

The main reasons why a cat's belly gradually grows is:

1. Ascites. With this pathology, the cat experiences an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Most often, the disease is one of the symptoms of a disorder in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Also, fluid may begin to accumulate if there are problems with the kidneys and liver. When the pet walks, its belly looks saggy; and if he stands on his hind legs, then due to the flow of liquid contents, the shape of the abdomen changes, and it becomes pear-shaped. The cat has a large belly that does not cause pain when touched.
2. Infectious peritonitis. A dangerous disease that is caused by coronavirus and most often affects young cats. The belly begins to grow against the background of general exhaustion of the pet, due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The disease is incurable and, depending on the form, kills the cat in a month or a year. If the animal is suffering very badly, euthanasia is suggested as the most humane way to stop the pain, which can last for weeks. It is bloating that becomes the main sign of pathology.
3. Pyometra. Only cats are susceptible to the disease. In pathological conditions, the uterus becomes filled with pus and, at an advanced stage of the disease, increases in size so much that the abdomen also grows. Treatment of the disease is exclusively surgical. During the operation, the uterus is removed. The sooner the diagnosis is made and surgery is performed, the higher the likelihood that the animal will be able to fully recover. An animal with a large pendulous belly, if the uterus has not been removed, should be tested for the disease.
4. Malignant tumors. If one of the organs of the abdominal cavity is affected by an oncological tumor, then as it grows, the volume of the abdomen increases. The asymmetry of the pet’s body is very often visible. When the veterinarian feels the abdomen, he most often identifies a dense lump, which is a tumor. Tumors are common causes of a large belly in an older cat. Usually the stomach is not just swollen, one side also sticks out. It is difficult to predict how long a sick pet will live.
5. Obesity. The problem is usually encountered by cats that live in apartments and receive improper nutrition. First, fat is deposited in the groin area, and because of this, the cat develops a saggy, unpleasant belly. If you do not take the necessary steps to restore your cat to a normal weight, there is a high risk of her premature death from cardiac obesity. This increase in body volume in the abdominal area poses a serious danger to the pet.

If your cat's belly suddenly becomes large, you should immediately go to the vet. Such a dangerous condition as acute urinary retention and complete blockage of the intestinal lumen cannot be ruled out. In these cases, only the owner's prompt response can save the pet.

Faced with a change in the cat’s figure and the fact that his belly is too large, the owner should immediately determine the cause of the phenomenon and, if necessary, carry out therapy. The health of a pet depends on the person with whom it lives, and you should not be inattentive to the condition of the animal. Sometimes even two days can decide whether a pet can be saved.

The part of the body called the “belly” is located in a cat between the chest and pelvis. The cat's abdomen contains the following organs: stomach, pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder and intestines.

The cat's stomach is swollen

A bloated belly is usually a sign of some medical condition. Some of the common causes of a bloated belly in a cat are:

• Bloating – bloating of the abdomen due to swallowing large amounts of air
• /megacolon – difficulty with bowel movements due to hardening of feces
• Cushing's syndrome is an endocrine disorder caused by excessive production of cartisol by the adrenal glands.
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) due to heart disease, FIP, liver cancer, liver failure
• Intestinal obstruction
• Worms, especially infection with roundworms
• Obesity
• Pyometra - intrauterine infection
• Bladder rupture
• Tumors of the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines

If you notice that your cat has a bloated belly, you should immediately seek help from your veterinarian to determine the cause. Diagnosis will be based on relevant symptoms and may require a number of diagnostic tests. Based on the diagnostic results, treatment is prescribed.

The cat has a fat tail on its belly

Many cat owners have a question: what is this fold of skin in a cat’s lower abdomen? This fold may look like a pouch; in some cats it is larger, in others it is smaller. The tail of the sphinx is most noticeable. This is a completely normal phenomenon and does not indicate any disease.

The purpose of the fat tail is unclear. Perhaps the belly fold is needed to protect the cat's belly, which contains vulnerable internal organs, during a fight.

There is also an opinion that the presence of a fat tail indicates the cat’s fatness. And even if she looks very thin and slender, but at the same time has a fat tail, she can be considered well-fed.

Cat breeds in which the presence of a fat tail is specified in the standard: and.

Diagnosis of excess weight

You can tell by looking at your cat's belly whether your cat is overweight. If the cat's ribs are palpable during palpation, its weight is normal. If you cannot feel the ribs with your fingers, the cat is clearly overweight.

