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?

We had a cat who was kitten sized her whole life and had a vet question once if we were starving her.

You're not a horrible owner at all.

Not at all. Some cats are just a bit runty (no offence for fluff, of course ). That can't really be helped once they are fully developed. But obviously now she's a bit older she will be more prone to various diseases associated with old age so make sure they weigh her and make a note of it, that way you can keep an eye on it. X

Thank you so much both of you. I wish our vet had explained things a bit better. I just felt so awful that she could be so unwell and he made such a huge deal about her being so small when I know she's always been that size.

I often used to find owners coming out of their consults would not fully understand what was going due to inadequate explanations. I think (no disrespect to Drs, vets etc) sometimes when you are used to medical knowledge and its terminology and used to examining your patients etc it is easy to slip into autopilot and forget that not everyone thinks the same way you do or speaks the same language don't be afraid to ask! You are entitled to do so. It is your companion and you are paying for a service (if that makes you feel less awkward about asking). You are not being rude, you are trying to understand what is being done and why so that you can give better care to your cat x

Oh no, I feel terrible for saying she was pregnant now. Hope the vet can sort it out quickly.

Get well soon puss puss

I hope she's feeling better soon.

You're not a terrible owner at all. Some vets/doctors just lack people skills. I remember when Harry was at the vet for his fractured jaw and the vet kept saying how he was fat and needed to lose weight and we'd have to do something about it. I felt terrible, but when we saw our usual vet she said he was fine as he was and was worried about him when he lost weight!

Oh poor little cat. What a shame. Hope it gets sorted out for her, and you get some more time with her.

Change her water at least once a day, even if she hasn't drunk all of it. Quite contrary when they drink from manky puddles.

Wishing your cat, and yourself, well.

*...forgot to say , offer water in a wide dish, preferably china.

So sorry you've had such unexpected news. My cat was diagnosed with HCM and heart failure last year. I don't want to give you false hope but his prognosis was extremely poor, but he has had a miraculous result with the right drugs. Only thing I would say is, change vet if you don't have confidence in them. For this condition, my vet has managed all medication and saved my cats life. Can your cat be seen any sooner? My cat was started on treatment the same day as diagnosis.

Best of luck.

Weeds don't worry about it, we were convinced.

They can't see her any earlier, we already had to drive to our old vet on Saturday as the earlier app for one closer to home was weds. So we should get a second opinion too.

The vet said to give her as much food as she likes so she's busy polishing off her 3rd pouch of the day. We've been watching her drinking and she's had about 1 bowl over the course of 3 days.

Thank you so much everyone for all your kind words and advice.

Just a little update for anyone who is still watching. My lovely little fluff ball passed away yesterday. She stopped eating and was very lethargic. We saw the most professional and caring vet who explained everything to us, right down to cost and prognosis.

We are utterly heartbroken but feel that we did the best thing for her.

Sleep tight, little one.

I'm so sorry for your loss .

You did the right thing for her. Poor girl.

Oh bless her big kiss, kittie x

Such a shame. Sorry there wasn't a happy ending, Op.

Oh I'm so sorry.

I'm very sorry.

Oh fluffy that's so sad. I am really sorry. RIP fluffy cat

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope she went peacefully x

Sorry to hear that, you did all the right things

so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free at the Rainbow Bridge little one x