Kitten distended belly

However, only FIP is common in cats brought to the vet.

Here's the difference between a kitten's healthy round belly and a swollen one—and how to make your furball feel better. Kristi Valentini writes health and lifestyle articles for pets and people, often with her pup Penny by her side. A round, chubby tummy just might be a kitten's most adorable feature. Unless you count those big, wide eyes and teeny tiny claws. But sometimes a kitten's bloated belly can signal a health issue. We talked with Carling Matejka, DVM, a spokesperson for pet food company Solid Gold , to find out what's normal when it comes to kitty tummies and when to be concerned. Kittens generally have little round bellies, especially after eating.

Kitten distended belly

A round, chubby tummy just might be a kitten's most adorable feature. Unless you count those big, wide eyes and teeny tiny claws. But sometimes a kitten's bloated belly can signal a health issue. We talked with Carling Matejka, DVM, a spokesperson for pet food company Solid Gold , to find out what's normal when it comes to kitty tummies and when to be concerned. Kittens generally have little round bellies, especially after eating. 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. Other signs your kitten isn't feeling right include:. If you can't tell whether your kitty has a swollen belly or it's just a cute, chunky tummy, see your veterinarian for an assessment. Your vet can identify if your kitten is normal, bloated, or overweight. Here's What a Veterinarian Recommends. Kittens develop swollen bellies for a number of reasons ranging from minor to major. Matejka says that the most common causes of bloating in bellies are intestinal parasites worms , weight gain, or excessive gas from a poor-quality diet.

A round, chubby tummy just might be a kitten's most adorable feature.

Cats can have swollen bellies for a variety of reasons. Potential causes for a cat or kitten swollen belly include organ enlargement, fluid or a mass in their belly, intestinal parasites and weight gain. In some cases, your veterinarian might be able to identify the cause of your pet's swollen belly through a physical exam alone. In most cases, however, your cat will need to undergo additional testing. Enlargement of the liver, spleen or kidneys can result from both benign and malignant types of cancer either through invasion or development of a solitary masses , certain types of infections especially fungal diseases , accumulation of inflammatory cells, or a response to disease elsewhere in the body.

However, only FIP is common in cats brought to the vet. This disease alone is estimated to cause the death of between 0. This picture shows the same cat after treatment. Feline infectious peritonitis is caused by a coronavirus that is one of the causes of diarrhoea in cats. All you may notice is mild diarrhoea, but these cats will continue to pass large amounts of virus.

Kitten distended belly

Cats can have swollen bellies for a variety of reasons. Potential causes for a cat or kitten swollen belly include organ enlargement, fluid or a mass in their belly, intestinal parasites and weight gain. In some cases, your veterinarian might be able to identify the cause of your pet's swollen belly through a physical exam alone. In most cases, however, your cat will need to undergo additional testing. Enlargement of the liver, spleen or kidneys can result from both benign and malignant types of cancer either through invasion or development of a solitary masses , certain types of infections especially fungal diseases , accumulation of inflammatory cells, or a response to disease elsewhere in the body. An enlarged bladder and the inability to urinate can be signs of a urinary blockage , a potentially life-threatening condition. This condition is more common in male cats, but can also occur in females. The gastrointestinal tract can become filled with gas, fluid, foreign material and even food, resulting in the appearance of a swollen belly.

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Your vet can identify if your kitten is normal, bloated, or overweight. Learn More. Took him to four different vets and no one knew what is wrong with him. We are considering taking her back to the breeder but do you think we should investigate tests? Create profiles to personalise content. Feeding amounts and frequency depends on the age and weight of the kitten. If your kitten or cat has a swollen belly, evaluation and diagnostic testing is needed to identify the cause of the swelling. Sadly, in kittens and puppies this type of surgery is not usually a viable option. Treatments for swollen bellies in kittens depend on the underlying cause. Viral disease: Feline infectious peritonitis, a viral disease in cats, commonly results in fluid in the abdomen and the appearance of a swollen belly. However, only FIP is common in cats brought to the vet. If your kitten's bloated belly has a more serious cause such as organ enlargement or abdominal fluid, treatment may include:. Cats have lower levels of certain enzymes needed for the digestion of carbohydrates.

While a slight bulge is normal, a consistently bloated belly in kittens can be a sign of an underlying issue. There are a few common causes of bloating in kittens, including intestinal parasites, eating habits and excessive gas from a poor-quality diet. Understanding the causes and treatments for bloated bellies in kittens can help you keep your furry friend feeling their best.

Cyprus - Greek. Our Kitten Harasses Our Cat. Develop and improve services. The presence of a swollen belly in a young, sick cat is very suggestive of FIP, but to exclude other causes and confirm the diagnosis, further tests are always needed. Silver Can you help me? About our Ads. For Cats. It is generally recommended to have kittens dewormed when they are as young as 2 to 3 weeks old, with additional treatments until they reach 12 weeks of age. In addition, the FIP virus produces solid tumour-like granulomas around the body, most notably in the central nervous system and kidneys.