Nervous tummy is now something bigger, I fear.

crumpet

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Hi folks. Looking for advice or something comforting (or even preparing for bad possibilities). My 13yo, unaltered cat has always had a nervous digestive system, resulting in occasional diarrhea, constipation, or weight changes whenever something in the house changes. We moved cross country a few months ago, so I was expecting this. When the diarrhea/gas went on too long, we saw a vet. For financial reasons, we skipped tests and got antibiotics for her (since the most likely culprit was bacterial) & worm meds for all three of my kitties. She got better (never QUITE perfect), then slowly went back to the bloating & diarrhea.  I talked to her vet, and we figured that since it helped, but not completely - it was probably just a resistant strain. She gave me another round of antibiotics & a probiotic.  This time she got a little better but not for very long. Yesterday, we finally did a fecal - no eggs. Tomorrow – blood tests.  She had no dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite or excessive thirst. No other symptoms at all really.  Her coat looks good. Her spirits were perfectly normal until the last few days, when she’s been a little lethargic. Still eager to be petted and snuggled but doesn’t want to play with the other kitties. The most terrifying thing? I just noticed a small bump (a bit bigger than a pea) on her tummy. It moves around easily (as if it weren't attached to anything but skin) and doesn’t seem to bother her. But I’m terrified. Any idea what's wrong with my Teeny Houdini? If you've had a similar experience, I'm interested - no matter how it turned out.

Thanks so much and many pets on all your pets.  :)

Rhonda
 

ritz

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Sorry your Teeny Houdini isn't feeling well.

In a human, if the 'bump' (cyst) moves around, that's a good thing, well, better than were the cyst attached to something.

But given she is NOT spayed (I read that right, right?) I guess she's gone in and out of heat many times; one of the problems with not spaying a cat is it increases the chance of female problems.

Vet time--glad you're getting blood work.  Let us know what the vet finds, says.
 
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crumpet

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yep - that's correct. she's been indoors her whole life and all males have been neutered, so i never had her spayed.  if her vet felt that it was a good idea, i wouldn't argue though.
 

franksmom

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I think getting her spayed is a good idea due to all the health problems associated with an unfixed animal especially as she gets older. Responsible breeders usually fix their breeding female usually by 5-6 because of these health risks. Cancer is one risk and since she is already getting lumps it would be a good idea to spay her. They can also remove the cyst during the surgery and test it.

Her symptoms sound a lot like ibd/ibs and here is a website about cats who have it (http://www.ibdkitties.net). There is really no definitive test other than a biopsy but people on here have had success treating their cats who have stomach issues, like the ones you describe with diet changes. Some cats with IBD are allergic to certain ingredients in cat food. What kind of food does she eat? A novel protein limited ingredient wet food would be good. My cat has some IBS symptoms and I have had good results in switching him to an almost all wet food diet. I feed him mostly nature's variety lamb or duck and the small amount of dry food he gets in their limited ingredient turkey. He is such a picky eater and I would like to switch him to raw because people seem to have the best results on raw. I would take a look at www.catinfo.org which is written by a vet and has great information on feline nutrition. 
 
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crumpet

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my vet was encouraging but not too optimistic. there are a couple of other far smaller bumps on her tummy in different places. they took a cytology as well as a blood test and i should get at least one, if not both, back tomorrow.  probably why i'm still up at 2am. i am so worried about my little girl.
 
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crumpet

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bloodwork looked good.  no issues.  cytology not back til monday.  it'll be a tough weekend.
 

mewlittle

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Hi folks. Looking for advice or something comforting (or even preparing for bad possibilities). My 13yo, unaltered cat has always had a nervous digestive system, resulting in occasional diarrhea, constipation, or weight changes whenever something in the house changes. We moved cross country a few months ago, so I was expecting this. When the diarrhea/gas went on too long, we saw a vet. For financial reasons, we skipped tests and got antibiotics for her (since the most likely culprit was bacterial) & worm meds for all three of my kitties. She got better (never QUITE perfect), then slowly went back to the bloating & diarrhea.  I talked to her vet, and we figured that since it helped, but not completely - it was probably just a resistant strain. She gave me another round of antibiotics & a probiotic.  This time she got a little better but not for very long. Yesterday, we finally did a fecal - no eggs. Tomorrow – blood tests.  She had no dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite or excessive thirst. No other symptoms at all really.  Her coat looks good. Her spirits were perfectly normal until the last few days, when she’s been a little lethargic. Still eager to be petted and snuggled but doesn’t want to play with the other kitties. The most terrifying thing? I just noticed a small bump (a bit bigger than a pea) on her tummy. It moves around easily (as if it weren't attached to anything but skin) and doesn’t seem to bother her. But I’m terrified. Any idea what's wrong with my Teeny Houdini? If you've had a similar experience, I'm interested - no matter how it turned out.

Thanks so much and many pets on all your pets.  :)

Rhonda
my RB cat mewlittle had a pea size bump on her tummy it turned into a violent tumor please have that looked at
 
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crumpet

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houdini has mammary cancer.  xrays will show if it has metastasized but it's looking like we may lose my little girl.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I'm so sorry
.  Be sure to talk to an oncologist before making any final decisions though.  Cats can have surgery and chemo just like humans.  They apparently can handle the chemo much better than humans.
 
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