Bloating in a cat: causes, symptoms, consequences, how to avoid relapses

Representatives of the cat family are animals of extraordinary beauty, attracting the eye with their grace and plasticity. However, owners often begin to notice that their pet is losing most of its grace, its tummy looks like a ball, and because of the pungent odor that the pet emits, it is impossible to be in the same room with it.

What to do?

Bloating is an abnormal enlargement of the abdominal cavity. The term usually refers to abdominal enlargement rather than simple fullness. In a cat, bloating can be a consequence of poor nutrition or a symptom of a large number of diseases, including fatal ones. The most common causes of this phenomenon are discussed below.

Coprostasis

Constipation, or coprostasis, is a blockage of the large intestine with feces. The causes of coprostasis may be the following:

A sharp transition from mother's milk to other foods.
Binge eating.
Eating bones, especially heat-treated ones.
Low protein content in the diet.
Accumulation of hair in the gastrointestinal tract (when licking itself, the cat swallows some hair).
Dehydration from not drinking enough.

and:

A large number of worms.
Prostate enlargement (in males).
Abscess or cyst in the intestinal tract.
Obesity.
Problems with intestinal motility.

The norm is considered to be stool once a day. When feeding natural food, periodic absence of stool for 3 days is acceptable.

Symptoms:

Oblong lumps can be felt in the abdomen.
Vomiting (often with constipation from wool).

Treatment:

Warm water enema.
Vaseline oil - 1 ml per kg of body weight at intervals of 8-10 hours orally (it is important to avoid getting into the lungs).
Magnesium sulfate – 20 ml of concentrated water solution, orally.

Helminthiasis

It is almost impossible to protect a cat from worms. A pet can pick them up through contact with outdoor shoes, from an eaten insect, from raw or undercooked fish or meat. They affect internal organs. Symptoms:

Bloating.
Constipation alternating with diarrhea.
Worms in feces indicate a large number of them in the body.
Nausea.
Vomiting with worms.

Treatment consists of using anthelmintic drugs for external and internal use.

Panleukopenia

Feline distemper, or panleukopenia, is caused by one of the parvoviruses. Summer and late autumn are the most favorable times for the spread of the virus. Its carriers can be blood-sucking insects, ticks and healthy animals.

2–12 days after the virus enters the gastrointestinal tract, it affects the intestinal mucosa, lymphoid tissue and bone marrow.

In animals older than 3 months, the disease causes the following symptoms:

Body temperature 40–41 degrees.
Weight loss.
Refusal to drink despite being thirsty.
Vomit.
Diarrhea.
Bloating.
Severe abdominal pain.

About a week after the onset of symptoms, the cat has a 50% chance of recovery generally. If the temperature drops to 37–38 degrees, the likelihood of death increases. If a kitten from 1 to 3 months is infected with parvovirus, the probability of death is close to 100%.

When diagnosing panleukopenia, other diseases with similar symptoms should be excluded:

Poisoning.
Non-contagious gastroenteritis.
Lymphosarcoma.
Toxoplasmosis.

When treating panleukopenia, depending on the nature of the course, the following are used:

Drugs against the virus.
Drugs that activate the immune system.
Drugs that support the functions of the cardiovascular system.
Antiemetic drugs.
Broad spectrum antibiotics.
Drugs that restore electrolyte balance.
Painkillers and antispasmodics.

During the recovery period, the following diet is necessary:

Fresh lactic acid products.
Rice water with the addition of boiled egg white.
Puree soups from cereals, vegetables with the gradual inclusion of boiled minced meat.

Immunity after illness lasts 3–4 years. Prevention consists of vaccination and hygiene.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum during a general severe condition of the body is called peritonitis. The cause is usually the penetration of infection into the abdominal cavity from the organs. This disease is often caused by a coronavirus. There are 2 forms of coronavirus peritonitis – wet and dry.

Peritonitis

The wet form leads to death 1–1.5 months after the onset of symptoms:

The abdomen is enlarged and soft.
Fever.
Lethargy.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.

The dry form leads to death a year after the onset of the disease. The symptoms are the same as with the wet form, with the exception of an enlarged abdomen. There is no treatment for coronavirus peritonitis; sick animals must be euthanized.