Many cats love to have their tummy scratched. Your pet may plop down on its back at your feet and demand immediate affection. But if suddenly your pet changes his habits, and when you touch his belly, he shows clear signs of anxiety, this is a reason to pay attention to his well-being.

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There is an opinion among cat owners that bloating is the most harmless ailment that does not pose a threat to the life and health of the pet. However, this is not quite true. After all, bloating in a cat can be caused by various reasons, including serious pathologies that require proper and timely treatment.

Causes of bloating in cats

Most often, a cat's stomach is bloated due to excess accumulation of gases in the intestines and stomach, accompanied by hiccups and loud rumbling in the stomach. This condition can be caused by poor-quality food, rapid swallowing of large pieces of food, high-calorie foods with a high content of dietary fiber, prolonged constipation, and impaired absorption of nutrients in the intestine (malabsorption).

When a cat is bloated, gases accumulate in the cat's intestines.

But there are other causes of bloating in a cat:

• flatulence;
• peritonitis;
• ascites;
• constipation;
• oncological diseases (tumors, for example).

In this case, it is very important to find out the cause of the bloating and prescribe the correct treatment.

Flatulence as a cause of bloating

Excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines can occur for several reasons. It can be caused by unusual or stale food, food high in carbohydrates, or swallowing air while eating. Flatulence is often caused by the consumption of milk and fermented milk products, bread, fatty meat trimmings and lard, fish, and garlic. Due to such nutrition, a fermentation process begins in the stomach, which results in the release of gas that fills the intestines. There is a slight, not very painful bloating of the abdomen. This condition usually goes away on its own. The main thing is to exclude from the diet all foods that can cause fermentation.

Another cause of flatulence is aerophagia (swallowing a large volume of air while eating). Normally, with each feeding, the animal always swallows some amount of air. But it happens that this process is caused by pathological changes in the body.

Psychogenic aerophagia is provoked by stress suffered by the cat. The animal becomes very nervous, begins to quickly swallow food and a large amount of air enters the stomach. Neurogenic aerophagia occurs as a result of pathologies of the teeth and jaw, problems with nasal breathing. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system also cause the reflex of excessively swallowing air.

Severe flatulence can be caused by feeding your cat milk or fatty foods.

Usually, minor bloating does not cause serious harm to the cat's health. But if symptoms such as a painfully swollen abdomen with spread ribs and stretched skin, or the urge to vomit appear, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.

Bloating due to worms

Symptoms of helminthiasis are:

• nausea;
• diarrhea followed by constipation;
• vomiting with worms;
• bloating;
• presence of helminths in feces.

Important. This condition is extremely dangerous for the animal. After all, worms actively reproduce, they become crowded in the cat’s body, which causes general intoxication. To avoid such unpleasant consequences, it is recommended to carry out preventive deworming at least once every six months.

Peritonitis is a dangerous condition that leads to bloating

One of the most dangerous causes of bloating is peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum). This condition can be caused by complications, infections from internal organs entering the abdominal cavity, or rupture of the bladder.

A big belly could be a sign of coronavirus.

Coronavirus peritonitis comes in two types: dry and wet. With the wet form, severe bloating, fever, anorexia, weight loss and apathy are observed. A sick animal always dies 1-1.5 months after infection. With the dry form of coronavirus, the cat’s stomach does not enlarge, but the other symptoms are the same. Death occurs within a year, and there is no cure for this disease.

In old and aged cats, bloating can be caused by some kind of gastrointestinal disease, in which there is penetration of fluid from the stomach into the abdominal cavity. Having absorbed a large amount of liquid, the inflamed tissues swell greatly and the water-salt balance in the body is disrupted. Postpartum complications can cause internal bleeding, which always leads to peritonitis and death. This disease cannot be treated with medications. Only emergency surgery can help.

Ascites as a cause of bloating

Ascites (abdominal dropsy) is the accumulation of a large volume of fluid in the abdominal cavity, without inflammation. This condition can be caused by injuries, heart failure, or disturbances in protein and water-salt balance. It is almost impossible to establish the cause and cure ascites, because fluid constantly collects in the peritoneum.

Symptoms of the disease:

• labored breathing;
• bloating;
• lethargy and apathy;
• heart failure.

To diagnose ascites, the veterinarian punctures the peritoneal wall and removes some fluid for analysis.

