Cat with bloated belly? (sad update #12)

[sunnysmom]

So, I don't know a lot about cats honestly. But I seem to be a mecca for stray/feral cats. I have taken multiple cats to an acquaintance's farm, to the local rescue, etc. Anyway, I still ended up with 2 cats- a brother and sister- that I take care of. The female is semi-tame. The male isn't at all. They're both fixed, live in an insulated house, etc. Anyway, the female over the past 2 weeks has gotten huge. I did break down and take her to the vet yesterday (and it cost me a small fortune, sigh). She is not pregnant, does not have feline leukemia or aids, and we're treating her for worms/parasites even though the vet doesn't think that's the cause. Her stomach is essentially filled with fluid. We're waiting on some more test results but the vet is pretty concerned. Any cat people on here? Any experience with this? Thoughts? I am getting anxious waiting for the results- if they even tell us anything. She's fairly young- like 4-5 years old. Although she's not "my cat", she also is. I am really hoping whatever this is is fixable.

 

[Mizzely]

My cat did this. She had fluid in her abdomen from a tumor in her intestines

 

[Lady Jane]

Could be many things. Did the vet say anything about the liver? Fluid in belly is called Ascities.

 

[Parutti]

My thoughts also are cancer, or the wet form of FIP, or right-sided heart failure. Did they do X-rays? I'm sorry I hope you get answers soon.

 

[Parutti]

Where I used to work we had a Maine Coon with right sided heart failure that lived for many years once he was on medication, so there definitely are conditions causing this that can be managed

 

[sunnysmom]

My cat did this. She had fluid in her abdomen from a tumor in her intestines

Could they do anything for it?

 

[sunnysmom]

My thoughts also are cancer, or the wet form of FIP, or right-sided heart failure. Did they do X-rays? I'm sorry I hope you get answers soon.

The vet mentioned heart failure and FIp as possibilities. No x rays. She did an ultra sound and blood work.

 

[Xoetix]

Congestive heart failure can cause fluid retention in the abdominal cavity. At the clinic that I used to work at, we had a beagle who needed to come in for an abdominal drain regularly.

 

[Mizzely]

Could they do anything for it?

For her they were not able to. She was 17 and the positioning of it made surgery very risky. My options were basically try with a low success rate, get her drained every few days with no knowledge of how long that would work (and the possibility that she might suffocate because of the fluids pressing on her lungs) or let her go in peace. We chose to end her suffering.

 

[Pixiebeak]

I'm sorry. FIP is the most common cause, with those I've seen.
Hopefully it's something better than tho..

 

[Clueless]

I feel your pain. I'm not a cat person but once wound up with 6..... the male stray that no one would claim was huge and cost the most at the vet (despite the original cost they knew how I cared for my animals making it ok).

 

[sunnysmom]

Sadly, my cat died this morning.

She was a sweet little cat and died way too young. I guess I didn't update with the lab results. Unfortunately, the lab somehow messed up the blood sample and couldn't do all the testing. From the testing they did do, the vet thought it was her kidneys. I was actually supposed to take her back in tomorrow to have the blood work redone. She really seemed fine up until yesterday. She didn't seem to be eating much and only ate if I held the food up to her. But it was also really cold here, and I thought maybe she just didn't want to come out of her cat house. When I checked on her last night, she was sleeping with her brother. I was going to see how she was doing this morning and then decide about moving her vet appointment up, but it was too late. I am very sad. The vet had told me that likely there wasn't going to be much that we could do, and it might be a quality of life decision. I guess I should be thankful that she really didn't seem to be suffering and went quickly. But I didn't think it would happen this fast, and I was really hoping that after the testing was done that there would be something we could do to help her. So sorry little cat. I feel like I failed you. You were a sweet girl and always brightened my day. (She would greet me every day at my car when I came home from work and walk me to my house.) I will miss you.

 

[April]

Sadly, my cat died this morning.

She was a sweet little cat and died way too young. I guess I didn't update with the lab results. Unfortunately, the lab somehow messed up the blood sample and couldn't do all the testing. From the testing they did do, the vet thought it was her kidneys. I was actually supposed to take her back in tomorrow to have the blood work redone. She really seemed fine up until yesterday. She didn't seem to be eating much and only ate if I held the food up to her. But it was also really cold here, and I thought maybe she just didn't want to come out of her cat house. When I checked on her last night, she was sleeping with her brother. I was going to see how she was doing this morning and then decide about moving her vet appointment up, but it was too late. I am very sad. The vet had told me that likely there wasn't going to be much that we could do, and it might be a quality of life decision. I guess I should be thankful that she really didn't seem to be suffering and went quickly. But I didn't think it would happen this fast, and I was really hoping that after the testing was done that there would be something we could do to help her. So sorry little cat. I feel like I failed you. You were a sweet girl and always brightened my day. (She would greet me every day at my car when I came home from work and walk me to my house.) I will miss you.

Oh no I'm so very sorry for your loss. She definitely knew she was loved and that matters so much. I hope her brother will be ok with her gone. Thinking of you both.

 

[Clueless]

I'm so sorry. It always hurts.

 

[Mizzely]

I'm so sorry! It really sucks when we are actively looking for answers to help them, and they give us the answer we don't want.

 

[Xoetix]

I'm so sorry to hear

 

[Toy]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Lady Jane]

Aww this is very sad. I know you loved her very much. ️‍

 

[Shezbug]

I’m sorry to hear you lost one of your kitties Michelle.

 

[expressmailtome]

I am sorry for your loss.