Coronavirus usually enters a cat's digestive tract from the feces of an infected animal. Not all carriers of the virus get sick. Stress can provoke disease in healthy carriers. Most often, kittens from 1 to 4 months get sick. Predisposition to the disease is inherited.

Prevention:

Avoiding stress.
Avoiding crowding of animals.
Maintaining hygiene rules.

Abdominal dropsy, or ascites, is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity without an inflammatory process. The reason for this may be:

Heart failure.
Liver failure.
Disturbances of water-salt and protein metabolism.
Abdominal wall lesions.

Symptoms:

Bloated belly
Reducing bowel sounds.
Difficulty breathing.
Difficulty in cardiac activity.
Inactivity.
Yellowness of mucous membranes.

Treatment:

Diuretics.
Cardiotonic drugs.
Pumping out liquid.
Limiting water and salt.
Protein diet.

In case of acute urinary retention, the bladder may rupture, its contents may enter the abdominal cavity and peritonitis may occur. Urinary retention is not always easy to notice, as many litters instantly absorb urine. If your pet assumes a characteristic posture for urination very often, it means it is not happening. In this case, one of the following treatment options is urgently required:

Bladder catheterization - insertion of a tube for the free flow of urine.
Cretrostomy - making an incision for the free flow of urine.

Both treatments are performed under general anesthesia.

In the article I will list the main reasons why a cat has a swollen belly (constipation, gas, disease, etc.). I'll tell you how to help your pet and when you should contact a veterinarian.

Bloat can happen for many reasons, and some of them can be life-threatening for your pet.

A kitten's belly may become bloated due to certain foods. Often, flatulence (accumulation of gases in the intestines) results from feeding your pet milk and dairy products (especially for adult animals).

The cause of bloating may be the high content of carbohydrates in the menu: wheat, corn, etc.

Constipation is an accumulation of stool that becomes dry and hard and cannot be passed out on its own. This leads to intoxication of the body, and gases begin to accumulate in the intestines, which cause bloating.

Constipation occurs for many reasons:

incorrectly composed diet;
intestinal obstruction;
accumulation of wool in the stomach;
congenital anomalies;
obesity and inactivity.

We suggest you read: Symptoms of worms in cats, how to recognize them by signs, treatment. Constipation can cause bloating in a cat.

Parasites actively multiply in the pet’s intestines and cause intoxication. Along with bloating, the cat also experiences other symptoms: vomiting, bowel irregularities, and the presence of worms in the feces. Moreover, the cat may be thin, but with a bloated intestine.

The animal eats a lot

Cats that eat very greedily and eat a lot often suffer from flatulence. At the same time, they swallow food without chewing it, which leads to large amounts of air entering the intestines and stomach. As a result, the intestines can swell to incredible sizes. Usually the animals themselves who live in shelters or nurseries eat so greedily.

Overeating leads to bloating in animals

Enlarged intestines can be a symptom of serious diseases of the internal organs:

Pyometra. With this disease, pus accumulates in the cat's uterus, which is accompanied by an enlargement of the abdominal cavity. Associated symptoms: depression, fever (not always present), discharge from the loop.
Peritonitis. An enlarged abdomen or ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) accompanies the wet form of coronavirus infection (FIP).
Tumors. The volume of the abdomen may increase significantly due to a malignant tumor in the abdominal cavity.

Bloating can occur with intestinal obstruction. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery. Some diseases can cause bloating

Now let's talk about what to do to eliminate a bloated belly in your pet. The method of eliminating bloating depends on the root cause of this condition:

If flatulence was caused by poor nutrition, it is necessary to exclude all gas-forming products (primarily milk) from the pet’s diet. You can also give your pet Espumisan, Lactobacterin or Acipol.
In case of constipation, it is necessary to exclude obstruction. If it is not there, the pet is first given Vaseline oil, and if it does not give an effect, then you can use laxatives (Lactusan, Duphalac, etc.).
If the bloating was caused by helminths, you should give your pet a drug against these parasites. The following drugs are most effective: Milbemax, Kanikvantel, Prazitel, Drontal. In case of severe infestation, the medicine is given twice, with a break of 10 days.
If the bloating was caused by overeating or the cat greedily swallowing air while eating, you can first fill the dry food with warm water. It is also recommended to provide your pet with constant access to food (in this case, a strictly daily amount is poured into the bowl per day).

