Abdomen enlargement in cats other than FIP

An enlarged abdomen in a cat may be due to overeating, which can cause the abdomen to swell. This situation usually does not last long and can disappear within a couple of days by controlling the diet. It may also be due to abdominal fluid, which can have various causes such as acute enteritis causing thinning of the intestinal mucosa, infectious peritonitis, hepatic ascites, and cardiac hypertrophy ascites. These diseases require active treatment in cats.

Why is one side of the abdomen enlarged?

An enlarged abdomen on one side of a cat may be due to overeating, causing food to accumulate in the intestines and making the abdominal cavity appear larger from the outside. It may also be due to the cat swallowing an object, leading to partial intestinal infection, necrosis, and inflammation, thus causing the abdomen to enlarge on one side. It is necessary to take the cat to the hospital for examination and treatment promptly.

What to do if the abdomen is enlarged?

If a cat has gas, it can take pet-specific probiotics. Gas in cats may be caused by indigestion, so the cat can take pet-specific probiotics to regulate the body and improve immunity first. Massage the cat's abdomen to help digestion. If the abdomen is too large, stop feeding and watering temporarily to observe the situation. If the condition does not improve, go to the hospital promptly to avoid delaying the treatment.

How to relieve abdominal gas in cats

If a cat has abdominal gas and obvious abdominal distension, abdominal puncture can be performed to remove gas and reduce abdominal pressure. This prevents venous blood flow obstruction caused by excessive pressure, leading to circulatory disorders and compression of the diaphragm limiting lung ventilation. Abdominal puncture for gas relief is only suitable for relieving symptoms and cannot solve the cause of the disease. It is recommended to confirm the cause of the disease before targeted treatment.