2.5 yr old rescue cat -very swollen abdomen (fluid) & unknown masses…..

[Candi R]

Hello lovely cat people, going out of my mind with worry here. Our beloved Teddy, a 2.5 yr old male, neutered, moggie from cats protection developed an extremely swollen abdomen over the weekend and we rushed him to an emergency vets, he had a high temperature (40) but no remarkable blood results, they could kind of make out ‘unknown masses‘ in his abdomen (very difficult to see due to all the fluid apparently) and have sent a biopsy, I get the results any time now (obviously I’m a nervous wreck) he’s on anti inflammatory and an antibiotic and has been allowed home until we get the results. His temperature is back to normal but his abdomen is extremely distended/full of fluid, so I’m doing all the things I can to keep him comfy. I guess my fear is that it’s cancerous or FIP.….Any thoughts/advice?

 

[fionasmom]

Welcome to The Cat Site! Thank you for helping Teddy to have a home and family. Try to wait for any results. I know that this sounds hard to do, but try not to google everything that you imagine or to jump to a conclusion before there is one. Is Teddy eating and drinking? When do you get the results? They did an xray or ultrasound? Some conditions do not appear in bloodwork, but having an unremarkable result does eliminate a few worries. Let us know what you are told.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Please hang in there and see what the test results tell you! You might want to ask if they could drain some of the fluid from his abdomen to give him some relief. Regardless of the cause in Teddy's case, it might help some for now.

I had that done with Tawny many, many years ago - but perhaps they no longer believe in doing that. It is worth asking about.

Is he eating/drinking OK? If not, you might try to give him some baby food meat (Gerber Stage 2 or Beechnut), most cats even when they don't feel well seem to like it. Please keep us posted.

 

[Candi R]

Welcome to The Cat Site! Thank you for helping Teddy to have a home and family. Try to wait for any results. I know that this sounds hard to do, but try not to google everything that you imagine or to jump to a conclusion before there is one. Is Teddy eating and drinking? When do you get the results? They did an xray or ultrasound? Some conditions do not appear in bloodwork, but having an unremarkable result does eliminate a few worries. Let us know what you are told.

Thank you so much for the reply and kind words FionasMum, really is appreciated. He’s eating and drinking lots, he’s also toileting fine and managed a little play with his toy fish too. He’s laying on our bed with a fan on him like a lord. Im sure it was an ultrasound they did and discover these ‘masses’ I get the results tomorrow possibly. (I’ll try not to Google!)

 

[Candi R]

Hi. Please hang in there and see what the test results tell you! You might want to ask if they could drain some of the fluid from his abdomen to give him some relief. Regardless of the cause in Teddy's case, it might help some for now.

I had that done with Tawny many, many years ago - but perhaps they no longer believe in doing that. It is worth asking about.

Is he eating/drinking OK? If not, you might try to give him some baby food meat (Gerber Stage 2 or Beechnut), most cats even when they don't feel well seem to like it. Please keep us posted.

Thank you so much for your reply FeebysOwner, and for the food tip too! That’s great. He is actually eating/drinking/toileting fine, which surprised me. I did ask about his fluid, if it could be drained, he looks so uncomfortable, but the vets reply was ‘we don’t quite know where the fluid is coming from yet and so it could potentially be dangerous’ I was really hoping they could, perhaps they would be able to after the results!? Really appreciate your input

 

[Candi R]

Welcome to The Cat Site! Thank you for helping Teddy to have a home and family. Try to wait for any results. I know that this sounds hard to do, but try not to google everything that you imagine or to jump to a conclusion before there is one. Is Teddy eating and drinking? When do you get the results? They did an xray or ultrasound? Some conditions do not appear in bloodwork, but having an unremarkable result does eliminate a few worries. Let us know what you are told.

Hello again Fionasmom, the vet rang with the results from the sample of the fluid and unknown massses and they, once again were inconclusive, she said she’s consulted her colleagues and they can’t think of anything else it could be but cancer, I’m devastated, and I’ve paid £1700+ in vet bills and still have a swollen, uncomfortable cat. I don’t know what to do, I know she was hinting that I should put him down. Just horrendous

 

[FeebysOwner]

I am in agreement that this is horrendous. I don't understand at all. So, they say probably cancer, but they have now ruled out FIP?? I don't know what kind of group of vets you are dealing with, but if they are not specialists, I would get another opinion from a group that is. Here in the US, they are all over the place, and when needed vet universities can be consulted. If they kept a sample of the fluid, there may be other tests available with more specialized vet groups.