Benign and malignant tumors

Often, bloating in cats begins due to a tumor and enlargement of internal organs (liver cirrhosis, spleen cancer). The tumor can be either malignant or benign. But in any case, tumor growth is accompanied by general weakness, diarrhea and vomiting, and dyspepsia. Only surgical removal of the tumor and properly prescribed postoperative therapy can help the animal.

What to do if your cat has a swollen belly

If bloating is caused by flatulence due to poor nutrition, then it is enough to exclude foods that cause increased gas formation from the diet. You can give Espumisan to your animal, calculating the dosage by weight. Acipol or Lactobacterin, Smecta helps to eliminate the accumulation of gases in the intestines. If symptoms of bloating persist, you should consult a doctor.

Flatulence that occurs due to poor nutrition can be easily eliminated.

What to do if bloating is caused by infection, peritonitis, tumor or ascites? Unfortunately, the owner will not be able to help the animal on his own. Qualified specialist assistance or surgical intervention will be required.

Very often, when people decide to take a fluffy little miracle into their home, they are not fully aware of their responsibility. Due to incorrect actions on the part of the kitten's owners, the animal may develop health problems or simply feel unwell. One of the most common diseases in young kittens is gas formation.

The causes may be different. Therefore, new owners should more carefully study the possible consequences of incorrect actions. So, why does a kitten have a bloated belly? There are quite a lot of options. Let's look at them now.

Improper animal nutrition

Unfortunately, most people do not think that the stomachs of small kittens are not adapted to the food that adult cats eat. In this case, tiny pets can be compared to newborn children. However, they are in no hurry to feed babies with the everyday food of adults, but with kittens the situation is different. It is poor nutrition that is the reason for what happens to the kitten. After all, food simply is not digested in their small stomach.

This problem can be solved very simply. These days, taking care of fur babies has become much easier. The stores sell a huge amount of all kinds of food that are designed for the age of the animals.

Constipation in a kitten

Constipation can also be caused by poor diet. It is quite simple to determine that a kitten has a large belly due to the accumulation of feces. If the cause of bloating is constipation, your pet's stomach will be hard and dense.

In this case, it is recommended to purchase special medications that can eliminate the cause of bloating. You can also give the kitten a light massage by rubbing the belly with smooth circular movements. Another good option for eliminating constipation is feeding the animal fermented milk products, which will facilitate easier excretion of feces.

Binge eating

Why does a kitten have a bloated belly? Due to overeating. It is very simple to understand that the stomach is swollen for this very reason. All you need to do is watch your pet. If the animal moves little and sleeps almost the whole day, this means that the problem arose due to overeating. Overfeeding kittens can cause not only a decrease in activity, but also constipation.

Dealing with the problem of overeating is easy. In order for the kitten to receive the right amount of food and vitamins, portions should be prepared correctly. Food should not sit in a bowl 24/7. To correctly calculate the required amount of food, you can contact specialists.

Worms in a pet

Gas formation

Why does a kitten have a big belly? The reason for this may be gas formation. However, this phenomenon is temporary and, as a rule, goes away on its own when the kitten goes to the toilet. You can also help your small pet and try to give him some activated charcoal. To determine that an animal has gas formation, you need to lightly click your finger on the tummy. If the sound is loud, then most likely the problem is in the gases.

Serious diseases of internal organs

So, the kitten has a big belly. Why does this happen? If your pet is eating properly, but its tummy is still swollen, this may indicate serious illness. It is impossible to determine such a disease by eye. Therefore, pet owners must take their kitten to the veterinarian.

Thus, the cause of bloating can be serious problems with the liver, malignant tumors, improper functioning of the pancreas, as well as abnormalities in the functioning of the immune system. In addition, the kitten may become bloated. But in this case, not only the pet’s stomach will show discomfort. The kitten itself will become fat and gain significant weight.

Of course, this is not the entire list of possible causes of bloating in a kitten. Only an experienced veterinarian with special equipment can see the full picture. So, if the animal has become lethargic and drowsy, you should pay attention to this and immediately consult a doctor.

Peritonitis

Why does the kitten have a big belly, but he himself is thin? One of the most dangerous problems that causes bloating is ascites. In this case, the kitten suffers from the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is very dangerous and requires immediate medical intervention.

What to do if a kitten has What to do? It is necessary to determine whether the pet actually has ascites. To do this, it is recommended to pick him up and hold him in an upright position for a while. If the animal’s figure resembles a pear (which occurs as a result of liquid flowing down), and after lowering the kitten’s belly again looks like a ball, then there can be no doubt. Therefore, do not hesitate, go to the doctor.