In the event that an enlarged abdomen is the result of diseases of the internal organs, it is necessary to show the pet to a veterinarian.

Treatment of a cat should depend on the diagnosis

If your pet exhibits symptoms such as vomiting, pain, and drooling along with a bloated belly, you should consult a veterinarian.

The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests and examinations (blood tests, ultrasound, x-rays, etc.), after which he will prescribe the appropriate treatment:

A pathological condition such as pyometra requires immediate surgical intervention. During the operation, the doctor carefully removes the uterus along with the pus that has accumulated in it.
If the abdomen has become enlarged due to infectious peritonitis, the doctor will prescribe supportive treatment: antibiotics and corticosteroids. Also, with the wet form of FIP, the fluid that accumulates in the abdomen is periodically pumped out.
If a cat has an obstruction, the doctor will prescribe an immediate operation, during which the root cause of this condition (foreign body, tumor, etc.) will be eliminated.

Symptoms

If the cat is in an acute condition, then all the symptoms will be pronounced, and it is impossible not to notice them. But often, the animal experiences only a slight malaise, and the fact that the cat has a stomach ache becomes clear only after a certain time, when the animal loses weight and stops cuddling and playing. That is why even the slightest deviation from the norm of a pet’s behavior should be alarming.

Signs of abdominal pain and digestive disorders include:

The cat is hunched over, or cannot lie still, avoiding pressure on the stomach.
The animal moves less, does not play, and sits in one place.
Elevated temperature - more than 39°, in kittens - more than 39.5°.
When you try to stroke the cat's belly, he resists.
On palpation, bloating is felt, the cat’s stomach is dense and seething.
The cat eats less or refuses to eat at all, which indicates a serious condition.
Loose stools, diarrhea, may be mixed with blood, stools with mucus.
Vomiting can also be with blood.
When your cat goes to the toilet, he may moan or make sounds that indicate painful bowel movements or urination.
The cat is losing weight.
The wool looks worse and loses its shine.
In case of serious poisoning, convulsions and foam at the mouth are observed.

Symptoms of gastritis: the cat does not eat or eats little, does not move, often vomits, there is a bad smell coming from the mouth, diarrhea, a swollen and rumbling stomach.
Symptoms of enteritis: diarrhea, stool with particles of undigested food, mucus or blood, apathy, painful abdomen, bloating, loss of appetite, poor coat, painful bowel movements.
Symptoms of poisoning: refusal to eat and drink, foam coming from the mouth, convulsions, the animal moves little.
Symptoms of panleukopenia: vomiting, sometimes with blood, diarrhea, lacrimation, fever up to 41°, due to abdominal pain, the cat sits hunched over or lies on its side, often sits next to a container of water, but does not drink; the animal suddenly loses weight.
Symptoms of helminthic infestation: painful stomach, loss of appetite, thirst, the cat is less active, stool with mucus, sometimes also with blood, vomiting, sometimes vomiting with worms, constipation followed by diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss.
Symptoms of pancreatitis: lethargy, fever, severe vomiting and diarrhea, lack of stool during vomiting, dehydration, difficulty breathing, very painful stomach.
Symptoms of food allergies: itchy skin, skin rashes, nasal congestion and discharge, vomiting and diarrhea.

All of the above diseases are accompanied by abdominal pain of varying degrees of intensity, and this is an incomplete list. Many diseases have similar symptoms, in addition to abdominal pain, and their diagnosis should only be carried out by a specialist.

When is self-medication possible?

It is possible to treat bloating in a cat without involving a veterinarian only if there is simple flatulence in which there is no manifestation of any other disease. In other cases, an immediate visit to a veterinary clinic is necessary. Answering the question of what to do if a cat’s stomach is swollen, we can advise the following :

Hilak Forte - Give 1 drop per 1 kg of weight once a day, until complete recovery;
Smecta;
Enterosgel;
Children's espumesan.

All 3 drugs are selected in a dosage that is calculated based on the weight of the pet.

