Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: headbutter999 on April 27, 2009, 17:02:04 PM

Title: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: headbutter999 on April 27, 2009, 17:02:04 PM
Hi, Has anyone experienced these symptons?  My cat has been seriously unwell for a couple of weeks. We came home from a week away(neighbours were feeding her)to find our cat showing severe weight loss, not eating, swollen tummy, very lethargic and a strange purr.  The vet has taken bloods and fluid for testing which have come back negative to Perotonitis. Vet thinks it's her liver but she isn't being sick and does not have diarrhoea.  Can manage to eat little bits of fresh prawns and ham and is drinking ok.  Has had anti-inflammatory and antibiotic jabs last Friday which have perked her up.  Any advice much appreciated.
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: swampmaxmum on April 27, 2009, 17:49:39 PM
the only thing I can think of is liver too. What were the liver blood results as your vet should be able to tell from them if it is that?  good luck  :hug:
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on April 28, 2009, 00:04:43 AM
were full bloods done, if so what did they show?
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: Yvonne on April 28, 2009, 23:17:41 PM
Hello Kevin and   :welcome:  to Purrs

Cannot help with the symptoms - don't have a clue.  Just wanted to wish you good luck.
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: Bazsmum on April 29, 2009, 01:36:52 AM
Hello Kevin and   :welcome:  to Purrs

Cannot help with the symptoms - don't have a clue.  Just wanted to wish you good luck.


Good luck from me too!  :hug:
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: lilynmitz on April 29, 2009, 14:52:08 PM
If she's not improving you need to take her back to the vet.  She really sounds very poorly.What did they test her for?  Did this include protein levels?  Be persistent with the vet if necessary, ask for second opinions if they're still sounding vague.  Good luck
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: sixfurballs on May 01, 2009, 14:38:36 PM
I can't urge you enough to take her back to vet and get full bloods and urine sample run. A lot of her symptoms are similar to those my Purdey exhibited and she had gone into renal failure. She is improving now over 2 weeks later but she was touch and go and still don't know whether its acute or chronic renal failure. It was only quick reactions by me and the vet that saved her. The first night she had to stay at the vet on the drip my vet was very concerned she wouldn't make it through the night and Purdey had only exhibited mild symptoms one day and then off her food the second day.

I don't wish to scare you, just want to point how quickly these things can go too far.

Good luck and hope your girl can be diagnosed and make a full recovery.
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: nessa (A C S ) on May 01, 2009, 15:41:17 PM
I am reading the and am thinking has fip been considered might be worth discusing with your vet :(
Hope you get some answers at the vet  good luck
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: Millys Mum on May 02, 2009, 20:45:32 PM
Fortunately that has been ruled out nessa. I hope the OP comes back and lets us know how things are going
Title: Re: Anyone recognise the symptoms - swollen belly/fluid retention
Post by: Philip on May 02, 2009, 21:20:06 PM
It will be useful to have a full blood count done to look at kidney parameters, Liver function tests and are infection/inflammatory markers raised.

Abdominal ascites can be caused by liver problems. A liver tumour can block the blood circulation around the hepatic circulation causing the leakage of fluid into the abdomen. An abdominal amniocentesis would be useful to look at the fluid in more detail. A high level of white blood cells could indicate inflammation of the peritoneum/possible FIP. Evidence of blood in the fluid could indicate cancer. The level of albumin (if any present) is important.

The problem with abdominal ascites is that when fluid is drained, it will most likely return. Also draining too much fluid off at once can be dangerous as fluid will be lost from the cats cirulating blood volume to replace it.

My Jemilla has a really swollen belly in the end and it was sadly due to intestinal cancer with probable liver metastases. The fluid drained from her had a low albumin count but a high level of red blood cells indicating chronic bleeding from the tumour. Virology came back negative.

Good luck and wishing you all the best.