I think I am losing Cinders- Ascites?

Cinders is my oldest cat, 16 years old. Over the last six months, I have noticed her drinking more, though a blood test in May didn't show anything abnormal. Her appetite and behaviour have been normal. However last week I noticed she seemed to have a swollen stomach, and it got worse to the stage this morning of being totally bloated and hard. So I got her an emergency appointment today. We spent two hours having blood and urine tests, ultrasound and xray. She has loads of fluid in her abdomen and this time her liver and blood are very abnormal, high numbers for white cells and plaquettes. Her kidneys showed normal. The vet could not decide if there was a mass in her stomach because of all the fluid. I have left her at the vet overnight, and they will run more tests in the morning. The only good thing is that it is almost certainly not FIP.

I have told the vet that at her age I do not want her to be put through any long painful treatment, and the vet agrees, though she wants to find out the cause before we make any decision. But I am not optimistic. Any ideas or experience to share on causes?

aww..I'm so sorry... the fluid was strictly in the abdomen...not chest area? She's breathing fine? Poor baby. I hope you find answers.

Oh no.  I have no experience with this--but I hope the vet can find some answers for you.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, Jenny. Did they drain the fluid and analyze a sample to try to get ideas?

AbbysMom said:

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, Jenny.

Did they drain the fluid and analyze a sample to try to get ideas?

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Yes, there are so many things it could be, and this is what I know as the best diagnostic procedure.

Big hugs from me, too..

Well, I think the news is good. After I left yesterday they did a full chest xray and drained more fluid from different parts of the abdomen. And the vet has just rung to say that the problem is definitely an enlarged heart - apparently her heart is enormous, and erratic. But it is treatable and she has already started draining the abdomen with a tube and with diuretics (though with a heart condition those can be dangerous so have to be done very carefully) and with baby aspirin to control the heartbeat. I have a meeting with the vet at 9am tomorrow to go through it all carefully and then I can bring her home. Much more positive than the news I thought I thought I would get today.

So glad to hear this news!  I really hope it's all controllable.  

Hoping everything works out.

I hope your baby responds well with all the treatment... so glad you can bring her home!

She is home! The vet explained to me that her heart will always be enlarged and will pump at an increased rate because her arteries are decreased in size. So I have to keep her on two medications for life - a diuretic as extra liquid will continue to be released into her system, and aspirin to help the heart. She also has 10 days of antibiotics as a precaution. If she survives the next three months or so, gradually losing the excess fluid, then she has a good chance of at least 2/3 more years of good quality life.

She will go back for a control check in 10 days. But I feel that she does have a life to look forward to now.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear this news!  You must be so relieved.  Here's hoping the next three months go well for CInders!   ​ ​  ​

Wow, what a turnaround from your first post! I'm so glad you found the cause and it's treatable.

Well done. Enjoy your Cinders.

That is just brilliant..

Isn't it amazing, what they can do.

Cinders has had her control check. I was not sure how much fluid she has lost - her belly is still very hard and round, but the vet was very pleased and said she was doing better than she had expected. She is losing some hair off the sides of the belly - it is as if it is rubbing off where she is fattest, but she is eating, drinking, using the box and as active as usual, which is not very active. So I must continue with the heart pills, the diuretics and the aspirin for three months and only take her back before then if there is something worrying me.

Coch had hair loss on her sides, just back of the rib cage. The vet said it was a consequence of what the kidneys were going through.

cocheezie said:

Coch had hair loss on her sides, just back of the rib cage. The vet said it was a consequence of what the kidneys were going through.

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That is interesting, though Cinders' kidney function is fine. The vet noted the hair loss but did not suggest anything.

The hair loss is strange, but it's good news that she's responded so well to the meds.

Sadly, Cinders has lost her battle and was put to sleep calmly and peacefully yesterday. I had to go to the UK last week for the funeral of a friend, and even before I went I had vibes that things were not quite right - she just wanted to lie in the bath or in her litter tray, though she was still eating and drinking. My cat sitter spent as much time as she could with her, but on my return I realised that she might have had a stroke - her hind legs were very shaky and her head was weaving about. She had not eaten or pooped for 24 hours. When she lay down her head just flopped on the floor.

So I sat with her through the weekend and kept her comfortable and we went to the vet on Monday morning. The vet agreed that the treatment was not working and that it would be cruel and ultimately unsuccessful to continue. So Cinders lay in my arms as she went to sleep. Before the vet gave her the tranquillizer she raised her head once to touch noses with me, and gave a little meow. I think she was entrusting herself to me, in the knowledge that I would do the right thing by her.

I will close this thread now and in the next couple of days I will open a Bridge thread for her.