Painful Abdomen in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 10/24/2016Updated: 01/21/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Painful Abdomen in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Painful Abdomen?
Pain located in the abdomen can result from conditions ranging from trauma to disease, so it is important to take your  cat to a veterinarian for an examination as soon as possible if it is suffering.
There are numerous reasons why your cat may be experiencing abdominal pain. Cats are not normally expressive creatures when it comes to pain, but there are ways to detect if something is wrong in the abdominal region. Since the abdomen lies between the pelvis and the chest, a number of organs can be the culprit behind their pain.
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Average Cost
$800
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Symptoms of Painful Abdomen in Cats
Your cat may not always show signs to indicate it is experiencing abdominal pain. Also, pain can, unfortunately, be referred to another area of the body that isn't the real source. It is important to pay close attention to your cat to discover if it is experiencing abdominal pain. The main symptoms to look out for are listed below:
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Blood in feces
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Change in appearance or posture (e.g. hunched over)
  • Tenderness/pain when touched
  • Weight loss
  • Hiding away
  • Fast or irregular breathing
Causes of Painful Abdomen in Cats
A number of conditions can bring about abdominal pain in your cat, including:
  • Pancreatitis (inflammation in pancreas)
  • Cholangiohepatitis / Triaditis
  • Constipation
  • Cancer
  • Poisoning
  • Ruptured bladder
  • Urinary obstruction
  • Dietary intolerance
  • Kidney stones
  • Ascites (buildup of fluid within abdominal cavity)
  • Bacterial infection (e.g. pyometra, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis)
  • Parasites
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP, a fatal viral infection)
Diagnosis of Painful Abdomen in Cats
To diagnosis your cat's condition, the veterinarian will want a full medical history and will also conduct a thorough physical examination that may lead to further diagnostic testing. What information you provide the vet can help immensely in narrowing down potential causes. Knowing if there has been any reaction to a specific type of food, exposure to dangerous substances or circumstances, and all of the other symptoms your cat has shown can aid in this process.
If the vet has determined further tests are required, there are a few common ones they will conduct. The common diagnostic testing includes a CBC (complete blood count), a urinalysis, and a biochemical profile. The three tests are generally used to check for signs of inflammation or infection, and to examine how well the organs are functioning. A fecal test may be conducted as well if parasites are suspected.
Often, an X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen will be taken. These scans can discover any inflammation, tumors, kidney stones, or ruptures in the organs.
Your vet may also perform a biopsy or even a peritoneal fluid analysis, which checks the type of fluid in your cat's abdomen if fluid is detected. 
Treatment of Painful Abdomen in Cats
Since there is a range of causes for abdominal pain, treatment plans may vary.
Surgery
If cancer or tumors have been found, the vet will almost certainly recommend surgery to remove it. A surgical procedure is also sought in the case of a ruptured bladder or intestinal obstruction.
Medication
In the event of a parasitic infestation or a bacterial infection, your vet will prescribe a round of antiparasitic or antibiotics. Although these medications may come with risks (e.g. side effects, developing a resistance), the benefits typically outweigh those concerns. It is important that they are given as prescribed so that your cat will reap all of the benefits.
Some medications may be given as supportive care. If your cat is suffering significantly, your vet may recommend the use of pain medication for relief. Anti-nausea medicine may be given to help stop vomiting, and in the event of seizures (mainly due to poisoning), your cat may be given anti-seizure medication. Additionally, drugs that suppress the immune system may be prescribed, typically in the case of IBD.
Poison Treatment
When poisoning is the cause behind your cat's suffering, your vet will begin treatment immediately upon knowing which toxin was ingested, if possible. If your cat only recently swallowed the poison, its stomach will be emptied and activated charcoal or fluid therapy may be administered to help curb any ill effects.
Additional treatment methods may vary based on the specific toxin. For example, in rat poisoning, the vet may administer vitamin K.
Diet
In the event of IBD or other dietary complications, a change in diet may be the recommended plan of treatment. Your vet may recommend a hypoallergenic diet or even an elimination diet. Both can help with IBD as well as determining if your cat has an allergy.
Supportive Care
Beyond pain and anti-nausea medication, supportive care may include the administration of fluids to treat dehydration. Also, if your cat has the misfortune of being afflicted with FIP, supportive care may be the primary form of treatment, as the viral infection has a high mortality rate.
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Recovery of Painful Abdomen in Cats
It is important to follow the treatment plan laid out by your veterinarian, especially if medicine has been prescribed. Prognosis will vary with the cause of abdominal pain. Relapse can occur from some conditions, and some be be chronic. IBD, for example, cannot be cured and is managed, rather than resolved. Keep a watch on your cat's appetite as well as any other symptoms. If they return, be sure to take your cat into see the veterinarian.
A painful abdomen can be symptomatic of a serious medical issue. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Painful Abdomen Average Cost
From 344 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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Painful Abdomen Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Rag doll
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Two Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Cries After Eating
I started feeding my cat ‘Wellness’ wet cat food and my cat cries after eating..should I stop feeding her the food and go back to her original food ‘Royal Canine’ wet food? I just worry that Royal Canine has that ingredient’Carigeen’ that causes cancer... What should I do, do I continue feeding her Wellness cat food until her stomach gets use to it?
