Tummy problems

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Flyer - 04 Jun 2007 08:59 GMT

I have two cats, from the same litter, one female one male. Both are about
15yrs old, and of indeterminate species ;-) They were spayed at an early
age, and as a result, have stayed home, only venturing into the back garden
to do "their thing" Now the female is smaller than the male, but her tummy
seems to have swollen out in recent days, she looks a bit like a miniature
donkey!
She's not a big eater as it is, never has been, but picks at her food,
unlike her brother who generally eats his in one sitting, so to speak!. She
doesn't appear to be in any pain, just looks "odd" with this distended
tummy. Before I take her to the vet, is there anything I can do? Must say,
in the 15yrs we've had them, they've been healthy. Could it be worms maybe?

P.
(In the UK)

Reply to this Message

Upscale - 04 Jun 2007 09:45 GMT

"Flyer" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message

> tummy. Before I take her to the vet, is there anything I can do? Must say,
> in the 15yrs we've had them, they've been healthy. Could it be worms maybe?

You've got to be kidding, right? How in hell could *anyone* know what's
wrong with your cat? Even in your wildest imagination, how could you think
there would only be one diagnosis for your cat's distended stomach and
someone could suggest the cure?

My mistake, you do think that or you wouldn't have asked the question. I'm
really surprised your cats have been healthy all these years. With your
innate stupidity, I'm surprised you didn't accidentally destroy your cats
years ago.

Obviously, the cat's stomach is distended enough for you to be concerned, so
get mad at me or curse at me and then channel your anger into sufficient
consideration for your cat. Get off your ignorant butt and take the poor
animal to the vet.

Reply to this Message

Flyer - 04 Jun 2007 12:00 GMT

> "Flyer" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
>> tummy. Before I take her to the vet, is there anything I can do? Must
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> there would only be one diagnosis for your cat's distended stomach and
> someone could suggest the cure?

It's not a case of there being one diagnosis, but I do know there are common
ailments that afflict all beings, cats & humans alike. Sometimes these
ailments can be cured by a trip to the pharmacy rather than the doctor in
the case of humans, so maybe this one might be a similar case? I don't know,
hence the question. As I said, both cats have experienced good health for
15yrs, so anything (to me) is out of the ordinary. Maybe someone might
suggested a probable cause and possible course of treatment toconsider,
hence the question. Having read this,and other newsgroups, worms seems a
common ailment amongst both cats & dogs, hence the suggestion. If you had
said, "it doesn't seem similar to the symptoms associated with worms" then I
would have been a little better educated.

> My mistake, you do think that or you wouldn't have asked the question. I'm
> really surprised your cats have been healthy all these years. With your
> innate stupidity, I'm surprised you didn't accidentally destroy your cats
> years ago.

What is it with some folk these days, you ask a quesion, however misinformed
it might be, and all you get is abuse? Doesn't civility mean anything any
more?

> Obviously, the cat's stomach is distended enough for you to be concerned,
> so
> get mad at me or curse at me and then channel your anger into sufficient
> consideration for your cat. Get off your ignorant butt and take the poor
> animal to the vet.

I'm not mad at you, just a little surprised and disappointed by your
reaction. Maybe I shouldn't be. At least I should thank you for at least
replying to my post.

P.

Reply to this Message

Upscale - 04 Jun 2007 15:47 GMT

> It's not a case of there being one diagnosis, but I do know there are common
> ailments that afflict all beings, cats & humans alike. Sometimes these
> ailments can be cured by a trip to the pharmacy rather than the doctor in
> the case of humans, so maybe this one might be a similar case?

You're completely missing the point. There's so many things that *might* be
wrong with your cat other than simple indigestion that it's ludicrous to
consider that one type of treatment could possibly be the cause. *If* you as
a human had a similar problem, you'd have a pretty good idea what pain if
any you were in and be able to express to what degree of discomfort you were
in. Your cat can't do any of that. To arbitrarily attempt one specific type
of treatment because cats commonly suffer from a particular ailment is just
simple guessing.

Reply to this Message

Diana - 04 Jun 2007 15:47 GMT

> > "Flyer" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> >> tummy. Before I take her to the vet, is there anything I can do? Must
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> said, "it doesn't seem similar to the symptoms associated with worms" then I
> would have been a little better educated.

[snip]

It most certainly is not similar to the symptoms associated with worms!
Your can might have worms, but something else is causing the distention.
Most of the possible causes I can think of could only be diagnosed and
treated by a veterinarian. I'd get her there rather quickly, if I were
you.

Diana

Reply to this Message

Flyer - 04 Jun 2007 17:16 GMT

>> It's not a case of there being one diagnosis, but I do know there are
>> common
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> treated by a veterinarian. I'd get her there rather quickly, if I were
> you.

Already have Diana, and the prognosis isn't promising. She's in no pain, but
the vet seems to think a laparoptomy is the most likely next step, but
because of her age, and depending on what ithe procedure might find, he
would want permission to terminate her if the need arises. Not an easy
decision, believe me. In herself she seems as per usual, I guess we are more
concerned about her tummy that she is.

P.

Reply to this Message

Diana - 05 Jun 2007 01:07 GMT

> >> It's not a case of there being one diagnosis, but I do know there are
> >> common
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> P.

