Help! Can you help me figure out what's up with my cat?
By moonshadow68
@moonshadow68 (723)
United States
April 21, 2007 12:08am CST
All you smart cat people, I need help! I noticed about a week ago that my cat looked like she was putting on weight, but when I started paying attention to it, it looked like it was all in the area directly in front of her rear legs. We had her spayed two and a half months ago, or I would say that she looks pregnant. Obviously, that isn't the issue.
So today when I was rubbing her belly, I tried to feel the area and see if it was something I could feel and she reacted like she was in pain. She squeaked and clawed/pushed me away with her hind legs.
Based on this reaction I'm taking her to the vet Monday, but I'm wondering if anybody has any experience with this and might be able to tell me what's wrong with my baby.
Thanks!
Cindy
2 people like this
8 responses
@gizmo528 (731)
• United States
21 Apr 07
Wow, if you hadn't said she was spayed I would have told it was mostly likely a false pregnancy. My dog had one before she actually got pregnant. She gained weight and everything. My kitten was spayed back in February and she has been getting some belly fat hanging down in front of her back legs but doesn't mind if we rub her stomach or anything. It could just be that, I've noticed with all spayed female cats that they do get some weight gain there but I would def. take her to your vet just to make sure nothing is wrong especially is she acted like she was in pain.
2 people like this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I hoping that she's just fat...although if she is I have to put her on a diet. and, like you said, that wouldn't explain her reaction....so off to the vet she goes.
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I'm a cat breeder. I've had cats spayed that had reactions to the sutures and reacted like that, but of course it happened a lot sooner after surgery than this. I'm thinking that it still could be some sort of infection because of the surgery however. I would watch the cat very closely and if she's acting at all like she doesn't feel good, I wouldn't wait until Monday to take her.
1 person likes this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
22 Apr 07
Thank you so much for your advice. Based on everyone's recommendation, I decided to call her vet today and take her in tomorrow rather than wait until Monday. She isn't acting sick at all, but I'd rather be safe than lose her.
@jennifer611 (2514)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I think the best thing to do would be to contact a vet.. or even just call a emergency vet clinic and ask them what it could be...I hope everything turns out well for you and its just some normal kitty thing..
Good Luck!!
1 person likes this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
21 Apr 07
Oh - poor baby - I sure hope she improves soon. Of coure the best thing is to take her to the Vet as soon as possible, especially as she seems to be in pain. The only good thing I can see is that it probably isn't a cancer or anything truly serious, because cats lose weight with that - not gain it, - and things like that are not necessarily painful to the touch. It may be that she has an infection from the spayng operation, that has swelled up and is causing her pain. Or perhaps some bowel problems - causing a constriction or constipation. Please let us know how she is.
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
22 Apr 07
She still isn't acting like anythign is wrong, except if I try to touch that area. She's eating well, playing well, no bathroom issues (yes, I actually made a point of noticing). But based on everyone's advice I called the vet today and she is willing to take a look at Rain tomorrow when she goes in to check on the animals they are boarding at the clinic. So I'll find out tomorrow what's wrong...
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I hadn't considered the possibility of a spider bite or hernia...and she does love to play in the basement (which is full of spiders and bugs). Thanks for the idea...I'll look for some kind of mark later when she's asleep and relaxed.
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
22 Apr 07
There are all sorts of possibilities. I am glad that you are taking her to the vet. Do you have any 24 hour clinics in case it seems to get worse? I hope not, but you should find out to be prepared. I hope that all is well and it is just something simple! Good luck and let us all know what you find out! I will be thinking about you.
1 person likes this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I talked to her vet this afternoon and she is going to take a look at Rain tomorrow, just in case. Thanks for the good wishes.
@wildguy2 (1349)
• Canada
21 Apr 07
This may sound like an awful thing but could it have been possible she was pregnant before the operation.? Could be something may have went wrong with the operation as well, please take her soon as possible to the vet, I hope she is well, and please keep us informed on what happens.
1 person likes this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I don't think there's anyway she could have been pregnant...if so, they would be the most overdue kittens ever. We got her in October and from then on she has been an inside only cat with no exposure to the male of the species. But good thinking anyway.
I'm actually more concerned about your second option. She is a wild child and was trying to jump on things before her anesthesia completely wore off and she ripped out some of her outside stitches, but when she went in for her two week chek up, she was okay.
If she hadn't reacted like she was in pain, I might still think it was just weight gain, but her reaction makes me worry.
1 person likes this
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
21 Apr 07
My deceased cat, Leo, who was 12 years old last year, had something similar. His middle looked unusually large, and when I took him to the vet, the vet said that Leo had tumors in his gut and could not be saved. The only thing that I could do was to keep the cat comfortable. A few weeks later, I returned home to find Leo's lifeless body clinging to the side of the sofa. When I asked another vet about the cat, she said that Leo might have had a stroke or a heart attack.
A tumor is a possibility, but hopefully, it is a remote possibility. I hope that you get good news about your baby and that all he needs is some medicine.
1 person likes this
@moonshadow68 (723)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. Rain is only a year old, so I hope she's in good health, but we'll let her vet decide.
Thanks for your good wishes.
