My cat..... hairball? UTI? What the heck!?

Question

I woke up this morning to my cat yowling over and over, that scary deep meow. I looked up and he was laying on his side in the hallway and when I called his name his yowling continued. I went over to him and he just layed there, looked up at me and continued crying. I wiggled him a little to try to get him to sit up and nothing, he wouldn't budge. I checked his box and there was a small puddle of diarrhea(sp?) and a undigested treat with throw up on the carpet that I had given him before bedtime. I took him to the vet immediately and he said he wasn't really sure, could be hairball, could be UTI, (but bladder was small and empty upon inspection) keep an eye out and check back.

Here's the thing: My cat gets a hairball like once every 6-8 months but when he does they are big and his body has trouble getting it out orally or anally, and on many an occasion he hacks but only throws up a little liquid and has diarrhea and fatigue. The Vet gave him hairball medicine so I guess we will see. Does anybody Else's cat do the throw up/diarrhea thing when they have a big ol' hairball? I know the vomiting is pretty normal but does anybody deal with the latter?

What does hairball medicine do?

P.S. I have no other animals and my cat is an indoor cat, never been outdoors, but has not only long hair but really thick and he licks constantly..

Answer 1

idk i dont really have a cat

but i tihnk the hairball med. would be like uhh.. say prunes for us makes it a little easier for it to come out?

Answer 2

your cat being an inside cat is missing a very important part of his diet.Grass, yes that's right grass. you can buy cat grass that you grow your self it comes in a 12x12 in. container. the grass has oils in it that help a cat up chuck, and pass fur balls with there p**p. If your cat still has trouble passing it's fur. you may try brushing it often. have a nice day good luck  

Answer 3

The hairball medication is to help to break down the hair/fur to make passage better- it needs to be given every day  to be effective-

The cause for the diarrhea could be stress and pain from trying to pass hair ball-

I have a long haired cat the throws up hair balls too - I also feed canned food  to keep moisture in the system-and brush on a daily basis. Good Luck  

Answer 4

Do you ever put butter/margarine on his front paws so that he can l**k it off and help ease the passage of the hair/fur balls?

Answer 5

My cats always vomit but never have the runs. Have you considered

growing 'cat grass' for your cat.This is very helpful at getting hairballs through the system. You can buy it at a pet store very cheap. It comes in a plastic container complete with potting soil and seeds.you just add water and in a couple of days it will sprout up grass which your cat will love and eat. This roughage helps him get the hair through his system. You can also give him preventive hairball remedy once a week. It comes in flavours and is cheap also. Grooming him ie

brushing him regularly will also help get rid of loose hair and stop

him from digesting so much hair. All these things will help your

cat avoid getting hairballs.

Answer 6

Hiya

My long haired indoor cat, used to have real trouble passing hairballs but i started to grow him cat grass on my balcony and getting him 'Go Cat' indoor cat food which has bits in it to help indoor cats get the outdoor nutrition they are lacking. also try oily fish, sunflower oil and butter. all of these things we give to our cat once a week and he now just hacks up these massive hairballs no problemo!

Hope this helps

Kimberlie