I'm so sorry. Figured the prognosis might be grim. The very good news
is that she is OK with it all. Animals can have a wonderful acceptance
of the inevitable. And she is in no pain at the moment.

A laparoptomy just means having a look through a laparoscope, correct?
Would this be hard on her, considering her age? I suppose the
anesthesia might, but I believe they can determine, via some blood
analysis or other, whether she can tolerate the anesthesia. Oh, dear.
I suppose it all ought to depend upon the likelihood of finding
something fixable. Can the vet make a stab at the probability of that?
Again, at her age I suppose the greater probability is a malignancy.

I myself would be tempted to let it go, love her, and monitor closely
for the indication that her comfort is in jeopardy. But that might not
be the right thing...

As you say, not easy. So sorry.

Diana

Reply to this Message

Flyer - 05 Jun 2007 07:30 GMT

>> Already have Diana, and the prognosis isn't promising. She's in no pain,
>> but
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> is that she is OK with it all. Animals can have a wonderful acceptance
> of the inevitable. And she is in no pain at the moment.

as far as we can tell she isn't, but you know cats, enigmatic at best ;-)
Her brother is currently having a "mad half hour" as we call it, chasing
shadows (his favourite pastime), usually he's asleep by now, after breakfast
;-) Oddly, though they are from the same litter, they don't appear to have
got on too well, there's always a bit of hissing when they're together for
any reason, usually from him. Guess in that respect, they're just like us
humans, sibling rivalry ;-)

> A laparoptomy just means having a look through a laparoscope, correct?

not too sure, the vet probably didn't explain it well, or I didn't
understand it fully, but I got the impression it was invasive surgery, I'll
need to do a little research I think, we've been told to think about it and
let him know what we want to do.

> Would this be hard on her, considering her age? I suppose the
> anesthesia might, but I believe they can determine, via some blood
> analysis or other, whether she can tolerate the anesthesia. Oh, dear.
> I suppose it all ought to depend upon the likelihood of finding
> something fixable. Can the vet make a stab at the probability of that?
> Again, at her age I suppose the greater probability is a malignancy.

he did say he suspected a growth, her heart was ok apparently. She's usually
a bit of a whinger, complains a lot at times, but she was as good as gold at
the vets, putting up with the poking around without a sound.

> I myself would be tempted to let it go, love her, and monitor closely
> for the indication that her comfort is in jeopardy. But that might not
> be the right thing...

I think, not certain yet, that's our thinking too.

> As you say, not easy. So sorry.

thanks, I'm beginning to see why they call us Brits a nation of pet lovers,
it's hard, they become members of the family, they're not just pets after
all..

P.

Reply to this Message

Upscale - 05 Jun 2007 19:29 GMT

"Flyer" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message

> he did say he suspected a growth, her heart was ok apparently. She's usually
> a bit of a whinger, complains a lot at times, but she was as good as gold at
> the vets, putting up with the poking around without a sound.

I apologize for my critical comments earlier and I'm glad you've taken your
cat to the vet. It just drives me nuts a bit when people have a good idea
that there's something wrong with their pet, but stop to ask questions that
really can't be answered online, all the while, there's a good chance their
pet is silently suffering.

Reply to this Message

Flyer - 05 Jun 2007 23:15 GMT

> "Flyer" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> their
> pet is silently suffering.

Apology accepted, and upon re-reading what I put, maybe I phrased it
wrongly. I think, in all honesty, it was me seeking some assurance that what
was wrong wasn't as serious as I thought it might be. Never having come
across cat ailments before, I didn't have a clue, but tend to think it might
be something common and non life threatening, Like I said, both cats have
had good health all their life, so problems aren't something I've come
across, and as with children, you tend to fear the worst, even if it's only
a cold ;-)

P.

Reply to this Message

Gill - 06 Jun 2007 19:06 GMT

>>> Already have Diana, and the prognosis isn't promising. She's in no pain,
>>> but
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>>> more
>>> concerned about her tummy that she is.

[Snip]

>> A laparoptomy just means having a look through a laparoscope, correct?
>
> not too sure, the vet probably didn't explain it well, or I didn't
> understand it fully, but I got the impression it was invasive surgery,
> I'll need to do a little research I think, we've been told to think about
> it and let him know what we want to do.

It sounds like a "laparotomy" (no 'p'). Here's the definition:
http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Laparotomy

Considering that she seems NOT to be suffering at all I don't see why the
vet wants permission to terminate her if he/she finds the wrong thing during
the operation. If I was in that position I would INSIST that whatever is
discovered she is NOT to be terminated but stitched back up & allowed to
recover. Then, if it is something fatal she can live out her remaining days,
weeks or months at home. If the vet didn't agree to that then I'd find
another vet. If she was suffering it would be different but you say that she
appears to be quite content.

Not all vets are equal and I find that some are too damn ready to put a sick
cat down instead of fighting to save her or to give her a little more time
especially if the cat is elderly. If only feline life was as revered as
human life - and would they ever do that to a sick human?

It's very natural to think the worst but it may turn out to be something
which can be cured. There are lots of non-fatal reasons for a cat to have a
distended abdomen. (Try googling: cat distended abdomen).

All my best wishes & prayers to you & your little one. I really hope that
it's not anything serious.

Gill

Reply to this Message