----------
I usually try to post positive things, but it seems like you are looking for
a reality here...

I assume Ian has been checked for the worms? I think the vet is
(unfortunately) trying to tell you that other than worms, ascites is a
symptom that is generally caused by any one of several very serious medical
conditions. In humans, 85% of cases of ascites are caused by liver
cirrhosis. After that, the second biggest cause is malignancy. Cause #3 is
congestive heart failure.

See: http://www.fpnotebook.com/GI37.htm

I'm so sorry this is happening to Ian. Everyone on this newsgroup has had
experience with losing pets and often to really nasty diseases. As I
remarked in another post to you, if your vet is unable to render a diagnosis
quickly, I would seek a second opinion with an internal medicine specialist.
Is the yellow fluid being analyzed? That should render a great deal of
information. Please keep us informed.
Purrs for you and Ian.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

Hi HC,

Has the vet checked for FIP? I don't know much about it other than it
can cause distended stomachs.

Our cat has a swollen stomach and had fluid drained and analyzed, but
that was after a surgery to remove her colon. Hers turned out to be a
septic infection -- basically her whole trunk area was contaminated and
infected. She was a very, very sick kitty. She had emergency surgery
(again...), and they spent hours cleaning her insides out, but she made it.

If this vet is puzzled, and if he is the one who did whatever procedure
it was that started this, you might consider getting a second opinion
very quickly. I don't know if I'd want to wait days for test results.
Any way at least to speed those up?

Good luck,

Rhonda