I'm worried about my cat. She has long hair and, although I brush her every day, there are certain areas she will not let me approach, such as between her back legs. As a result, she has clumps of matted hair there and I just cannot get to them without causing her distress. Yesterday I picked her up, lying her in my arms like a baby, so that I could see that area better and when I touched her lower abdomen, she hissed. She never hisses. Just now I picked her up and gently felt her abddomen but again she let out a terrible hiss, as though she were in pain, so I let her go. What could be wrong with her? I will call the vet tomorrow but does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks..
2007-03-09 10:05:08 · 24 answers · asked by martina_ie 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Where I work (an animal hospital) we regularly shave long hair cats bellies and between there back legs. If the cat cannot keep up with the grooming and she matts, it is a mess and can be painful. I have actually seen cats so matted back there, that they are unable to poop because the hair is so matted. They end up with diarrhea squirting all over the house, talk about a mess!! (Sorry, pretty gross). If it turns out that her pain or hissing is because of the matts, I would consider having her shaved on a regular basis like 2 x's a year. I hope this helps.
2007-03-09 10:20:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure its nothing to bad, but definatly best to take her to the vets to get her cheacked out, just to make sure.
I have a long haired cat, she gets bad mats in the same place at certain times of the year. So we take her to the vets and get then to clip the fur around that area. If they do it well you can hardly see it either when your cat is stood up. Which is a bonus!
Hope all goes well.
2007-03-09 17:55:18 · answer #2 · answered by Fred 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this could be a number of reasons, but my bet is that she may have a big clump of hair in a knot there that is tight to her skin and a bit painful, a vet may try to give her an anathetic so they can remove the hair. Nothing at all to worry about, but of course it could be something alot more worse than that, but having just said that, my male cat has what i call a fatty bit on his tummy, which he had just started to hate me touching!!! i guess he's a bit embarrassed!!!!
2007-03-09 23:40:39 · answer #3 · answered by jet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get her to a vet a.s.a.p. could be a blockage in her gut (long-hairs can be prone to this). she may merely feel that having her abdomen touched is far too submissive. the gut & throat are the "kill zones" on an animal. a few take that to the extreme of guarding these areas at all cost. this does not mean you are doing anything wrong, only that the animal in question sets great store by it's instincts.
the vet is the only one who can tell you that your cat is healthy or otherwise, though.
2007-03-09 16:59:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the matts are pulling the skin and that is VERY painful. So much so that sometimes the matts will cause an infection. The best thing to do is have your vet sedate your cat and shave her, then either keep up on the brusing or keep her shaved so she doesn't have this happen again
2007-03-09 14:38:40 · answer #5 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taking her into the vet is a great ideal. In the mean time try not to stress yourself out to much. It might just be that the hair is so knoted on her tummy that it is pulling and causing her some discomfort and your touching it made it worse. Once you get this issue solved at the vets tomorrow please try to make sure she is well groomed from now on if you can't do it alone get some one to help you hold her or take her to a goomer.
2007-03-09 10:14:08 · answer #6 · answered by debcat76135 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Defiantly get a hold of the vet as soon as possible. It may be that all she needs is a grooming to get rid of the matted hair or it is possible she has some type of infection. Good luck!!
2007-03-09 17:25:11 · answer #7 · answered by mother of Bridezilla 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think maybe your cat is upset because of the matted fur and the pain that it causes her when you touch it. when you take her to the vet, if the vet cant tell you straight off, why not get her sedated whilest he examines her, that way she will not feel anymore pain until either 1. the issue is resolved or. 2. you know what the problem is
i truly hope that your cat is feeling better soon
2007-03-09 11:08:48 · answer #8 · answered by laneyb_1983 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My mum's cat is the same. Her fur gets really matted and it pulls and it's painful for them. You can't get near the cat cause she's not that friendly.Mum has to get her put out so the vet can shave her without her being in pain(and without being ripped to shreds)
2007-03-09 23:00:20 · answer #9 · answered by Duran Duranfan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope it is just the matted hair pulling on her skin.
I have had to take my cat to the vet for a comb out before because she would freak if tried getting them out.
Take her soon and good luck.
2007-03-09 10:12:10 · answer #10 · answered by outtahere2day 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