A bloated belly in a cat is a dangerous condition and its cause must be identified. This is often a symptom of a serious injury. The problem should be resolved with the involvement of a veterinarian. If the cat begins to bloat before our eyes, and there is no urinary retention, it is necessary to give medication for allergies, since this is most likely it. As soon as the attack subsides, the size of the abdomen will return back, and everything will be normal.

How to recognize allergic contact dermatitis in a child

The contours of the inflammation often coincide with the outlines of the object that caused the irritation. The rash spreads little beyond the area of skin that came into contact with the causative factor. The skin here becomes red and swollen, very itchy, blisters, wounds and crusts appear.

Fungal and bacterial infections easily attach to wounds and suppuration occurs. Babies may experience an increase in general temperature.

Frequent exacerbation in the same places leads to unpleasant outcomes: areas of increased or decreased pigmentation, scars, thickening and roughening of the skin.

If you notice a rash or red spots on your child’s skin, be sure to see a doctor to get tests done to determine the exact cause and begin treatment.

The disease may worsen. To prevent this from happening, you need to find and eliminate the provoking causes.

Flatulence in a pet

Gas in a cat is a common occurrence in veterinary practice. If she passes a small amount of gas 2-4 hours after eating food, this is part of the digestive process and is considered normal. About 90% of the gases released are methane, which has no odor. But if a pet farts more often than usual, and the passage of gas is accompanied by a terrible “amber” and some other signs, this already indicates that he has flatulence.

Flatulence in cats is the process of distension and bloating of the abdomen due to the accumulation of gases and air in the stomach or intestines, which the animal swallows while eating food. The unpleasant odor is the result of the release of hydrogen sulfide and other substances, and the excretion of the resulting excess through the anus is considered a normal physiological phenomenon inherent in all mammals.

Excessive gas production does not mean that a disease is developing in the cat’s body. It is likely that the four-legged pet simply ate food that was unusual for him, and his intestines did not have time to produce enzymes to digest it.

But if flatulence takes a chronic form, this indicates diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, accumulated gases put pressure on the diaphragm and make breathing difficult. This can cause shock in your pet and even death.

How to help your pet

Strict adherence to all the veterinarian’s recommendations will eliminate all questions on the topic “Is it possible to cure cat ascites?”
Only methodical adherence to the chosen course of treatment will help save the animal from death. First of all, the cat needs a special diet. The food must be natural and not contain any smoked meats or dry food. Steamed meat and fish can only be lightly seasoned. It is also worth following a water diet. The less liquid your cat drinks, the easier it will be for her body to fight the disease.

Herbal decoctions that have a diuretic effect can completely replace water and help get rid of excess fluid in the body.

Under no circumstances should you use traditional methods of treatment, as they can only remove the symptoms, but the cause of the disease will remain. Such self-medication will not help the animal in any way, but will only speed up its death.

If the disease is not advanced, then comprehensive treatment can save the cat and prolong its life. The care and attentiveness of the owner, as well as the right medications, will help put the animal back on its feet.

But even after complete recovery, the dietary regimen must be followed.

Probability of death

The likelihood of death depends on the situation. The exact indicator is determined only by diagnostic results.

Remember that complications are possible even with non-hazardous factors. The bloating puts pressure on the chest, preventing normal breathing. There is also a high risk of gastric volvulus, intestinal rupture, tissue necrosis and sepsis. To avoid unpleasant consequences, contact your veterinarian if you have any alarming symptoms.

Diagnostics in a veterinary clinic

The diagnostic task is to differentiate ascites from other diseases with similar symptoms, for example, from exudative peritonitis. Thus, with peritonitis, an increase in temperature, pain when pressing on the abdomen, and a significant number of leukocytes and proteins are observed.

And finally, the most obvious sign of peritonitis is the transience of the disease. With ascites, as mentioned above, the disease has a long development.

Necessary diagnostic methods for suspected ascites include:

taking anamnesis;
analysis of clinical symptoms;
palpation of the abdominal cavity;
urine and blood tests;
X-ray of the peritoneum, sternum;
Ultrasound of the chest and abdominal cavity;
fluid examination;
endoscopy;
biopsy.

Differential diagnosis helps to identify the underlying pathology that caused ascites. Without determining the provoking factor, it is impossible to prescribe adequate treatment, since the amount of fluid will increase with each relapse.