Conclusion

Now you know why a kitten experiences bloating and gas. The reasons may be different. The main thing is to correctly identify the disease. Some problems can be dealt with on your own, while others will require medical intervention.

In any case, people who want to have a cute pet should understand that this is a huge responsibility. Therefore, before adopting a kitten, you should learn more about proper nutrition and caring for babies, and only then get a pet. The right approach can help new owners protect the animal from most of the diseases listed above.

While stroking your pet, you may notice the firmness of the abdominal muscles. This symptom indicates problems with the digestive tract and requires attention. If your cat has a hard stomach and is acting restless, you should take your pet to the vet as soon as possible, but do not try to fix the problem yourself.

A pet's stomach that is too hard is not normal. Only cases when the animal is frightened can be considered the norm. At the same time, the cat deliberately tenses his abdominal muscles to protect the vulnerable area.

This behavior is typical for animals that have previously been abused by people. This is usually encountered by owners of kittens recently taken from the street. No specific treatment is required, since a hard abdomen in this case acts as a protective reaction and not a symptom of the disease. The problem will be solved over time, when the animal gets used to the house and ceases to be afraid of people.

In all other cases, hard abdominal muscles are a reason to consult a veterinarian. In this case, the behavior of the pet is of great importance. If swelling and hardness of the muscles are accompanied by a loss of strength and difficulty defecating, the cat must be urgently hospitalized.

Hard belly and constipation

Quite often, changes in the tone of the abdominal muscles are associated with constipation. If a cat has a swollen, hard belly and has not had a bowel movement for a long time, the cause of this phenomenon should be sought in the pet’s diet.

Constipation may be associated with helminthic infestation or intestinal obstruction. In the first case, additional symptoms are present:

• frequent vomiting;
• deterioration in wool quality;
• prostration;
• refusal of food.

Intestinal obstruction is a dangerous condition that can lead to intoxication of the animal’s body. Pathology develops due to poor nutrition or consumption of inedible items. Characteristic symptoms of intestinal obstruction are a long absence of bowel movements, refusal to eat and constant vomiting. This condition requires hospitalization.

Changes in muscle tone during pregnancy

In most cases, pregnancy in cats is easy. The cat does not feel any discomfort, but is reluctant to be handled and strains its abdominal muscles when trying to feel it. A very hard belly in a cat may indicate a pathologically developing pregnancy. This condition ends in miscarriage and is accompanied by changes in the pet’s behavior - she refuses to eat, drinks a lot, behaves restlessly and constantly meows. In the early stages, detecting a miscarriage in a cat is problematic, while pregnancy failure in the later stages is accompanied by heavy bleeding.

If your cat has a hard belly after giving birth, you should take the animal to the vet as soon as possible. This is a dangerous sign indicating the development of pyometra. This disease is caused by the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the uterine cavity. Pyometra is accompanied by profuse suppuration, which can be caused by infection of the uterus during delivery.

Symptoms of a dangerous disease:

1. Hard and swollen abdomen.
2. Refusal of food.
3. Increased thirst.
4. Increased body temperature.
5. General deterioration in health.

With pyometra, veterinarians insist on surgical removal of the uterus and appendages. A timely detected disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but only at the beginning of the development of the pathological process.

Other reasons

Among other diseases and conditions that may cause a cat to have a very hard belly are:

• peritonitis;
• abdominal abscess;
• abdominal injuries;
• ascites.

Peritonitis is characterized by inflammation of the abdominal mucosa. The disease is accompanied by suppuration and pain, which leads to a reflex contraction of the abdominal muscles.

Abdominal injuries in cats have no visible manifestations. The animal may hit itself when jumping, which is manifested by an increase in the tone of the abdominal muscles. A dangerous condition is injuries with internal bleeding. Pathology can be suspected only by the presence of blood in the stool and frequent urination. If internal bleeding is suspected, the animal should be transported to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Ascites or abdominal dropsy is an increase in the size of the abdomen due to the accumulation of large amounts of fluid. The disease is treated only in a hospital setting, since it is necessary to install a drainage channel to remove fluid.

The hardness of a cat's abdomen is a dangerous symptom that indicates the development of a serious pathology. You cannot treat the animal yourself; you must contact a veterinary clinic.