July 26, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello- It’s hard to say if she is meowing painfully afterwards or if she wants more to eat. If appetite is normal, she’s playful, and has no vomiting or diarrhea you can continue the food. Otherwise Royal Canin is a very good, safe food to feed so if you feel more comfortable I would switch back to that. Sometimes they can develop G.I. upset with an abrupt food change so switch slowly over a few days.
July 26, 2020
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Bengal
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Nala
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11 Months
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My Bengal Cat what is 10 months old female cry’s everitme we touch her tummy She eats normal and drinks water She jumps and walks normal . Only timer she cry’s is when we touch her
Sept. 21, 2018
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American Shorthair
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Cinnabon
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11 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Abdomen Pain
My male cat (turns 1 on October 3rd) is experiencing some issues with his abdomin. While I was petting him earlier today I went to scratch his stomach. He immediately showed signs of discomfort and became to let out smal cries. He is an generally an iside cat but occasionally will go outside but not for extended periods of time. I haven’t noticed any changes in his urination but he shares a little box with 1 other cat. He’s stool is regular. He hasn’t really been as active as he usually is (he likes to mimic Tom cruise in risky business on our wood floors) He eyes look kinda sappy .. like he just looks like he doesn’t feel well. Nose is wet and appetite is the same with no recent changes. I can’t afford a vet visit until next payday but this guy is very special to me. He Has also been nurtured and current on shots.
Sept. 13, 2018
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Common
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Wesley
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1 Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Sensitive Belly Fever
My one year old Cat was fine yesterday, but this morning was sensitive in the sides behind his front legs. He also feels warm and is not moving much, just laying in his bed. He is an outside cat and the only thing that I can think of that is unusual is that he has caught a few crawdads lately and brought them home as a gifts as cats will do. It has been very rainy here. Any thoughts?
Sept. 11, 2018
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Calico / Siamese
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Harley
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1 Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Aggression
Lower Abdominal Pain
I have 2 cats a 1 year old and a 6 month old, both females. We just recently got the kitten and we’ve moved recently as well. Ever since, our oldest cat has been in heat for the past 2 or 3 weeks and she acts very aggressively towards our younger kitten whenever she tries to play. Just today, I was petting my oldest cat and I noticed on her right side, lower towards the back legs when she’s laying on her stomach, whenever I touch there she cries. I’m not sure if this is why her behavior has been different or what but I really hope she does not have an illness of any kind. Both cats are not fixed but have an appointment in about a week.
Aug. 30, 2018
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Grey Tabby Cat
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Joy
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1 Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain When Touched
Sensitive
Our cat is an outside cat, so we always leave it to hunt, and play. We would feed our cat with cat food in cans, outside, and just recently, a bunch of bugs, flys, and possibly fleas started eating the leftovers of the cat food. My aunt said she saw very tiny worms in the cat food, and I believe my cat ate it. The next morning when I would pet her abdominal area, it would let out a scream or cry. I don’t know what she has but I think she has tapeworms, and I don’t know what to do right now.
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Stub-Tail Cat
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Tornado
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3 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Abdominal Pain
Restlessness
Biting And Scratching Ankles
Avoids Most Human Touch
I have a 3 year old, female cat that has a short stubby tail. She is an indoor/outdoor cat. Lately, she has is sensitive to touch in her chest and abdomen area. She is rather small, and she will not allow me to touch her to see where the pain is located. She acts as though she can't get settled when she tries to lay down. I have seen her sleep once for a couple of hours inside the house. I am not sure about her urine or feces because she goes outside for that. She eats both crunchy and soft food. She is going around trying to bite my ankles and drawing blood. She has not done this to me in the past unless she is playing.
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tabby
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Lexi
dog-age-icon
10 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain Upon Being Lifted.
We just got back from a week vacation. Our family had been stopping by to check on my cat make sure her food was full as well as water and scooped litter box. She has been eating and drinking and going potty. She seems normal and purrs and wants to be petted but she seems a tad lethargic. She is also very hesitant to jump on our bed or sofa etc. when I went to pick her up tonight with my hand under her chest she screamed out in apparent pain. As soon as I removed my hand she stopped. My husband said she did the same last night when he tried to lift her to our bed. This is all new but she has been sneezing and reverse sneezing on and off for about a year now. We have had a couple trips to the vet and she was put on antibiotics and the sneezing would cease..for a while. We have never changed her diet ever. She feeds at will and is a perfect weight for a small cat. Her eyes are clear and teeth are all fine. No bad breath or anything like that. I can’t tell if she has a fever but she does t seem warm. Is it possible that he may have pulled a muscle. Oh she also had a blood work up that came up negative about 6 mos ago.
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Cat
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Tealey
dog-age-icon
11 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
She’S Acting As Normal
I recently took my cat to the vet as she developed a lump underneath her stomach but I was told by my mum it may of been fatty tissues because she was a big cat. However the veterinarian said she may have cancer because her mammary glands in her boobs were swollen and it felt like it had spread. They ‘wanted’ to operate (didn’t seem as if they wanted too) however, they told me they think that the operation will be ineffective and costly so decided not to operate on her. Now she has started to lick these lumps and it’s started to bleed... I’m at uni and seriously stressed (I recently lost a best friend and I can’t lose my cat) help? I’m worried they’ll want to put her down... her stomach has also gotten smaller...
Painful Abdomen Average Cost
From 344 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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