In this article on our site we are going to explain why a cat has a swollen and hard belly The seriousness of this situation is going to depending on the causes that have originated it, among which can be found internal parasitosis, feline infectious peritonitis or hyperadrenocorticism, as we will see in the following sections. All these circumstances are going to be more or less probable depending on whether we are dealing with a cat, a cat or a kitten. We will also see how to prevent and act in the face of this problem.
My kitten has a swollen belly
Perhaps the most common cause of a cat's swollen and hard belly is the presence of internal parasites, especially if we are dealing with a young kitten. Thus, if we pick up a kitten, we are likely to notice that its belly is abnormally large. In this case, we should go to our veterinarian to prescribe a broad-spectrum product to deworm it and, at the same time, we will take the opportunity to establish a suitable deworming schedule to the characteristics of our kitten.
It is also very likely that we will find the cat with a swollen belly and diarrhea, caused by parasite damage in the digestive system when the infestation is considerable Likewise, we could observe worms in the feces or blood. The veterinarian can take a sample of these feces and observe it under a microscope to identify the type of parasite present and thus adapt the treatment. It must be taken into account that it is not always possible to locate the parasite in a single sample, in which case it would be necessary to collect them on several alternate days. In any case, veterinary assistance is needed, since an intense infestation in a kitten can cause profuse diarrhea that dehydrates it and endangers its life.
Swollen and hard belly in cats due to ascites
Ascites is known as the accumulation of fluids in the abdominal cavity. It can have different causes and needs veterinary treatment to identify and treat it. Ascites can explain why our cat has a swollen and hard belly. In the following sections we will see what are the most common causes of ascites in cats.
Large and hard belly in cats due to infectious peritonitis
Feline infectious peritonitis, also known as FIP, is one of the most serious diseases that explains why a cat has a swollen and hard belly. It is a viral pathology that causes inflammation in the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the interior of the abdomen, or in different organs such as the liver or kidneys. As it is a virus, there is no other treatment than support. Likewise, there is a vaccine against this disease, which is highly contagious among cats.
In addition to ascites we can observe other symptoms such as chronic fever that does not remit, anorexia, weight loss or lethargy. respiratory problems may also occur due to pleural effusion and, depending on the organs affected, there may be jaundice, neurological problems, etc.
Swollen and hard belly in cats due to liver tumors
The presence of liver tumors is another cause that can explain why our cat has a swollen and hard belly. This disorder is more common in older cats, who will also show other symptoms that are usually non-specific, that is, common to several diseases and that usually manifest when the damage is already advanced.
In addition to abdominal distention, which is why it seems that the cat has a sagging or large belly, we can observe anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, increased water intake and urination or vomiting. It will be our veterinarian who reaches the diagnosis. The prognosis is reserved and will depend on the type of tumor.
Swollen and hard belly in cats due to hyperadrenocorticism
Although not very common, this disease could explain why a cat has a swollen and hard belly. Hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing's syndrome is caused by excess production of glucocorticoids caused by tumors or hyperplasia. Requires veterinary treatment and follow-up.
Other symptoms that we can see are lethargy, increased intake of food, water and urine in advanced stages, weakness, hair lossor, above all, extremely fragile skin.
My cat has a hard tummy
In addition to the causes already mentioned that explain why a cat has a swollen and hard belly, in cats we can observe this situation if they are in labor, due to the effect of contractions that aim to compress the uterus to facilitate the exit of the kittens. But, also, abdominal distension in cats appears in uterine pathologies which may be associated with infections that will require veterinary treatment. To avoid these and other serious disorders, it is recommended sterilization
