Please help :( my old kitty is bloated and acting strangely.

Hello all. I've been looking for a place to ask about my kitty and found this forum. I've enjoyed my stay so far

My mom pointed out to me a few days ago that our old female cat's stomach seems larger. I had not noticed but when I took a look she looked like she could have been pregnant! Also for these past few days, she has made the dining room floor her little spot, and has stayed there for days only getting up to go to the litterbox. I'm not sure if she has eaten her food or not.

I also should add we got a kitten recently. On the first night, she was just staring at the kitten, and would let her come up and boop her on the face. I was very surprised, as I was afraid to let them near each other at all because our old female is usually on edge and will attack if randomly provoked.

But for that reason, I don't think my dad will take her to the vet or anywhere to get checked out. He does not like her and wants her gone, honestly. She used to be a nice and normal cat but somewhere along the line she started going crazy, it seems. She developed ear mites (we think.. whatever it was, it smelled horrible and made her itch constantly. She still has it but it's not as bad as it has been) which might have contributed. She usually hisses and swats at the little kids in the house. She randomly sprays and .. leaves her droppings around the house sometimes. Also, she was fixed years ago when she was still young. I think that if my dad was to take her anywhere, it would not be to a vet, but somewhere we would never see her again

Anyway, for the past few days, she has been sitting in the same spot and letting the kitten play with her, and does not appear to be upset about it at all. I went over to pet her earlier today and she was purring before I even had my hand on her. She seems much more tranquil. My uncle, who she usually hisses at and runs away from, was going to sit at our table, and she was in the way of the chair. He pulled it out anyway, but she stayed, the chair halfway over her, and she stayed, calm as could be, while he sat and ate his food.

It's very uncharacteristic. I'm so worried. What can I do for her to make the swelling go down, or is this something that just happens? My mom says she also feels dehydrated, she noticed her skin felt dry while she was feeling around her stomach.

I would appreciate any feedback at all! Thank you for reading!
*goes off to lurk*

Ok, you don't say how old you are. Are you able to drive?? Your cat needs attending to by a vet. You need to be more attentive..is the cat eating. You need to find out. I am sorry to be blunt, but if you have a drivers license, take your cat to the vet.

Circumvent your father who obviously has no intention of helping this poor creature.

A cat that is bloated could have a tumor, heart problems I could go on and on. Dehydrated? A cat that does not eat or drink for days, is in danger of death.

Did anyone ever treat the earmites?? Poor baby....someone needs to take care of this animal. Why did you get a kitten? Your family obviously can't or won't take care of the cat it already had.

I am again sorry for this response, but your cat is neglected. In some states it is against the law.

Hello and welcome to TCS.

Please get your cat to the vet, right away. It sounds as if she may have several unresolved issues going on, and may be suffering, and may have been suffering for quite a long time.

In most places it is illegal to not get a pet veterinary treatment when needed.

I can't imagine why your family has gotten another kitten, when the cat you already have is not being taken care of.

If you are a child, find another responsible adult to take your senior kitty to the vet.

Please don't think we are jumping on you.We are all very upset to read your post and worried about this cat.

Understand that what you are describing is a cat in desperate need of a vet and has needed vet attention for quite some time. The "acting crazy" and not using the litter pan is her way of telling you that she is sick! Now this. Fluid in the belly is called ascites (pronounced uh-site-ees). This is NOT good. It is a symptom of many BAD things - like cancer as another poster mentioned. Why would your dad want ANY creature to suffer?

And long term ear mites.... why wasn't that treated? It is so simple. One dose of Revolution or Advantage Multi can take care of it. There is probably long term damage now from infection - loss of hearing, etc.

If the adults in the home won't take care of animals, please rehome the kitten. Not sure why you got another animal if no one wants to invest the time, energy or money to look after an animal. It is a 15-20 year commitment that COSTS MONEY.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get this old girl to a vet. If anything else, have her humanely euthanized if she cannot be saved to put her out of her suffering.

Feel free to PM me with ANY questions.

Why on earth did you get a kitten when you're not taking care of the cat you already have?

Honestly if I knew where you lived I'd call the SPCA to come and seize your animals since if you aren't taking care of your current one why will the new kitten be any different.

At this point it sounds like the only thing a vet could do is put her down. End her suffering and take her to a vet even if it's just so you can end her suffering. She has been telling you for a LONG LONG time that she is SICK.

Honestly find a new home for your kitten because if the condition of this old girl is any indication you won't be treating the new one any better.

I know this sounds harsh but it's the honest truth and I doubt I am the only one who feels this way. Only difference is I'm blunt and don't sugarcoat things(just ask my 7 year old) especially when it comes to not only having your old cat suffer but now adding a new one that is going to suffer the same fate.

Taryn

Originally Posted by vermillious

Hello all. I've been looking for a place to ask about my kitty and found this forum. I've enjoyed my stay so far

Click to expand...

I've just seen this post; after all the responses I've read you are probably not enjoying your stay anymore.

Bless you for caring enough for this kitty to ask us for help. It's so easy to shove the older cats aside when fun, playful kittens arrive.

I hope you have gotten this girl to the vet. Clearly she is sick. If you read this I hope you will update us.