How do I know if my cat needs hairball treatment?

How do I know if my cat needs hairball treatment?

If you notice the following hairball symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian, as they could indicate that a hairball has caused a potentially life-threatening blockage: Ongoing vomiting, gagging, retching, or hacking without producing a hairball. Lack of appetite. Lethargy.

How do I know if I have hairballs?

Symptoms of Hairballs in Cats The most visible hairball symptom you’ve probably noticed is the retching and gagging that usually precedes the actual vomiting of the hairball. In addition to retching/gagging, your cat may exhibit: Lack of appetite. Litter box troubles such as constipation or diarrhea.

When do furballs in cats need veterinary treatment?

Q Do furballs ever need veterinary treatment? A Hairballs may need a prescribed medication if they cause a blockage in your cat’s intestine. While this is quite rare, some elderly cats can suffer from constipation and a hairball could then cause additional problems.

What to do if your cat vomits a hairball?

Usually, your cat will then vomit the hairball in relatively short order. If you notice the following hairball symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian, as they could indicate that a hairball has caused a potentially life-threatening blockage: Ongoing vomiting, gagging, retching, or hacking without producing a hairball

What are the symptoms of hairballs in cats?

The usual signs and symptoms of hairballs in cats include gagging, hacking ad retching which is then followed by vomiting. This takes a short while. Additionally, severe hairballs in cats symptoms include: Persistent gagging, hacking, retching or vomiting without the expulsion of any hairball.

What to do if your cat coughs up hairballs?

Expect to answer questions about the cat’s medical history and how often they cough up hairballs. It may be helpful to keep a log of their hairball regurgitation and the other symptoms they are displaying. Your veterinarian may also order blood tests and radiographs to check for an intestinal blockage in your cat.

Usually, your cat will then vomit the hairball in relatively short order. If you notice the following hairball symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian, as they could indicate that a hairball has caused a potentially life-threatening blockage: Ongoing vomiting, gagging, retching, or hacking without producing a hairball

What are the symptoms of a cat with a hairball?

If you notice the following hairball symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian, as they could indicate that a hairball has caused a potentially life-threatening blockage: Ongoing vomiting, gagging, retching, or hacking without producing a hairball. Lack of appetite. Lethargy. Constipation. Diarrhea.

What causes loose fur to become a hairball?

This creates a hairball that is vomited up with food or fluid. Excessive grooming, long coats, and shedding also play a factor in swallowing loose fur. The loose fur can become a hairball at any time, but the condition usually harmless unless it is happening often or leads to intestinal blockage.

When to seek help for a dog with a hairball?

Conditions like kennel cough and gastric torsion cause gagging as well as coughing. If your dog is coughing and gagging because of a hairball, the hairball should come up fairly quickly. When coughing and gagging are not followed by a hairball it’s time to seek out veterinary assistance.