Symptoms of bloating in a cat

Of course, the symptoms of bloating may seem obvious (enlarged abdomen), but it is necessary to pay attention to a number of nuances that will subsequently help in diagnosis:

It is imperative to feel the swollen abdomen. If it is quite soft and resembles a drum, then it is probably due to flatulence. But the presence of fluid (gurgling when palpated), severe tension in the abdominal wall and severe pain are reasons for an immediate visit to the veterinarian. This is how peritonitis and other dangerous pathologies manifest themselves.

Often severe bloating is accompanied by vomiting. Gases or other factors that cause an increase in pressure in the gastrointestinal tract simply push semi-digested food masses out.

Very often, animals with bloating cannot relieve themselves and urinate normally. This is due to the fact that swollen intestines lose the ability to contract normally, simultaneously squeezing the bladder.

Sudden enlargement of the abdominal cavity. As a last resort, you should seek medical help.
There is an increase every day. This requires immediate medical examination.
Gradual bloating. You should get tested if symptoms are accompanied by loss of muscle mass and weight, decreased appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, changes in bladder and bowel habits, or decreased activity.

When your dog is vomiting and you, not knowing what to do, are looking for advice on this topic on the Internet on forums, we recommend not to self-medicate or experiment on your beloved dog. The fact is that there are many reasons for an animal vomiting (more on this later in the article), and the consequences of your experiment may disappoint you and your family.

Alarming symptoms requiring urgent contact with a veterinarian

In some cases, the occurrence of this problem requires immediate contact with a veterinarian. It is not recommended to delay a visit to the veterinary clinic if you have the following symptoms:

excessive salivation;
repeated diarrhea;
inability to empty the bowels for a long time;
false urge to vomit;
vomiting;
refusal to drink and eat.

The listed symptoms may indicate dangerous pathological processes in the pet’s body. In some situations, the slightest delay can result in the death of the animal.

Causes of the problem

Flatulence has no age limits, but is more often observed in early and old age (due to helminthiasis and slow metabolism, respectively). In cats, due to their short digestive tract, bloating is rare.

Most often, the cause of flatulence should be sought in unbalanced feeding. There are a number of products that can provoke it, these include:

Milk, since the cat's body reacts poorly to lactose, and the older the cat gets, the higher the likelihood of stomach upset from drinking this drink.
Fermented milk products. This includes cheese, yoghurt, sour cream, cottage cheese. They are allowed in small quantities, but strictly dosed.
Fish. If river or sea fish form the basis of the diet, the smell of your pet's excrement becomes unbearable.
Garlic. With its help, some owners try to treat their cat for worms. However, you should not give garlic to an animal, and flatulence is not the only problem that can arise from its use.
Cereals. Feeds high in wheat, corn, and soy irritate the digestive system and become a serious burden for it.
Fat and meat trimmings are not a complete substitute for meat and can cause not only flatulence, but also liver dysfunction, intestinal disorders, and diarrhea.
Bread. Contains yeast, which provokes the fermentation process in the intestines and, as a result, distension of the stomach.

We invite you to read: False pregnancy in cats: symptoms, treatment, how to identify and what to do

However, not only an incorrect diet can contribute to the development of flatulence. This can lead to:

viral, parasitic diseases;
inflammatory bowel diseases;
hair stones that accumulate in the stomach (most common in cats with long hair);
oncology;
obstruction or partial obstruction of the intestine;
dysbacteriosis in cats due to improper treatment (especially antibiotics).

You should contact your veterinarian if, in addition to frequent passing of gas, your pet experiences borborygmas (rumbling in the abdomen), drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, mucus in the stool, poor appetite, weight loss, bloated abdomen, or abdominal tension. Most likely, these are symptoms of inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.

Therapeutic diet

Excess sodium in food can lead to ascites in cats. Therefore, sick animals must be switched to a diet with a minimum sodium content.

Natural nutrition

The therapeutic and preventive diet should consist of:

Lean meats (50%). By-products are excluded.
Sea fish.
Low-fat fermented milk products.
Vegetables, fruits.
Croup Legumes are excluded.

Important: sick cats are given distilled water and its consumption is monitored

Industrial feed

Depending on the root cause of the disease, special medicinal food is prescribed.

