Big belly

[fluffytail]

So the real fluffy tail has been an indoors cat since we adopted her. She has never been a lap cat, preferring to observe us from afar. She's always been particular about food, eating 2 pouches a day and not really that bothered about human food. We were told she's been spayed. We recently moved to a house with a cat flap and she's loved going outside.

All of a sudden though she's obsessed with food, eating everything in sight. She's also started sitting on our laps for hours, purring away. During one of these times I found a hard lump in her fur. On closer inspection it was one of her nipples which appeared much bigger than usual. She's also got noticeably fatter around the belly.

Any suggestions about what's going on?

She wasn't spayed?

If you are hoping for any explanation other than the obvious, then you are going to be disappointed, Op.
There be kittens in there.

We'll be wanting photos when the great day arrives.

Oh dear. Yes, we were hoping for some kind of mysterious feline condition which causes false pregnancies. She's 11 so not exactly a young cat. Haven't moved in for more than 10 seconds and she's putting it about.

Better get her to the vets...

Marking place for cute kitten pics in a few weeks time

Or less.

Unless she's discovered the joys of hunting and is stuffing herself with mice. Doesn't explain the nipple thing though. Congratulations, you are going to be a grandmother!

Fluffy cat is not appreciative of everyone calling her a floozy.

Managed to get an appointment for tomorrow afternoon so we should know for sure soon.

Your cat is pg.

Well of course - she's not a floozy.

Just a very fun-loving girl!

She's very sweet.

Yes not a floozy, just erm friendly with the new neighbours

So fluffy cat is not preggers. It's a build up of fluid apparently. She needs lots of other tests to make sure she doesn't have a heart condition

Oh that's rubbish news. When can they do the tests?.

It's lucky you took her to the vets, lots wouldn't.

At least you got her to the vets. That's good.

Feel like a horrible neglectful pet owner. The vet said she's in awful condition because she's so tiny. She's always been that size ever since we got her and we've seen lots of vets in that time. She's eating loads and pooping like normal but he kept asking over and over again if she was eating.

We've got an appointment on weds so should know more then.

Only just come to this thread. I would have thought at her age it might be less likely for her to be pregnant and for it to be a fluid build up- ascites. I would think your vet might suspect heart disease which affects her lungs. Might suggest some diuretics and heart work up- ultrasound/ECG/radiography.

Snowcurl that's exactly what he thinks. He couldn't take blood as she got too distressed when they clipped her fur but they're going to do an ultrasound on weds.

Another couple of problems you may encounter in older cats are hyperthyroidism and renal disease. Have you noticed her drinking/urinating more than normal? Any change in her behaviour? Aggression? X

X post... she's started drinking outside but before she'd have a small bowl every few days. Her behaviour is more affectionate if anything, she's turned into a lap cat in the last few weeks.

Poor lass. Yes, it can be hard to get blood samples when they are agitated. Would think they would try again to look her at how her organ systems are functioning. May ask you to collect urine sample too. Will she be going in for the day or just that procedure? X

X post again. Does she seem lethargic at all? It could be that she is a bit more affectionate as she's feeling a bit rotten. Don't feel like a bad owner, BTW. Sometimes it takes a while to spot these things when you see them all the time x

Just the ultrasound and they'll try to take blood again.

We're a bit worried our insurance won't cover her as she's always had a heart murmur and we've only arranged cover in the last year.

And again! She's always been sleepy but likes to sit near rather than on us. She used to jump off if we gave her cuddles. Just recently though she'll jump on anyone sitting down.

:) love a bit of furry loving. Cats can mellow as they get older. I've known a few more wild ones suddenly feel a need to be stroked more etc.
Normally, if she had a pre-existing heart murmur there are likely to be exclusions in the policy on anything heart related. Do you know where your policy is? It should be in the paperwork.
They might well suggest giving her a sedative so that they can do the ultrasound without her being too wriggly, so don't be alarmed if this is suggested to you. I would suggest keeping an eye on her over the next few days. Perhaps keep a note of how much she eats. If you notice any unusual breathing patterns then I would give them a ring ASAP as breathing problems are quite serious. Give lovely fluff bum a groom too. Can help them feel a bit better and also gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with her bodily condition. Xxx

Thank you so much, snowcurl. I feel much better about everything. I'll have a look at the policy but I don't really care if we have to pay for treatment, I just want my little fur baby healthy.