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Found cat has swollen stomach, constipated. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 5 months old

Hi, my name is Taylor and our kitten that was less than a year old went missing in June and was found yesterday in a haystack a little ways away from our house. She's in pretty rough shape. She's very hostile towards the other pets and her brother and is super jumpy. I'm assuming it's from changing from mice to solid cat food but she's got a pretty bad stomach thing going on too. It's super swollen and she can't seem to get a lot out. What can I do to make her feel better and safer?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 23rd, 2017

Hi Taylor! I'm very glad that you found Lily, what a relief for you! Likely, her stomach problem is related to intestinal worms. That would cause her constipation and a swollen stomach. Lily will need a deworming treatment as soon as possible. I recommend Drontal, which is available by prescription only from the vet. Drontal is my recommendation for Lily because she could also have tapeworms from being outside so long, and OTC deworming treatments do not contain the medication needed to kill tapeworms. In addition, after being missing for so long, she will need a check up from the vet to make sure she is healthy, and the vet can prescribe her the Drontal while at the visit. I would have Lily seen by a vet tomorrow for a health check and Drontal. Tonight, you can give her a teaspoon of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed in with her food to see if that helps her poop. Please have her seen by a vet first thing in the morning.

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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