Recommended brands:

Hill's Prescription Diet k/d – to reduce the amount of sodium in the body;
Hill's Prescription Diet h/d – for heart pathologies;
Hill's Prescription Diet l/d Feline Hepatic Health dry – for liver pathologies;
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d – for diseases of the genitourinary system;
Hill's Prescription Diet a/d – to raise protein levels in the blood.

Disease prevention

The best method of dealing with any disease is its prevention. Preventive measures against dropsy are available to any cat breeder, the main thing is not to forget about it:

Compliance with the diet (when preparing a diet, you can contact a veterinarian).
Walks in the open air.
Fortification (you can select good vitamins with the help of a veterinarian).
Avoidance of stressful situations (cats under stress have reduced immunity).
Preventive vaccinations, as well as treatment for worms, fleas and other parasites.
Preventative examinations at the veterinarian.

Ascites (abdominal dropsy) is an accumulation of free fluid in the abdominal cavity, but this phenomenon cannot be called an independent disease. Typically, ascites occurs against the background of another disease as a symptom. This disease is the cause of dropsy. Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive. Veterinarians prescribe groups of drugs aimed at combating symptoms, and the underlying disease is treated separately.

Why does deviation occur?

The development of the deviation is influenced by pathological and physiological factors. The first are dangerous to health and require the intervention of a veterinarian. The latter are natural, so they are easy to figure out on your own.

Hazardous factors

The presence of pathology is indicated when the abdominal muscles do not relax for more than a day, and the pet’s condition gradually worsens. This is due to the following reasons:

Constipation

. It occurs due to intestinal spasms, improper feeding, ingestion of a foreign object, helminthiasis and the accumulation of hair in the intestines during heavy shedding. Without prompt treatment, constipation can lead to intestinal obstruction and death.

Peritonitis

. The peritoneal mucosa becomes inflamed upon contact with gastric or intestinal contents. The penetration of foreign microflora is fraught with epithelial detachment and necrosis.

Poisoning

. Against the background of acute intoxication, painful spasms occur in the lower part of the stomach.

Abscess

. The danger of purulent formation in the abdominal organs lies in its rupture and subsequent blood poisoning.

Injury

. When internal organs are damaged, their contents leak into the peritoneum. The further reaction is similar to peritonitis.

Cholecystitis (biliary colic)

. Inflammation of the gallbladder occurs when there is excessive production of bile or the formation of stones. The patient's peritoneum hardens and excruciating pain occurs.

Pyometra

. Purulent inflammation in the uterus appears with frequent mating, hormonal disorders and infections.

Ascites (abdominal dropsy)

. With this disease, free fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity. Most often this occurs as a result of poor circulation.

Neoplasms

. The growth of the tumor is reflected in the size of the peritoneum. Most often, neoplasms occur in older animals.

Panleukopenia (distemper)

. Infection with the virus occurs in utero, during a bite by a blood-sucking insect, or through contact with an infected animal or its biological fluids.

All these causes can be eliminated with medication. Without timely help, even simple constipation becomes dangerous.

Non-hazardous factors

An enlarged and dense belly in a cat also appears for natural reasons. These include:

Flatulence

. A tight stomach appears when there is an excess accumulation of digestive gases. Usually this condition goes away with dietary adjustments, but sometimes it is a sign of helminthiasis, dysbacteriosis, intestinal obstruction and other diseases.

Treatment

Flatulence can be cured by eliminating from the diet a product that causes fermentation in the stomach. At home, it is recommended to use drugs such as Hilak Forte, Bifiform, Espumisan, Smecta, Enterosgel and others. Select the dosage taking into account the size and age of the cat.

Helminths are eliminated using special medications: tablets (Drontal, Pratel, Trontsil), Prazicide suspensions, Polyvercan sugar cubes, Profender drops. They must be given again after 2 weeks during treatment. Treatment of peritonitis is only symptomatic. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs must be prescribed. At the same time, the doctor will determine the true cause of the inflammatory process. For ascites, there are 2 options:

transferring the animal to maintenance treatment (continuous injections, droppers, diuretics);
euthanasia.

Tumors of any nature require removal. For cancerous tumors - chemotherapy, radiation. After these procedures, restorative therapy is carried out aimed at increasing immunity. For plague in cats, an antiviral agent is given and symptomatic and immunostimulating treatment is carried out. A universal treatment has not been invented to date.

