Senior (21.5 years old) Cat Fluid in Belly - Belly Warm to the Touch

Hi everyone.

We have a 21 (and a half) years old cat. His health starting failing him in November when he had his first seizure. Our vet made the conclusion that it was from a UTI since he didn't have any other seizures regularly. Then in January almost 2 months to the day of his first seizure, he had another. Again, our vet found that he had an infection, gave him a Convenia shot and he was fine. That is until 2 weeks ago, we noticed that he looked and felt really bloated. We took him to the vet and found out he had fluid in his stomach. The vet did a series of tests and found out that he does not have cancer and ruled out heart issues. Our vet is concluding that it is a bad case of IBS, which is has been diagnosed with now for several years. The vet gave him a diuertic shot and the fluid went away, but came back this week. Took him to the vet again on Friday she drained some of the fluid out and by Saturday morning, the fluid was back. We are giving him 3mg of Lasik twice a day. I should mention that Friday morning at 2:30am, he had another seizure, which is why we took him to the vet. We have also noticed that his belly is warm to the touch. He eats but only small quantities at a time. Ever since the first seizure his sleeping schedule has been messed up. 

If anyone has had a cat that experienced similar issues we would love to hear what it was and how it was treated.

What color was the fluid that was drained off? Did your vet send it off for further diagnostics?

The combination of recurrent belly fluid and neurological symptoms is suggestive of FIP.  This can sometimes pop up in very old cats as their immune systems fail.  I believe that is why @CatPack asked you what color the fluid was, because the fluid caused by FIP is very distinctive and different from the type of fluid that usually accumulates in the abdomen and is called "ascites" and can be reduced by using a diuretic -- that is serous fluid, thin, clear or pale yellow or blood tinged -- the FIP fluid is thick and fibrous almost like egg white but it is yellow in color.  It will not be reduced by a diureitc.  The fluid itself isproduced by the body attempting to fight off the FIP virus in the abdominal organs. FIP is a complex disease and there is NO test for it and diagnosis is made from a combination of history, physical signs, and whether or not it responds to antibiotics.  Usually cats run a low grade fever, stop eating on their own, and they lose weight quite quickly.  You said he is still eating, but he is  having neurological signs.  "Dry" FIP is the same disease but without the abdominal fluid, and in the later stages it produces neurological signs, like seizures and/or posturing.  You should ask your vet about the appearance of the fluid and if this might be FIP.

Thank you for your response! The fluid was straw-colored and it was sent out to a Pathologist and it was found not to be cancer. Our vet mentioned FIP and it was ruled out. He did not have a fever any of the times he's been to the vet. 

GOOD, at least that's one disease you don't have to deal with!!  Let us know how he's doing.  I have never had a cat reach 20, although almost for a couple.   Congratulations on keeping him well for so long!

Fluid seems to be accumulating a little more. Called the vet and they told us to double the Lasix amount to 6 mg twice a day. Gave him the first dose tonight. If we do not see any improvement by tomorrow I will probably take him to the vet again.