Hair Balls

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Hair balls are an accumulation of hair that forms a ball in your cats stomach or small intestine. If this ball of hair gets large and dense enough so that is can not pass through the digestion system, your cat will vomit it out.  Although most hair balls are harmless, if you’re finding a lot of them around the house, there could be a medical problem that needs to be addressed.

SOURCE & CAUSE(S)

Hair balls are what is left over after your cat has groomed and swallowed the hair.  The hair collects in the stomach and causes some distention; your cat vomits and out comes the hair ball.  Hairballs are more prominent in long haired breeds.  Generally speaking, your long haired cat will groom and leave behind hair balls semi-regularly through their lifetime.  However if the hair accumulates there is risk that all of the hair is not cleared from vomiting and can cause an obstruction in the bowel. 

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

The most obvious signs your cat has hair balls are when you find them lying around your house.  If your cat has an excessive amount of hair that is not passing and may potentially be experiencing an obstruction these are the following symptoms that may occur:

• Excessive vomiting (right after they eat)
• Diarrhea or Constipation
• Distended abdomen
• Lethargic
• Not drinking or eating

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

A diagnosis will begin with a complete physical exam and medical history given to your veterinarian.  Your veterinarian will most likely to the following if there is suspicion of an obstruction:

Radiographs:  Your veterinarian may take a series of pictures to determine whether or not a large hair ball in the stomack or intestines could be causing a blockage.

TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

• Treatment for a hair ball obstruction almost always involves abdominal surgery.

Regular grooming and providing daily doses of hair ball control products are two ways to prevent hair ball obstruction.  If you have a cat with very long hair, another option is to have them shaved short during the summer months to help with their grooming needs. 

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