Hairball

[gilby]

My cat has never suffered with hairballs but this weekend she has been coughing and spluttering on one. She is eating fine and playing but has little coughing spells. Is there anything i can do or feed her that will help her get over it??

[helsbels666]

you can buy a special oily peraration from a pets store for this (there is one called katalax). However, last time my little kitten had a furball and i didn't have any i used flora margarine! I just smeared a teaspoon on his paws and nose and he sat and like it off. The grease in this clears the fur i believe!

[MrsJo49155]

anothere great "olden days" remedy is Vaseline. A little bit smeared on top of the front paws will do the trick.

Of course your cat will look at you like you have gone mad as you spread it on their paws, but will just as quickly get it off, first by trying to shake it off, then by licking it off!

The Vaseline helps keep the hairball confined to a small ball and lubricates it so it will pass easily.

It should be stressed that this treatment is for the occasional hairball and not recommended for daily use.
If the condition persists, and over the counter remedies don't work, or it appears to be hurting the cat, then I would suggest you pop them along to the vets for more professional advice.

[gilby]

Thank you both for your answers. She is in no distress, it is hurting me more to see her wretching. I have tried the margerine tactic and I will see how she goes. if she is not right by tomorrow I will pop her to the vets. I dont like taking her if i have to as she gets so frightened. Thanks again

[WendyS]

A regular weekly gentle brushing will help, even if she' s a short haired cat. Inevitably they ingest fur when they lick themselves to clean. Sometimes it passes through the digestive tract; other times it won't and forms fur balls. If you buy a soft brush, sit her on your lap and treat it as a special petting session she'll get used to it and enjoy it and it will prevent these uncomfortable coughing sessions for her.

[gilby]

I have always brushed her, she loves it. I am taking her to the vets this afternoon as she is still coughing. She seems fine otherwise but I think 3 days is enough...

[helsbels666]

hope shes better. I hate seeing my kitty in distress. The poor little thing!

xx

[gilby]

Mystery solved. She has a chest infection. She has had an antibiotic injection and has 5 days medication for me to give her. She is quite perky already after the injection and even tried to pinch some of my milky tea!!!!

Bless her little cotton socks