Trichobezoars in cats - A problem that should not be underestimated

26.11.2021

Trichobezoars in cats - A problem that should not be underestimated

A trichobezoar is a ball of hair. The word "tricho" means hair, while a bezoar is any foreign material that clogs the stomach or intestines.

Cats constantly ingest small amounts of hair when grooming. These hairs cannot be digested due to the presence of keratin, so they usually pass through the intestines and leave the body with feces. However, in some situations, the hairs can become wrapped around themselves or another object in the stomach and intestines. This can result in the tangled mass of hairs becoming too large to pass through the digestive tract, resulting in a hairball, or trichobezoar.

 

 

Once a hairball is formed, there are two possible conclusions. Many cats simply throw up the hair, so you can find it on the floor and not have a problem. In some cases, however, this hairball can lodge in the digestive tract and lead to an obstruction.

Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment:

In many cases, the only sign that your pet has trichobezoar is a vomited hairball. Most cat owners can easily recognize these tubular wet hairballs. Their tubular shape is caused by forces that compress the hair mass as it moves up the esophagus.

However, trichobezoars that cause obstruction are not so easily identified.

If trichobezoar is causing such an obstruction, you may not see any hair in your pet's vomit. Symptoms that may indicate an obstruction include vomiting, abdominal pain, and lack of bowel movement. If the cat is unable to keep food or water down, veterinary treatment is necessary. The diagnosis of intestinal blockage is based on a physical examination, blood count, X-rays, or ultrasound. If your cat has an obstructed digestive tract caused by a trichobezoar, it will need to be removed. In rare cases, your vet may recommend removal using an endoscope, but more often than not, removal is done surgically.

 

Prevention:

The best prevention of trichobezoars is regular combing. Most cats love to be combed, it is also a great opportunity to strengthen your bond with each other.

                

You can also support combing with other methods. For example, there are many different dietary supplements. These supplements (eg pastes, oils) simply help the hair pass through the cat's digestive system as part of the digestion process. In some cases, the vet may recommend a special feed that contains a high amount of insoluble fiber, which has the task of moving the hairs in the digestive tract and reducing the risk of their accumulation.

Fresh grass :  helps eliminate indigestible particles such as hair, bone remains, etc. from the stomach.

Pasta GimCat Malt-Soft Extra: contains a unique Anti-Hairball Complex, which supports the natural excretion of swallowed hair and helps limit the formation of tufts.

By @esploris :)