There are numerous reasons as to why your cat's abdomen could start filling up with fluid, thus resulting in a swollen, hardened stomach. Hemorrhaging, inflammation, ruptured bladder; any one of these has the potential to cause your cat a lot of pain or distress, and should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
While quite uncommon, kittens and cats might develop bloated stomachs because of several different reasons: Intestinal parasites (roundworm, hookworm, protozoal parasites) Retaining too much fluid (develops from liver or kidney failure) Overeating (If this is chronic, an underlying disease may be the cause)
When held up under their front legs, their underbellies have an avocado or eggplant shape, says Hannah Shaw, founder of the non-profit Orphan Kitten Club. Healthy round bellies are soft and squishy too. However, a potbelly shape indicates a bloated belly. It may feel hard and stick out, similar to a pregnant belly.
A kitten with a hard, protruding belly is likely experiencing a lot of discomfort and it could be serious. The sooner you treat the underlying cause, the sooner your tiny friend can get back to doing what kittens do best: Having fun and being super-cute!
Intestinal parasites (worms).
Large numbers of worms in the intestine can cause distension of the abdomen, giving a pet a pot-bellied appearance. This is typically seen in kittens since they are more likely to have worms than older cats.
A swollen belly is always a cause for concern, and your cat should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Several health conditions including heart failure, severe infections, cancer, and hemorrhage can result in fluid buildup in the abdomen. These are all serious and life-threatening problems.
Symptoms of False Pregnancy in Cats
Symptoms appear six to 12 weeks after the cat has been in heat and may continue for several months after a false pregnancy has been diagnosed. These symptoms include: Enlarged mammary glands. Brown-tinged fluid or water secretion from the mammary glands.
Dr. Mark Rondeau, DVM, BS, of PennVet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, says that while vomiting is the most visible sign of cat stomach upset, “a change in behavior, such as being less active or not interacting or hiding in unusual places—a lot of those behaviors are common in cats that may have upset stomachs.”
If your pet has any of the clinical signs associated with intestinal blockage, especially vomiting, lack of appetite, or straining to defecate with no stool produced, it is important that you seek veterinary care immediately.
The majority of cats usually poop every 24 to 36 hours. If your kitty poops less frequently, has to strain to poop, or doesn't poop at all, they are probably constipated. It's a common condition among cats and is generally usually mild enough to be treated with at-home remedies.
It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
Fiber, for example, is great for a cat's digestive system, but too much fiber can cause excessive gas. In certain cases, your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic cat food like Hill's® Prescription Diet® that is specially formulated for proper feline digestion.
Simethicone, commonly known as Gas-X® and several other names (see below under “Brand names and Other Names”), is an anti-foaming and anti-flatulent agent used to treat discomfort, pain, bloating, burping, and flatulence caused by excessive intestinal gas in dogs and cats.
Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movements, and is a common problem faced by a large number of cats. Fortunately, most cases of cat constipation are mild and the bloating it causes can usually be treated at home.
Another reason for the belly expansion is due to another biological effect that cats share with their humans: the loss of skin elasticity with age. The excess skin on the abdominal flap may sag more, which is why a primordial pouch is more prominent on older cats.
Stomach Worms Ollanulus tricuspis and Physaloptera species are worms that inhabit the feline stomach. Ollanulus infections occur sporadically in the U. S. and are more common in free-roaming cats and those housed in multiple-cat facilities. Cats become infected by ingesting the parasite-laden vomit of another cat.
Symptoms of tapeworms in cats
The first is to check your cat's faeces. If they have small white 'grains' in them, it's likely your cat has the parasite. These small pieces will be cream in colour and around the size of a grain of rice. If your cat is regularly licking their anus it could mean they have tapeworms.
If your cat uses a litter box, it is easy to keep an eye on its feces. Watch for the following symptoms: Dark, tarry stools may indicate blood loss from where hookworms attached themselves to the wall of the intestine. Diarrhea can occur because worms also take up space within the gut and interfere with digestion.