Pouch in un-neutered kitten - Is this normal?

Hi all,

Am getting ready to take 'Tang' to be neutered. He and his litter-mates were abandoned by their mom when they were about 4 weeks - longish story.

Recently he has developed a pouch. I looked it up before taking him into the vets and learned that for some cats breeds they are normal. My question is since he is a kitten and is of mixed breed (with some Siamese most likely) should I consider this normal. I don't want to take him in and be told there is nothing wrong, but I don't want to ignore a problem either. It does not seem to bother him in the least. He leaps and plays  and is a normal active kitten. He is also quite loving by the way and available for adoption....you know just in case someone is interested. 

The pouch is noticeable when he stands. Getting a shot of him standing without moving may be a bit tricky.

 I am including a photo. 

I'm sorry I have no advice to give, I just wanted to say that he is gorgeous!

Don't worry about it.  The vet will tell you if there is anything abnormal but a lot of males have this.  We call it a "roo" (like Kanga and Roo) for fun.  He is a lovely cream point Siamese mix.  You can advertise him for adoption free on RescueMe.org web site.  Don't give him away free.  We have lots of info on how to adopt out your rescued cats and keep them safe from people who may not mean them well.

Does the pouch feel squishy? Is it just skin?

We had a 12 wk old kitten develop a pooch (not normal)...she had developed an ingunial hernia and a portion of her fat pad had separated from her abdominal wall.

Hi Fuzzycat

That is a gorgeous kitty by the way

Yes pouches are completely normal even in domestics I think pretty much most of all the domestics that I have ever owned have all had pouches :lol3: Some bigger than others.
I actually have a calico female that has a huge pouch - it's swings side to side when she walks and when she sits down it covers her back feet completely making her look like a penguin :lol3:
People always think she is fat or pregnant, but she's not it's all just lose excess skin

I think what is being missed here is the OP is talking about a *kitten* not an adult cat. Yes, a pouch/pooch is quite normal for indoor Adult cats.

Are my cats abnormal in the fact that the ones that do have the pouch/pooch didn't develop these until they were 18 months to 2 yrs? (Serious question.)

If it is a hernia, the vet will be able to tell you and can fix it while the kitten is anesthetized for his neuter.  It will cost more, of course. It's not something we can diagnose without feeling the kitten.  because e don't know if it's the standard fat pad pouch some of them develop or actually a hernia under the skin causing a ulge.  Be sure to ask the vet to check it when you bring him in for surgery, though.

Thanks all, it feels soft and flattens out when you lay him out on his back.

My concern is I plan to take him to a discount vet for neutering. I have taken other rescues there but one was crypt orchid (?) , and it didn't go well. Ended taken him into a regular vet. So anything more complicated than a regular spay/ neuter goes to my regular vet.

Since it is possible this could be something more serious I will wait on him and get him checked out.

PS- I would keep him if I could but we are maxed. He really is very loving.

Red Top Rescue said:

.  He is a lovely cream point Siamese mix.  .......  Don't give him away free. 

Click to expand...

I agree.   With the cream point the revealing masque isnt clearly visible, if you arent observant, or  dont know how and where to look.

About the pouch - everything has already been said in the thread.  Good catch CatPack -  pouches on young kittens arent that common.  

Hopefully nothing much, but wise to let a vet look at it, and if necessary - treat it.  Exactly like the OP plans to do.   But the cheap vet can surely at least make a quick examination and decide what it is.   The examination with him will be cheaper than a similiar examination with most regular vets.

And yeah, its understandable low cost spaying clinic  do just  easy, basic treatment for that low cost price...They perhaps use vets just out from the school.   Taking more for more complicated surgery. (and perhaps not being experienced with that more complicated surgery. Crypt orchid for example may be quite tricky)

Good luck!