My cat's sides are swollen: causes and treatment

If your cat has bloated flanks, it's important to immediately determine the cause and develop a treatment plan as quickly as possible. The simplest explanation is gas accumulation in the intestines, but to avoid missing more serious problems, it's important to learn to recognize dangerous symptoms.

Causes of bloating in cats

There can be several reasons for a sudden abdominal enlargement. Knowing these can help you determine why your cat's sides are swollen and provide first aid.

• Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. This may include internal bleeding, urine accumulation, pus, and effusions. ascites, which is caused by liver and heart disease, protein and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, diabetes, and abdominal infections. Peritonitis, an inflammation of the serous lining of the abdominal cavity, is an extremely dangerous condition. Failure to seek veterinary attention can result in the death of the pet. Peritonitis most often develops in animals with chronic gastrointestinal diseases or in cats after giving birth.
• A digestive and metabolic disorder that leads to obesity. In this case, the animal will simply become fat, and the belly will be soft.
• Helminthiasis. If a cat hasn't been dewormed in a while, its belly may become bloated. This is especially common in small kittens. Helminths multiply very quickly in animals, causing disruption to the entire digestive system.
• Neoplasms are also a common cause of swollen flanks in animals. These can be either malignant or benign. In any case, the appearance of neoplasms leads to enlargement of all internal organs and lymph nodes. Most often, swollen flanks are caused by tumors of the spleen and liver.

• Pyometra (Pus in the uterus). It can be caused by bacteria entering the uterus at the end of estrus or after a miscarriage. Pyometra is also a common condition in animals whose owners delay their heat cycle with medication. Unfortunately, this condition is usually diagnosed only in its advanced stages. In the open form, pus spontaneously exits the uterus through the vagina; in the closed form, the cat develops swollen sides, a fever, and weakness.

• Gas accumulation. One cause is swallowing air while eating. With aerophagia, you'll notice a bloated appearance not just around the sides but also around the entire abdomen. Your pet will become restless. Another cause of bloating is an excess of carbohydrates. When feeding an unbalanced, carbohydrate-rich diet, fermentation occurs in the stomach. This can be easily detected by looking at the sides, which become distended and resemble a cow's belly. A third cause of gas accumulation is an allergy, which causes severe intestinal irritation. In this case, you'll notice a sudden bloating of the sides and flatulence. With gas accumulation, your cat will become restless, meow, and have a bloated belly, like a balloon.
• Constipation. A secondary cause, the result of aerophagia, helminthiasis, or poor nutrition.
• PlagueIn addition to swollen sides and abdomen, the animal will exhibit weakness, vomiting, refusal of water and food, and a high fever. All of this is a consequence of a parvovirus infection. Distemper progresses very quickly, so if you suspect it, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Principles of disease treatment

The first thing you can do at home is to palpate the abdomen and determine if it's causing discomfort. If the condition is serious, your cat will be in pain. If your pet doesn't resist the examination, begin treatment at home.

• DewormingTreatment against parasites should be carried out once every three months.
• Dietary adjustments. A balanced diet and food will help prevent bloat. Medications such as Smecta or children's Espumisan can be used, but only after consulting a veterinarian.
• If your cat is showing signs of obesity and has developed bloated flanks, diet and increased exercise are recommended. Thyroid problems can also be the cause of weight gain. In this case, your cat should be seen by a specialist who can prescribe hormone therapy.

• If your cat's belly and sides are bloated, but you don't notice any gas buildup and your cat isn't constipated, it's possible that hairballs have accumulated in the pet's stomach. In this case, you can give it a special wool-removing paste.

If the measures taken do not help, treatment can only be carried out by a doctor.

• At the hospital, the cat will undergo tests and an abdominal ultrasound.
• If ascites is present, drainage of fluid from the abdominal cavity is necessary to determine the cause. Dietary intervention (reducing salt intake) and cardiac medications are essential, as the accumulation of excess fluid in the body increases the strain on the heart muscle.
• If the sides are swollen as a result of a problem with the genitourinary system, then diuretics will be prescribed.
• Surgery is a last resort method used when neoplasms develop in cats.
• In mild cases of pyometra, medical treatment includes hormonal therapy, antibiotics, and antispasmodics. If there is a large accumulation of pus in the uterus, surgery is performed.

Read also:

• What to do if your cat has a bloated belly
• Feline infectious peritonitis
• Enteritis in cats: symptoms and treatment