Methods for treating constipation: massaging the abdomen, giving laxatives (Duphalac, Microlax enema, Normaze) and probiotics - homemade yogurt or kefir, Linex, Hilak Forte and others. If you want a long life for your pet, try to regularly examine it and pay attention to minor deviations in behavior and appetite. These simple measures will help save the life of your beloved cat.

Do cats have flatulence?

Your affectionate pet is curled up in your arms, by the way, in the body language of cats - this is a signal of trust and disposition towards you (find out here about other interpretations of cat body movements that will help owners better understand their pet), and you are in a similar relaxed state state, when suddenly your idyll is disturbed by an unpleasant fetid smell. Where could it come from?

This often happens when cats have flatulence, and about the reasons for this phenomenon, about foods that can cause flatulence in cats, and of course about how to treat and prevent excess accumulation of gases and their release with a terrible odor - we talk about all this Today we will talk in our new article...

What is flatulence

If we turn to veterinary and human medical reference books, for comparison, flatulence is the process of bloating in an animal as a result of the accumulation of gases in the intestines.

This can not be seen often, despite the fact that the release of gases for the body of animals is a completely natural process, but sometimes you can still observe an excessive accumulation of gases and their release with a terrible odor.

In addition to all this, the accumulated gases in the animal’s intestines put pressure on the diaphragm and complicate the breathing process, and if in such a situation you do not try to help it, then this can even cause the development of shock and death of the pet.

There are no age limits for such a disorder, but still, most often, flatulence is observed both in small kittens if they have a helminthic infestation, and in old animals whose metabolic processes in the body are disrupted as a result of old age - find out how a cat’s body ages and about the duration of her life.

Bloating in a cat due to flatulence

So that you have no doubt that your cat really has flatulence and not some other disease, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the characteristic symptoms of this disorder.

So, the cat behaves restlessly, meows pitifully and tries to attract your attention, or, on the contrary, hides in a dark corner and sits there, showing no signs of life.

When you pick her up, she behaves restlessly, her stomach feels swollen, hard and painful, the cat has a poor appetite or refuses to eat at all.

The processes of defecation and release of gases at the initial stage of the disease are quite frequent, but then they become less frequent until they disappear completely. This stage of the asymptomatic course of the disease is very dangerous, because if the animal is not helped in time, it may die.↑

What can cause such symptoms? The answer to this question, first of all, should be sought in the animal’s diet. So, it turns out that there are a number of products that can provoke the occurrence of such a disorder, and you yourself, without meaning to, can become the culprit of your pet’s illness.

Despite the fact that many of us think that milk is a real cat product, you and I are still mistaken. Moreover, the cat's body is lactose intolerant. And, the older the cat gets, the higher the percentage of the likelihood of developing intolerance.

No, of course, there are exceptions to the rules, but most cats still do not like milk, and those that drink it later suffer from it, paying with flatulence, indigestion and other unpleasant symptoms.

So, limit your pet’s consumption of milk - it’s for his benefit.↑

Dairy products may cause flatulence

It happens that cats tolerate milk well, but their bodies react poorly to other dairy products.

We suggest you read: The cat has diarrhea with blood, what happened?

Therefore, you just need to be patient and observant in order to determine which of the dairy products - cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, the cat digests without problems, and which one causes him/her bloating with all the ensuing consequences .

When you identify a product that catalyzes the flatulence reaction, you should exclude it from your pet’s diet completely, or at least limit its use and reduce it to a minimum - after all, cats, like people, simply adore what they shouldn’t and causes harm to them. health.↑

There are meat cats, and there are fish cats. By the way, according to the owners of mustachioed striped ones, there are more of the latter. However,

No matter how much your cat loves fish, no matter what type of fish you offer him - sea or river, in no case should fish products form the basis of a cat's diet.

If you ignore these recommendations and constantly feed your cat fish, then prepare to have serious problems with your pet’s health in the future, against the background of which flatulence will seem not the worst thing that could happen to him.

