Poorly stray cat (pics included)

[randomlygenorated]

We have a cat that lives on our little small holding, has done for years in the sheds and out houses, seems friendly but pretty timid, will come to the couple of houses on the land and get fed but won't even come inside without massive amounts of coaxing and even then the slightest noise and she runs away

She must be at least 10 years old and that's minimum, also we're pretty sure she's a he but is referred to as a she!

Anyway the last few weeks we have noticed her belly becoming quite swollen, she seems a lot slower and we have managed to get her in the house with little problems which is unusual, also her meow seems weaker.

I don't think there's a chance in hell we will get her to a vets due to her fear of coming inside and I think it would be extremely traumatic for her, has anyone seen this before or have any experience with what it could be, or what we can give her/to help?

even though she's a stray (I think she must have belonged to someone at some point as she does like a stroke and is friendly, just spooks easily) she is very loved and were all really concerned for her

TIA

Ps, please ignore the mess in pics, she came round while I was half way through putting shopping away!

Can you speak to Cats Protection

A swollen tummy can indicate bladder problems, especially if she is a 'he'. My old cat's tummy swelled up because he couldn't wee properly and this affected his kidneys - he needed extensive vet treatment but lived another two and a half years afterwards. If it is that, your stray will need to see a vet ASAP because left untreated the consequences would be awful. Perhaps a local cat rescue could help you get vet attention for the cat?

Can you get a shot of her arse end with her tail up?

Because s/he looks more pregnant than terminally ill to me.

Is she looking for little hideyholes, by any chance? Like under your bed or in a wardrobe?

Cat protection will just say vet or RSPCA. Are you sure it's a female, she could be having kittens or either sex could have health problem. Can you get it to a vet for a check up. Someone local might have a cat carrier.

Have you felt the stomach? Kittens would be easy to feel at that size!

Cats protection should be able to help

Looks pregnant.

I think you should try and get her to a vet. If you can't catch her, ask the vet if they have a cat trap you could borrow. Once trapped, cover the trap with a blanket. I know it seems harsh, but it might be something easily treatable.

I vote pregnant too.

Poor thing, a quick google is terrifying. S/he can’t be well at all.

CAUSES

There are several causes for the occurrence of fluid buildup (or edema) in the abdomen, including abdominal bleeding, abdominal cancer, inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, a ruptured bladder, liver damage, and low levels of protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia). Right-sided congestive heart failure, in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, is one other possible cause, and a medical condition known as nephritic syndrome where the cat has protein in its urine and high cholesterol levels in its blood may also be responsible for fluid buildup in the abdomen.

Bless her heart, please try and do something to help thats probably why shes coming to you. Trap her in a basket and vets, she might not like it but its for the best. Good luck.

Definately get her to the vets - yes they all hate it but if she's pregnant you will be helping her kittens too.

Either pregnant or has FIP. Either way she needs to be taken in immediately. You need to get a charity to trap her - right now! This can't wait even a few days. Cats Protection or you may have independent rescues near you. Often private vets have automatic traps they can lend too.

Can you ring around the local vets and see if any offer a home visit? Or CP might know of some that do. Our vet does this for cats who are near impossible to get into a carrier, though it does cost twice as much as a regular appointment.

If you can get her into the house, you can easily get her into a carrier. Just block all exits.

When my spayed cat looked pregnant it turned out to be heart failure.

I don't think she is pregnant as she's been there for years and apparently not looked pregnant before.

She'd have to meet a travelling Tom, though, if you don't have one.

If she is pregnant, there's not much time before they arrive.

Oh yes, or heart failure. Can you definitely not get her into the house?

Years ago a stray turned up at our old house with a swollen belly like that one you have. I couldn't let him inas I had 2 cats and a dog, the cat he was a boy. I had a brick outhouse just over from my back door and put food and water down telling myself if he was still there tomorrow I would take him to the vets. Next morning I went to check on him and he was dead I figured it was heart failure I felt sad for him and if I had the time back I would have taken him to the vet right then so get him to the vet right now check if his heart is rapids and are his eyes contracting that's the give away that it's his heart