For a cat whose only real issue is abdominal fluid, there is no excuse that I can come up with to deny draining that fluid - and, getting some more expert opinions about the possibilities. As I said, Tawny (who they think had FIP) had the fluid drained, but he also had other problems with not wanting to eat, and they still drained the fluid. My dad, who had hepatitis C (at the time uncurable) had the fluid drained from his abdomen to give him relief. I don't see how draining it could cause more problems.

Please look for other vet resources for second opinions.

 

[Candi R]

I am in agreement that this is horrendous. I don't understand at all. So, they say probably cancer, but they have now ruled out FIP?? I don't know what kind of group of vets you are dealing with, but if they are not specialists, I would get another opinion from a group that is. Here in the US, they are all over the place, and when needed vet universities can be consulted. If they kept a sample of the fluid, there may be other tests available with more specialized vet groups.

For a cat whose only real issue is abdominal fluid, there is no excuse that I can come up with to deny draining that fluid - and, getting some more expert opinions about the possibilities. As I said, Tawny (who they think had FIP) had the fluid drained, but he also had other problems with not wanting to eat, and they still drained the fluid. My dad, who had hepatitis C (at the time uncurable) had the fluid drained from his abdomen to give him relief. I don't see how draining it could cause more problems.

Please look for other vet resources for second opinions.

Thank you so much for your reply! I just don’t understand any of it, and youve just said exactly what my parents said, they too told me to get him to a different vet in the morning and get the fluid drained pronto! And yes, the vets completely ruled out FIP…it was negative. I get the feeling that this particular vets are almost embarrassed by their extortionate fees and that’s why they practically tried to put me off going for further testing/surgery etc. So sorry about your dad and Tawny, I agree, it’s surely better to drain than not!?!

 

[Candi R]

Thank you so much for your reply! I just don’t understand any of it, and youve just said exactly what my parents said, they too told me to get him to a different vet in the morning and get the fluid drained pronto! And yes, the vets completely ruled out FIP…it was negative. I get the feeling that this particular vets are almost embarrassed by their extortionate fees and that’s why they practically tried to put me off going for further testing/surgery etc. So sorry about your dad and Tawny, I agree, it’s surely better to drain than not!?!

(Oh P.S…..they are not my usual vets, these act as the cities emergency vet on weekends, and as Ted got poorly on a weekend, he went there….unfortunately)

 

[FeebysOwner]

I hope the ER vets sent copies of everything to your regular vet, who you can follow up with. If they didn't make them do so! You paid for those tests and part of what you paid for is the ownership rights to the results. Continue to keep us posted!

 

[Candi R]

I hope the ER vets sent copies of everything to your regular vet, who you can follow up with. If they didn't make them do so! You paid for those tests and part of what you paid for is the ownership rights to the results. Continue to keep us posted!

Thanks so much and Ive just got one question…sorry! I’ve just spoken to the nurse on reception and told her I want Teddy’s abdomen draining ASAP, she said yes of course, but wanted me to know that the vet had said if they do drain him it will more than likely fill straight back up with fluid again! Have you heard of this before?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Given they don't know what is causing the fluid, I am not sure they know how to determine how quickly the fluid will fill up again - right? With Tawny, even if his was FIP, it took a few days to recollect - it wasn't instantaneous. Ditto with my dad. As far as I know, the drainage process didn't cause any sort of pain - if they don't go 'gangbusters' with how fast they draw it out.

Yes, odds are until someone can get to the bottom of this, the fluid will likely recollect.

Is this nurse with your regular vet or the ER group?

 

[fionasmom]

I agree. Yes, fluid can build back up, but you still have not been given a proper dx of what it is, so you are still in the dark regarding most of this. It can also be drained again, so it seems as if Teddy should be given some relief as soon as possible.

I am not sure about the doctor's statement that he wants you to know that it will probably fill back up. As in we are going to have to charge you repeatedly for these procedures or as in give up now? Definitely you are not at the end of the investigation here and should do whatever you can or think is best for Teddy. Is he still feeling okay?