You should not believe that garlic is a folk remedy for worms and can be used to treat helminthic infestations in cats. While this folk remedy helps people, it is forbidden to give garlic to cats in any form. So, avoid this food additive if you do not want to encounter flatulence in your pet and other problems related to its health.↑

Many cat owners are ready to brag for hours about the fact that their cat is absolutely omnivorous, and even eats grain products. But there are few reasons and reasons for joy in this.

We should not forget that cats, by their primitive nature, are still predators, and nature, when creating them, provided that they should eat meat.

Therefore, a diet high in soy, corn, and wheat irritates the digestive system of your purring friend and becomes a serious burden for it.↑

In order to save money, do not try to replace meat in your cat’s diet with fat or meat trimmings. Fatty foods, and in particular fat itself, can cause not only stomach upset in a cat, but also flatulence. And, if such a diet is constant, then the pet can subsequently develop serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract.↑

Yeast is dangerous for cats' health

Cats are not people. We will not tire of repeating this once again, especially when the question concerns creating the right diet for your pets.

Therefore, you should not give cats bread and bakery products, no matter how much they love them and no matter how pitifully they beg for them.

The fact is that yeast, which according to the recipe is included in baked goods, is very dangerous for the health of representatives of the cat family, since it causes fermentation processes, and excessive gas production begins to stretch the cat’s stomach... ↑

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for owners to feed animals something that they themselves can no longer eat due to the product’s expiration date and its unpleasant odor. But who said that such products can be given to your cat? Make it a rule for yourself

If you don't eat spoiled foods, then you shouldn't feed them to your cat.

With such a fundamentally incorrect diet, you can not only undermine your pet’s health, but also destroy it, since the cat can even die as a result of severe food poisoning.↑

If, after analyzing the symptoms and diet of your pet, you realize that there is every reason for the development of flatulence, you should not wait until the situation becomes critical - the animal should be shown to a veterinarian for first aid. If it is not possible to show the animal to a specialist, you will have to provide first aid yourself.

So, in order to relieve spasms in the stomach and intestines, you will need to give the cat an anesthetic - traumeel, baralgin or antipyrine, the dosage depends on the animal’s body weight and its age. Afterwards, in order to remove gases, the cat will need to be given an activated carbon tablet or polysorb diluted in water.

After a few hours, you will be able to give a cleansing enema.

In order to increase the processes of salivation and belching - in this situation they help eliminate intestinal bloating, you can carefully insert a wooden stick, which is lubricated with salt or ichthyol, into the cat's mouth and secure it with a bandage on the back of the animal's head.

To prevent putrefactive microflora from developing in your pet’s intestines, be sure to give your “patient” 1 tablet of lactoferon.

Diagnosis and treatment

Therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of bloating. Symptomatic treatment is prescribed.

If the doctor determines that flatulence is caused by poor nutrition, then he prescribes an appropriate diet. Your cat's food should consist of foods low in carbohydrates.

What to do and how to help your cat before visiting the clinic? As first aid, you can give her a cleansing enema (if you know how) and give her the following medications:

Traumeel (to relieve spasms).
Activated carbon, Polysorb (to remove gases).
Lactoferon (to avoid the development of putrefactive microflora).
Liarsin (to normalize the digestion process).

Homeopathic remedies (Nux vomica-homaccord, Engistol) have proven themselves well in the treatment of flatulence and intestinal disorders. Dill water helps, as well as infusions of cumin, chamomile, and fennel.

How to call a veterinarian at home?

What questions will need to be answered? In order to call a veterinarian, you need to:

Call the operator at the numbers specified in the Contacts section;
Tell what happened to the animal;
Provide the address (street, house, front door, floor) where the veterinarian will arrive;
Specify the date and time of the doctor’s arrival

Call a veterinarian at home and he will definitely help you. At home, as they say, walls can be healed.

How to prepare for the birth of a dog or cat?

Physiology of childbirth in dogs: from A to Z

In this article we will tell you how a normal birth should proceed, when you should and when you shouldn’t worry, in which cases you need to go to the clinic immediately, and when you should just wait.

Do I need to go to the veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian?

Cat giving birth

- This is a normal and natural process. Human intervention should only occur when non-intervention would lead to a problem. Healthy animals give birth on their own and do not require human assistance. This does not mean that childbirth should not be monitored, because childbirth is an unpredictable process, and, unfortunately, sometimes something can go wrong.